Termites are secretive pests so spotting them can be tricky. They can live undetected in hollow doors and wall voids for many years. Your first clue to a termite problem might come in spring when the reproductive termites of a colony, known as swarmers, fly away from their nest to mate and establish new colonies. After they mate and find a place to start a new colony, the termites shed their wings, often on your window sills. Because swarmers ressemble flying ants, many homeowners dismiss them. Big mistake. If swarmers like your house, their colony will follow. So if you spot a pile of discarded wings, there’s a termite infestation nearby, and it’s time to get a professional termite inspection.

Beyond spotting termite swarmers in spring, be on the lookout for frass, or termite droppings, which typically look like piles of tiny wood pellets or sawdust. In addition, check for mud tubes on exterior or basement walls of your home, usually near the foundation. They are easy to spot. Mud tubes are a sign that subterranean termites, the most common variety, have moved in. Made of soil and termite droppings, these mud tubes provide moisture, warmth and protection. To keep termites away, it’s important to remove moisture rich environments with proper drainage and keep firewood, mulch and wood chips away from your home.

Once you’ve looked for telltale signs of a colony, start looking for evidence of physical damage to your property in the following places:

• Floors—Check laminate or wood flooring and baseboards for signs of weakness, i.e., blistering or sagging. If your floor feels spongy or seems to spring more than usual, it’s time to check underneath.

• Walls—Look for unexplained cracks on walls inside the structure. As termites consume cellulose found in timber framing, plaster or sheet rock will shift and crack.

• Ceilings—Wooden ceilings, beams, and attic rafters are prime eating. Look for cracks on ceilings and cornices and watch for termites falling from recessed lighting and chandeliers.

• Foundation—Termites may not eat concrete, but they can squeeze into the tiniest crack between concrete blocks in a foundation. From there, they travel to wood floor joists. If you are building a new home or adding on, laying a chemical barrier beneath the concrete slab will prevent termites from traveling through foundation cracks. If you’re maintaining an existing structure, be aware that homes with crawl spaces are at even greater risk as their foundations are made of concrete and wood.

• Windows & doors—Are your windows and doors difficult to open? As termites tunnel through and eat their wood frames, alignment issues start to develop.

• Decking, fencing & trees—Take a close look at crumbling decks and wooden fence posts. Long-term damage could lead to collapse. Termite-treated wood or metal posts can help to fix this problem. If branches keep falling off trees in your yard, check to see if termites are at work.

• Roof Tiles—Loose, broken or damp roof tiles attract termites, giving them access to your home. So make a point to find and replace any damaged or water-logged roof tiles.

• Wooden doors, furniture & wooden structural supports – Termites typically feed on wood underneath the surface, keeping them out of sight. But as they eat through the wood, they create hollow spaces and therefore frass. Knock on that wood, and it will sound hollow.

DIY termite control is not an option. Subterranean colonies can extend hundreds of feet from your home, and their average depth is 18 inches. The earlier you notice and address the problem, the less property damage you will have. 

Termites will enter a structure via wood that touches the ground or by building mud tunnels through cracks in concrete slabs or holes where pipes penetrate the foundation. The mode of entry and behavior depends a lot on the local environment, season and weather, which underscores the importance of hiring expert local inspectors who know what’s typical in your area. Houses or commercial buildings—they don’t discriminate. Even buildings constructed on slabs or of concrete block or brick are at risk. Termites can work their way up a structure, eating insulation along the way to get to wooden beams, trusses and rafters. Feeding on the cellulose found in wood, plant material, and even paper or books, they often go undetected with no obvious signs of their presence until significant damage has been done.

Fumigation is most effective, but somewhat invasive. Homeowners have to pack up food and medicines and leave their property for a few days, up to 72 hours depending on weather conditions and the size of the property. All pets have to go, too. Once the structure is tented with tarps, a fumigant is released and allowed to circulate, reaching cracks and crevices where termites have tunneled. Termites then breathe in the fumigant, which depletes their oxygen and shuts down their nervous system.

A technician drills into termite galleries hidden behind walls and injects the application directly into infested areas. Knowing where to drill may require the use of a borescope. And, obviously, the drilling will leave holds in the walls that may need repairing.