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HOME INSPECTIONS FOR WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS SIGNS OF TERMITE INFESTATION HOW TO INSPECT FOR TERMITE ACTIVITY PICTURES OF HOME INSPECTIONS AND WOOD DESTROYING INSECTS SIGNS OF TERMITE INFESTATIONS Some of the following is excerpted from the NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests, available through the NPCA(National Pest Control Association) Resource Center: NPCA The following list indicates common signs of a subterranean termite infestation. It is recommended that you have your house thoroughly inspected by a pest control professional trained to detect the sometimes subtle signs of termites. The presence of mud-like material which lines the galleries in an irregular pattern. Termites may excavate the wood so that only a very thin layer of wood is left on the surface between the cavity and the outside. Then this layer is broken, they will cover the holes with mud like material, used to make the tubes. This is a mixture of soil, feces, and saliva. Swarmers: The appearance of a swarm of what you would call "flying ants",especially near light sources This indicates a nest may be near. A "swarm" is a group of adult male and female reproductives that leave their nest to establish a new colony. Swarming occurs when a colony reaches a certain size. Swarming is most common in the spring (March, April, May, and June) and occasionally autumn (September and October).     Most swarmers emerge during the day, most frequently on warm days after rain. Swarmers found outdoors near tree stumps, railroad ties, etc., are not an indication that your house is infested, but are present on the outside only. On the other hand, finding swarmers indoors often means that you have a termite infestation within your house. At first glance, swarmers and ants look similar, but can be distinguished by certain physical features. At Differences between ants and termites there is a picture and list of differences. Mud Tunnels: Subterranean termites maintain their headquarters in the ground and build "mud tubes", pencil-size, that connect the nest (moisture) to the food source (wood).The tunnels may contain broken mud particles with fecal materials. Mud tubes or shelter tubes are proof of termite infestation, but their absence does not necessarily mean that a structure is free of termites. The insects may reach sills and other wood members through cracks or voids in the foundation wall, under the outside stucco, or from earth-filled porches, steps, terraces, or patios. You can break open tubes to determine if termites are still active inside. Termites often rebuild damaged tubes, another indication of continued activity. Old tubes are dry and will crumble easily. Subterranean termites construct four types of tubes or tunnels. Working tubes (left) are constructed from nests in the soil to wooden structures; they may travel up concrete or stone foundations. Exploratory and migratory tubes (center) arise from the soil but do not connect to wood structures. Drop tubes (right) extend from wooden structures back to the soil. Regents of the University of California © Piles of wings: The shed wings of swarmers indicate termites have entered their next phase of development. Live termites: Reproductive kings and queens are 1/2" long, winged and black or brown in color. Workers are sterile and usually hidden within infested wood. They are 1/4" long, wingless and white. However, the absence of finding live termites does not mean that they are not present in the structure. Buckling paint or tiny holes on wood. Damaged wood: Wood may appear crushed at structural bearing points. Termite damaged wood resonates with a dull thud (hollow sound)when tapped with a hammer. Pick and probe the surface of an infested piece of wood with a pen knife and you will find tunnels running parallel to the wood's grain. Finding termites in a structure does not mean you have an immediate emergency because the rate at which damage occurs is relatively slow. RETURN TO THE TOP INSPECTION FOR SUBTERREANEAN TERMITES : Needed a good flashlight, screwdriver or pocketknife and coveralls. You will need to look at possible trouble spots closely. Often this means crawling in crawl spaces. The presense of swarmers or their shed wings almost always indicates termite activity. A complete termite inspection would mean locating exposed shelter tubes and damaged wood. Generally speaking, Subterreanean termites are found at or near ground level. However, in warmer areas of the country they occasionally occur above the first floor level. Termite damage may be located by probing wood with a screwdriver, ice pick or knife. Inspection should be concerned with the exterior and interior surfaces of the foundation, particularly construction where wood is on or near the soil. Start inspection in the basement and use a bright flashlight. Look for mud tubes and the activity of swarmers. If necessary, get help from a professional pest control operator. You should inspect in the following areas as well: Any wood construction in basement and crawl space (if present). All sills, sub floors, joists, support posts, supporting piers, basement window frames, wood under porches. Pay close attention to places where concrete: steps, porches, or slabs join the wooden structure. All the hollow blocks, cracks in cement or brick construction and expansion joints. Any scrap wood on the exterior, old tree stumps, fence posts and exterior frames of basement windows.

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CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE

		Termite shelter tubes from bottom to top corner of basement window frame. Bottom corner. Note large accumulation of mud at lower corner, at grade elevation. Top corner. Note shelter tube stalagmite to left of 45° waste elbow.
		In inaccessible open area under breezeway slab, termite tunnels on abandoned concrete formwork.
		At bearing wall, sustantial accumulation of termite tunnels vertically along end of floor joists and severely damaged sill plate. Note installation of polybutylene piping.
		View of same location from crawl space side, termite tunnels at floor joist end L side, and mounded up at R side joist end.
		In basement water heater closet, termite shelter tube stalactites descending from overhead floor joists. Note shelter tube encircling metal water heater flue.
		Side view of same location showing stalactites, tubes on flue and vertically on concrete wall.
		In crawl space, termite tunnels on block foundation end end joist and hanging from floor joist. Note hanging tunnel at left foreground, measuring 3' below joist, and void through joist near end, at upper right.
		[top] Damaged joist under LR floor, split from loading after substantial activity of powder-post beetles. [middle] View of opposite side of split floor joist. [bottom]Under LR floor, joist weakened significantly by powder-post beetle activity; screwdriver is easily plunged into soft lumber.
		[top] Wood from floor joist, damaged by activity of powder-post beetles. Note disintegrated condition of wood at foreground. [bottom] Close-up of beetle boring holes.
		[top] Frass from carpenter ant activity at corner of crawl space. [bottom] Separate area of frass at adjacent foundation.
		[top] Termite shelter tubes in fan pattern along foundation wall. Note tubes developed along small-diameter copper tubing. [bottom] Shelter tubes vertically on foundation wall to sill plate and floor joist at left.

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©2000 Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, Inc. This work is the property of Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, Inc., including all copyrights and compilation rights. Use, reproduction, modification, or distribution without permission is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.

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