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Signs of Termites


Summary: People are naturally scared of the unknown. What could be more terrifying than termites lurking unseen and unheard within the walls of your own home. The signs of termites usually include massive swarms of flying termites, mud tunnels or damaged wood.

If your house has become infested with termites you might not know it. You need to know how to look for signs of termites before it is too late. You need to know what termite damage and other termite evidence looks like.

Subterranean termites live underground and search randomly for food sources by building hundreds of tunnels leading away from their nest. Eventually, they find a good food source and lead other termites to it.

Subterranean termites will stay underground until it is time for them to

termite_alates.jpg
Winged Reproductives

reproduce. Then specific types of termites known as alates, or reproductives, will burst from the soil in a swarming mass. The flying insects swarm above ground for a short time, try to find a mate, and then die or return underground to start a new colony. This normally happens in the spring, but can also occur a second time in the fall.

If they happen to swarm out of their tunnels and find themselves inside your house they will probably fly towards windows because they are attracted to light and want to be outside. Luckily, they will die within a few hours indoors and are not dangerous. However, the swarm is Mother Nature's way of saying, “Call an exterminator, dear!” or buy some Termidor to do a termite treatment.

termite_tube.jpg
Termite Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites need moisture to survive, so they build mud tubes to travel across surfaces that they cannot burrow through. These tubes are brown, about the diameter of a pencil, and can be found on exterior walls, support beams or in crawl spaces. If you find tubes like this it is sure evidence you have a termite problem and a termite treatment is required.

Termites usually have one king and a queen that lays the eggs. Worker termites gather food, which is cellulose material like decaying wood or paper, and bring it back to the other termites in the colony. They use the tubes to protect themselves from predators and to keep them moisturized.

Termites usually stay below the surface of wood, so they can be very difficult to find, even for an expert. Darkened or blistering wood is another indication of an infestation. If wood is very thin and can be easily poked through or it seems hollow if you tap on it, it may have been damaged by termites. Sometimes ripples or indentations can be seen in the wood. Look for fecal

termite_damage.jpg
Termite Damage

pellets which are small and granular, usually white or black, or any small holes in wooden walls, baseboards or beams. These small holes might have a little sawdust around them where particles of wood have been pushed through.

Rotting wood is attractive to termites, so any wood that has been exposed to moisture should be checked first. Any siding like stucco, wood or even brick veneer coming in contact with the ground may promote termite activity. Termites can attack the siding materials without building exposed mud tubes and would not be detected with a visual inspection.

Keep attics and foundation areas dry by having good ventilation systems in place and seal any cracks in the foundation. Check utility and service boxes for mud tubes. Remove untreated fence posts, tree stumps and any other scrap wood from around your property. Any adjoining structures like sheds or garages should also be inspected to identify an insect infestation.

For more termite articles please click here .





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Comments

Jean
28 Jul 2009, 12:53
There is a swagged light fixture hanging over our dining room table. Twice recently I have noticed a small amount of "debris" on the table right under where the fixture is attached to the joists. Looking with a magnifying glass today, I noticed what appears to be two larvae, each no more than 3/16 of an inch long, with two hairy-like appendages coming from their heads. The rest of the debris appears to be mostly white (against our dark table) with a smattering of darker debris. What are we looking at here, and what do you suggest is our easiest solution?
Chris
28 Jul 2009, 14:03
Recently I have noticed small piles of dark colored like sawdust around 2 spots on my exterior, concrete patio and one in my garage. We live in AZ where it is very dry. There are no drainage issues, no moisture at all, it's very dry, I have gone looking for the tubes discussed of termites and see nothing, but a few days after I sweep there will be another pile in the same place. There have been no swarms, no unusual ants, any ideas?

Thanks,
Tina
31 Jul 2009, 10:23
A good friend of mine has found mud tubes coming out of the wall in her daughters bedroom. The landlord had everything sprayed around the foundation roughly 6 weeks ago. They have a crawl space under this duplex. With these now coming through the walls is the integrity of the house compromised?
Ask the Exterminator
31 Jul 2009, 10:25
If a complete sub-soil termite treatment was done it should control the infesting termites. If the treatment was just a surface spray of the soil, nothing has been controlled.
Elaine
01 Aug 2009, 15:23
I have noticed what appears to be debris of some kind that crumbles up popping out from my ceiling. I cleaned it off only to have it grow out of my ceiling again. When I took a paper towel to remove it, again this crumbling dirt like debris and now I have 2 tiny holes in my ceiling. What is causing this, is it termites?
mary
19 Aug 2009, 15:41
so the family i live with and i just noticed yesturday that there were small white bugs on the cups we had set to dry the night before. we washed down the board we set them on with bleach water as well as the cups themselves. today we noticed more of them but smaller than yesturdays bugs? could they possibly be larvae? what can we do to prevent futher damage without bombing our house?
LYNNE
30 Aug 2009, 20:14
Three weeks ago, i noticed a small amount of gravel-like material at the base of my house. I cleaned it away & poured a thick line of borax (white). It took 3 weeks but I now have about a tablespoonful of material on the borax.

