How to Detect & Get Rid of Termites

Close-up image of termites in a piece of wood

Termites are tiny insects that gnaw into the wood to get cellulose for building their nests. While a single termite can hardly do anything on its own, millions of them can infest a home and cause widespread damage. Looking and listening for signs of termites is the only way to know if they’re damaging your home. With a bit of vigilance and some effort to keep termites away, it’s possible to rest easy knowing your house isn’t being eaten. When termites are discovered, prompt and professional treatment is the key to preserving the rest of the structure and reversing the damage.

What Do Termites Eat?

Person pulling at a piece of wood that has termite damage

Termites are famous for eating wood, which is why they can be a major threat to traditional wood-framed homes. Of course, they can also eat almost anything based on wood or wood pulp that’s also part of your home. Unless specifically treated to resist them, plywood and chipboard panels can fall prey to termites as well. Even paper and cotton clothing contain the cellulose that these insects are after. However, it’s generally the wood framing of a house that is at most risk. If you have a home framed with steel or another material, termites shouldn’t be a major concern for you, even if some wood materials are used elsewhere.

Signs of Infestation

There are many signs of infestation, ranging from the most obvious (and severe) to the hardest to detect.

Close-up image of what a termite mud tube looks like

Mud Tubes

Termites don’t live in the wood but rather build long and surprisingly flexible tubes of mud. They can be pressed up against vertical surfaces made of wood, such as piers or supports under the house, or dangling from floor joists. Inspecting a crawlspace for signs of mud tubes that almost resemble tree roots will help you catch termite infestations in progress.

Close-up image of damage to a piece of wood from termites

Damaged Wood

The majority of termite damage isn’t discovered until a weak spot develops in a floor or a beam lets out dust when cut during a renovation. Any damage to wood that can’t be traced to moisture exposure is a warning sign that termites may be active.

Piles of Frass or Wings

Frass is a polite name for the waste produced by the termites. It looks like little piles of brown dirt or balls of powdery dust. Small piles of frass can easily go unnoticed at first, but try to look for any dirt deposited below a small opening in the wall. This can indicate where termites are spreading rapidly inside the wall’s framing.

A cluster of termites on a piece of wood

Visible Swarms

Termites look like tan or light-colored ants that may or may not have wings. The best way to tell a termite from a flying ant is to inspect one and check the wings. Termites have even-sized pairs of wings, whereas flying ants will have larger wings in the front. If you’re unsure, getting termite treatment is better than being sorry you skipped it later.

A woman using a glass to listen to what's in the wall with a surprised face

Sounds of Gnawing

Try sliding a drinking glass over your wall and listening in a few different spots. If you hear any clicking, popping, or scratching noises, you may have termites. Mice will make sharp, distinct noises with their teeth and claws, but more diffuse and softer sounds tend to be termites.

Treatment Options for Termite Damage

Termite control by using chemicals injected into the soil

Physical barriers can be installed during construction to prevent termites. However, they won’t work for active infestations. At that point, chemicals are recommended because other methods will leave plenty of insects behind to damage the structure. Many homes need a combination of direct wood treatment, soil-applied treatments to discourage further infestation, and repairs with building materials treated to resist these insects. Trying to use a DIY treatment like borax is almost guaranteed not to work. It’s better to spend the money on a thorough treatment the first time rather than keep fighting these insects for years on end. Leaving damaged material in place is rarely an option. Preventing infestation in the first place is usually less expensive than trying to treat an extensive colony.

Preventing Termites in the First Place

Man inspecting for termites in crawl space

Building the house to keep insects out is recommended if possible. The EPA recommends installing layers of sand in a crawlspace, putting steel mesh in place between framing elements and other physical barriers. Long-term termite treatments also work to keep the insects away from your home. Finally, basic steps include clearing wood away from the home and trimming dying trees so that they don’t encourage the insects to move in nearby.

Termites can cause thousands of dollars in damage each time they infest your home. Even after thorough treatment, re-infestation is possible without adjustments to the structure and further chemical applications. Don’t let your home become damaged by these tiny insects when professional termite treatment is available year-round.

While do-it-yourself projects can be fun and fulfilling, there is always a potential for personal injury or property damage. We strongly suggest that any project beyond your abilities be left to licensed professionals such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Any action you take upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and we assume no responsibility or liability for the contents of this article.

How to Detect & Get Rid of Termites

What Do Termites Eat?