How to Identify and Control Termites

Termites are historically one of the most attention-grabbing structural pests. It's hard to believe, but termites are beneficial creatures—when they're not in your house. Their unusual digestive system allows them to eat wood, helping it decompose. That's good news for nature, bad news for the floor joists in your home.

They are notorious for the damage they do to wooden structures. Although most people are aware of the damage termites cause, it is rare to encounter this pest until you are suffering from a termite infestation. Because termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage each year, it is important to understand how to identify termites and possible signs of an infestation.

What Do Termites Look Like?

Due to similarities in their appearance, winged termites are sometimes confused with flying ants. However, if you look closely, there are obvious differences between these two insects. Here's how to tell them apart:

• You can often identify a termite by looking at the antennae. Termite antennae are straight and made up of tiny bead-like segments while ants have elbowed antennae without beading.
• Termite workers are soft-bodied and light-colored while ants are hard-bodied and dark.
• Termites have an abdomen that is joined broadly to the thorax, but ants have a waist that is more constricted.
• Winged termites have front and hind wings that are equal in size while winged ants have a forewing that is longer than the hindwing.
• There are different termite roles that affect the appearance of these insects. These include: winged termites (swarmers), worker termites, soldier termites, and king and queen termites.

Within a termite colony, individual termites can look different depending on their job or role within the colony:

• Winged termites are in the reproductive stage and have the job of starting a new colony. They can be male or female and range in color from pale yellow to reddish-brown to black, depending on the species.
• Worker termites are wingless and white or creamy white.
• Soldier termites are creamy white except for a darker, enlarged head that usually contains a large pair of mandibles. Soldiers do not have wings.
• King and queen termites are larger than workers and soldier termites. Egg-laying queens can be several inches long while the other roles range from ¼ to ½ inch in size.

Types of Termites

There are many species of termites, but the three most important termite species frequently encountered in the U.S. fall within the subterranean group of termites: the eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes), the Formosan termite (Coptotermes formosanus), and the western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus). Two Iess common types of termites are drywood termites and dampwood termites. Unlike their subterranean relatives, neither of these termites need contact with the ground for survival, but live directly in the wood they're infesting. 

• The eastern subterranean termite is the most common and widely distributed termite in North America. It ranges throughout all of the eastern, midwestern, and southern states.
• The western subterranean termite is as abundant in the west as the eastern subterranean termite is in the east. This termite is found along the entire Pacific Coast and eastward into Idaho and Nevada.
• The Formosan subterranean termite is the most aggressive and potentially destructive species in the United States. This termite invades areas with more mild temperatures, like those found along the Gulf coast.
• Drywood termites are found primarily in coastal regions along the southern U.S. from the Carolinas to California. These termites prefer to live in dry wood above ground.  
• Dampwood termites prefer damp conditions and are typically less of a nuisance than other termites. If you have a leak in your house, though, this may lead to rotting wood, which can attract these termites. They're typically found along the West Coast, in the Southwest, and in Florida.

Termites vs. Carpenter Ants

Many people witness wood damage and are unsure if they have a termite or carpenter ant problem. Here’s how to tell the difference: carpenter ants nest in decaying wood. They do not eat wood; rather, they meticulously chew, creating an appearance of wood that has been planed and sanded. Conversely, damage done to wood by termites will appear chewed-up and layered.

Signs of Termites Around Your Home

Here are some signs to look for to help you determine whether you have termites in or around your home. We'll take a closer look at these signs below to further explain what you're looking for.

• Mud tubes on wood beams, in crawl spaces, or on exterior walls
• Discarded wings near window sills or in other areas of your home
• "Hollow" wood structures in your home such as joists and beams
• Small piles of "Sawdust" near wood baseboards, window frames, or furniture 
• A swarm of insects coming up from the soil around your home

Check for Mud Tubes.

If you're out walking around your house and notice a strange tube of mud—sometimes several feet long—running from the ground up past the foundation, you could be looking at big trouble. That sort of formation is a telltale sign of subterranean termites. These termites need moisture. They also need wood to eat. Since the two are often not found together, the termites create a "termite highway" from the water source to the food source. When these tubes are found on the side of the house, it's as good a sign as any that the dwelling has termites in it.

Look for Wings on the Ground or Inside Your Home.

Winged termites swarm, often after a rain. If they swarm in your house, they probably emerged nearby. If you see wings on the ground, near window sills, or in other areas of your home, it's a sign that the termites have burrowed close by after having mated. 

Check Wood in the House.

You won't see big, fat beetle holes when you're looking for termites. Termites eat wood from the inside out, creating long tunnels and galleries out of sight. You have to look for other signs, such as an unusual presence of dirt near the base of a beam where dirt shouldn't be present. Also, use a pen knife to poke and tap on beams and joists. If the wood sounds hollow, dig at the wood to see if the wood is solid or not. Sometimes, if the termite chambers are close to the surface, the wood will appear cracked.

"Sawdust" May Be a Sign of Drywood Termites.

Drywood termites will drill tiny, irregular holes that would be virtually unnoticeable except for one thing: the termites kick their sawdust-like droppings out of them. If you see an unexplainable pile of sawdust next to wooden furniture or a baseboard, you may have termites.

Termite Swarms.

Winged termites swarm when leaving an existing colony to establish a new one. You may see a swarm of winged insects coming up out of your yard, or, much worse, inside your home. Termites at this stage are attracted to light, so if they're indoors, they'll typically fly towards windows or light fixtures. Typically, if you're seeing a swarm of termites either in your yard or house, it's time to call in a professional.

Watch out for Termites

Infestations can sometimes begin after your home has been through a hurricane or other strong storm. Silt and debris moved by flood waters can provide a bridge to allow termites to cross over bug barriers. Plus, storm damage can create termite-friendly conditions, like structural damage that allows termites access to your home, or wet, decaying wood that becomes a food source for the pests.

Termites can cause wood damage that undermines your home's structure. If you note any signs of their presence, be sure to treat them as soon as possible and take steps to prevent them from coming back. However, if termite damage seems extensive, it is a good idea to hire a professional. Careful, routine inspections will help you guard against further infestations.

Worried you might have a termite problem? You can create a barrier around your home using Ortho® Home Defense Max® Termite & Destructive Bug Killer (not available in MA, NY, or RI). Even after you've taken some precautions, it may be a good idea to call in a professional for an inspection and peace of mind. While you're waiting for your pro to arrive, read up on ways to prevent and kill termites here.