Do I have termites eating my walls? If so, is there a way I can take care of the problem myself?
Lance
08 Sep 2009, 14:47
I noticed some pellets on the ground outside my house but they are dirt colored, not white or black. What could this be? I did not see any right up against the house.
niki
12 Jan 2010, 18:27
I have noticed a pile of what seems like black dirt. I sweep it and it returns and its becoming more daily.
at the base board in the bathroom. PLease tell me that its not termites!!!!!
carl Claude
26 Jan 2010, 08:12
what could cause dark colored sawdust at the base of my inside wall. I sweep it up it come right back.
carol skilling
09 Mar 2010, 21:57
For the past few days we saw a total of 5 of these little tiny jimmy-looking things left on the counter of the kitchen. With a magnifying glass, they seem to have 2 antennas. It also seem as if they're struggling to get wings out of the end of their bodies. We put them in plastic bags, but they died so couldn't see if they were actually wings. None since. Help? What are these things? Thanks for any help.

We don't know how these things got to be at the middle of the counter. Were they dropped?
R L Williams
21 Apr 2010, 11:35
I live in AZ and I have piles of black debris that looks like sawducst. Can you help me.
Nancy
03 May 2010, 12:23
I live in Ohio and I also have black piles that look like sawdust at the base of my wood trim at the front door. I don't see any insects of any kind. What could this be?
Sunny
07 Jun 2010, 17:57
I have just knocked two mud-like tubules off the brick facing outside my house. When I knocked them down, there were several spiders in there. What kind of spiders build mud tubules on brick?
Ask the Exterminator
08 Jun 2010, 08:54
The spiders are stored in the tubes as food for the mud daubers. The spiders are stung and stunned, but not killed. So, when you knocked down the tube the spiders were probably still alive.
Chaik
14 Jun 2010, 14:24
Sometime ago, I noticed pile of what looks like sand in my garage, close to the wall. I cleared it. It's back again, at the same spot. What could this be?
Ask the Exterminator
14 Jun 2010, 18:26
Ants!
Jack
05 Aug 2010, 12:10
Does anybody have answers for:

niki
12 Jan 2010, 18:27
I have noticed a pile of what seems like black dirt. I sweep it and it returns and its becoming more daily.
at the base board in the bathroom. PLease tell me that its not termites!!!!!

carl Claude
26 Jan 2010, 08:12
what could cause dark colored sawdust at the base of my inside wall. I sweep it up it come right back.
things? Thanks for any help.

R L Williams
21 Apr 2010, 11:35
I live in AZ and I have piles of black debris that looks like sawducst. Can you help me.
Ask the Exterminator
05 Aug 2010, 14:35
Sounds like drywood termites. Better call someone to inspect.
melisawatkins
17 Sep 2010, 15:01
What a great site! I just took a baby Formosan up to management of these apts, so they can tell the exterminator, bug guy, what is in my apt! If they are not sure I am, what insight and information you have made available to us! Thank You so much for your time and effort, and all the termite stuff, it is certainly appreciated here in Texas, mele
Manish
19 Sep 2010, 18:02
I am seeing some dust (kind of pinewood colored) nothing else. It is coming off from glued bath room mirror. I see them collected on sink every week. Not much but when I bang on that mirror, I see more coming off and gather on bathroom sink platform. What is it? Termite or ants or old glue? The dust is very well in shape and does not feel like wood but I am not expert. Thanks for any help you can suggest.
Ask the Exterminator
20 Sep 2010, 09:51
Termites don't create dust. It is more likely carpenter ants, if anything.
april wolanski
01 Oct 2010, 21:59
I have a 5 month old baby. Washing his things in the kitchen, bottles and all that goes with his feeding and noticed pellets on the counters. We definately have termites. I've moved his things to another room but fear that any contact with the fallings will harm both his health and mine????? Yes? No? AHHHH like I don't have enough to worry about, your advice and expertise please!!!
Ask the Exterminator
01 Oct 2010, 23:49
The frass from these termites is not loaded with bacteria as it would be with fecal material from a mammal. You will need some help from a pest control professional to stop the termites.
Donna
30 Oct 2010, 20:18
I live in AZ and noticed a thin dry tube coming down from my flourescant ceiling light. When I broke it open there were 2 hard cream colored pieces inside. Another small spot is growing back. Does this seem like termites? I'm having work done in another room but if this is termites, will they swarm?
Ask the Exterminator
31 Oct 2010, 08:36
Could be termites, but you should have an expert look at it to be certain.
Shannon
24 Dec 2010, 00:58
Alright so my family and I moved into this relatively new house about three months ago; the house is about two or three years old. In my room, I noticed these little tunnel like things and I brushed them away but there are these tiny little holes in the wall now. The tunnels keep coming back(normally in a different spot)!! I'm pretty confident that they are termites but I'm not certain. One of the tunnels had a couple of clear bugs that I imediately killed. We live in Arizona and it's pretty dry here. Also, we had an exterminator come and spray just before we moved in. What is going on? I'd really appreciate some advice here and also would like to know how to get my parents to get an exterminator over... So yea any advice would really help. Oh and if they are termites is there anything i can do to treat the problem myself? Thank you for listening
Ask the Exterminator
24 Dec 2010, 09:00
Sure sounds like termites. Ignorning the problem will only result in more costly repairs. That should get your parent's attention.

Termite treatments are the one pest control problem that homeowners cannot do themselves. You just don't have the equipment to do the treatment properly.
Cheryl Santos
05 Feb 2011, 16:21
I have just found a small amount of something, it kind of looks like sawdust, Please tell me what i should do or what it could be. Please e-mail my answer directly to my e-mail address Thank You Cheryl Santos
debi
21 Feb 2011, 18:05
The structure I live in was built in the mid 1950's. I have had a termite company come and inject poison in a hollow wall area in my home. He also checked everywhere else and said he did not see anything. However I am seeing tunnel like lines just below the paint surface in my ceilings and some of them are splitting open. There are also several very small brown looking holes in the ceiling in two rooms. Do you know what they are.
Ask the Exterminator
21 Feb 2011, 21:47
If they are Eastern subterranean termites it's going to take more than a little poison in the wall to control them. By the sound of what you are describing you have a full-blown infestation. Eastern subs need to be treated at their point of entry which is the soil surrounding your foundation walls. Hopefully you have some type of warranty in place so you can call the termite company back to finish to job.
maria
26 Feb 2011, 04:34
I FIND TERMITES ARE DRIVING ME NUTS, I HAVE THEM EATING MY WALLS AND SAND LIKE ON THE FLOORS IS CLEAR THEY ARE THERE AGAIN. MATTER NOT THE COST, I HAVE LOST MY FAITH IN COMPANY WORKERS.CAN I BUY THE FOOD PREPARATION TO ORGANICED BITES AROUND INDIDE THE HOUSE, AND UNDER THE WOODEN CABITE ON THE FLOORS? PLACES WHERE I CAN SEE ACTIBITY IN THE HOUSE LIKE FRAMES OF THE DOORS OF LAUNDRY, TOILET, AND BATH AREAS, AND NOT JUST OUTSICE THE BUILDING AS RECOMENDED WITH TERMADOR? WHICH I CONDIDER A NEED TO PROTECT THE BUILTDING UPON TARGETING THE ACTIBITY INDIE THE HOUSE? THANKS WHO SALES THIS TO THE ORDINARY PUBLIC IN PERTH, WA, I WANT TO DO IT MYSELF.
Ask the Exterminator
26 Feb 2011, 08:28
It does not appear you know much about termite biology. You need to understand how and where termites live in order to do a successful treatment. The termite colony could be located hundreds of feet away from your house, or it could be under the slab. You can certainly purchase Termidor right on this website, but you need to have a way to pump the material into the ground. You also need a way to inject Termidor under the slab of the house if any of the affected doors are interior doors. That is, doors that are not exits to the outside.

Go to http://shop.asktheexterminator.com and search for "Termidor" and read the product label to determine if you can do this job yourself.
Lori
25 Mar 2011, 08:58
I little while ago we noticed piles of grains, sand-like items in the middle of rooms, not near any walls. I cleaned it up. I thought it was our vents as we have metal framing and very little wood in the house. But after reading the comments I am concerned. What would cause odd brownish grains in the middle of rooms not near walls? Thanks for you help.
Ask the Exterminator
01 Apr 2011, 16:34
Could be dry wood termites, depending upon where you live. Collect some of the grains and take them to a pest control company for a free ID.
Bev
26 Apr 2011, 22:44
There were three small brownish bumps on the wall. We removed one bump and discovered a small hole that goes directly through the wall board. There are two more bumps still on the wall right next to it made of the same type of stuff. They are only about a fourth of an inch across. There are no insects visible. The hole is only a sixteenth of an inch or less in diameter. I live in Tennessee. What could make these bumps and holes?
Ask the Exterminator
27 Apr 2011, 08:51
It sounds like those "bumps" were the start of termite tunnels. You need to have a pro come in to take a look.
chrissy
30 Jun 2011, 19:58
I went to look at a house today that is 8 yearss old the window seals was cracked open with live termites and some of the base boards.what is the chances the walls are ate up to.i like to purchase this home but scared of the damage any suggestions?
Ask the Exterminator
01 Jul 2011, 09:12
Impossible to determine how much termite damage has been done inside the walls without opening the walls. You can "sound" the timbers, which means using a handled end of a screwdriver to tap along the walls. Solid wood makes a clear, solid sound, while damaged wood makes a dull thud sound. You can do this to "hear" the studs but you cannot tell if sill plates or any other wood has been eaten.
Jan
18 Jul 2011, 15:59
Outside my den on the ground I have found very, very fine sawdust of a light pine color. I showed one of my yard guys and he noticed a hole in a screen that it at the top of that outside wall. I don't know if the hole and sawdust are related but I would like your advice as to what the sawdust might be. Thanks so much!
Ask the Exterminator
18 Jul 2011, 16:13
Very fine powder may indicate powder post beetles activity. Carpenter ant frass is not powder-like. Termites don't leave behind any such material.

eli
25 Jul 2011, 20:52
We are noticing sawdust next to the walls inside our house. When we look up we see tiny holes through the ceiling. The sawdust is not consistent, but it does happen from time to time. Also, in one of our rooms there appears to be an ant pile forming from time to time. Any ideas?
Ask the Exterminator
29 Jul 2011, 13:40
Termites do not create sawdust, as a rule. It's probably carpenter ants.
aftab ahmed
04 Aug 2011, 09:21
I saw tiny hole in my bathroom ceiling about 1/16 inch three days ago and now it's doulbled in five days. No misture or water mark. Any idea!
Ask the Exterminator
05 Aug 2011, 16:21
Wasps? Ants? Termites? There are nearly 800,000 insect species. Perhaps you should have someone look at the problem.
marcia
05 Aug 2011, 18:18
I have winged ant/ termites coming in my bathroom window. I've killed the inside intrudger but they come back after a day or 2. And I killed a HUGE ants queen recently. Also, in my dressser drawers and walk in closet I noticed yellow looking grains. Do I have a big problem? Please e-mail me at the address given. My house was built in 1985.
Ask the Exterminator
08 Aug 2011, 12:22
Sounds a lot like carpenter ants. Not termites!
Mike
28 Aug 2011, 10:16
Hi, I saw some dust (or soil) like sand coming out behind the wood wall in the basement. I'm thinking it's just the residue from the wall b/c of the old wall (the house is about 60 years old) but I want to make sure it's not termite.

Is there anyway I can do the soil testing by myself? Thanks. Mike
Ask the Exterminator
29 Aug 2011, 10:00
It's not soil testing that you want to do, but sounding the surrounding wood to make sure it is solid. Termites will eat the soft wood grain leaving the hard wood untouched. When you tap on the wood with the handle of a screwdriver the will sound dull. There will be no resonance.
Komal
26 Sep 2011, 21:58
Hi, I have black dirt pile under my kitchen cabinet, i clean it, and it comes again. and i dont see any termites/wings/ants in the house. can you tell me what it could be and how to get rid of it.

Thanks for the help!!!
Ask the Exterminator
05 Oct 2011, 13:10
It is either insects or it my be caused by some vibration. Inspect the "dirt" for insect body parts. That is an easy way to tell.
Ashley
27 Oct 2011, 15:36
I found a pc of wood under my porch, and I broke it open and saw 2 white termites. Do you think I will have a huge termite problem with my house?
Ask the Exterminator
28 Oct 2011, 16:10
Not necessarily. It does tell you that termites are active and very near your house. If they discover a way inside they will attack food beams, flooring and studs. You may want to consider doing a preventative termite treatment.
BERNARD JULES
31 Oct 2011, 21:44
I have noticed black dust kind of ground coffee beans in one small spot in my house ,each time I clean it then the next day it back again,but I see no hole and not able to see where it comes from.Any Idea?

thanks
janet
09 Nov 2011, 15:01
While searching for costumes in a packed box In our garage, I discovered a whole lot of termite frass, live termites and larvae. I discovered the culprit and food source - a homemade hatchet (for a Native American costume, in case you were wondering) using a branch from our yard which they survived on for over two years! It was completely hollow! I shook out the costumes, vacuumed up all the frass and live termites and went through each item. I will wash those costumes that can be washed bit many have feathers or fur and cannot be laundered or dry cleaned. I'm worried about two things: Are the costumes that cannot be washed safe to use? I did all this work without gloves or a mask, is the frass any danger to me touching or inhaling?
Ask the Exterminator
10 Nov 2011, 05:28
Nothing to worry about with the clothing or contact. You should be more concerned about getting rid of the termites. Just because the termites went into hiding when you disturbed their food source does not mean the termites are gone. You should be speaking to a termite control company about treating your home for the infestation.
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