How to Identify Termite Infestations & Damage

Termite infestations can cause major damage to buildings and furniture – but you may not even see it for a few years. Most termite infestations are well-established before outward signs become visible. It’s best to become familiar with termite infestation signs, so you will be able to identify a termite infestation and get prompt treatment.

In fact, the National Pest Management Association reports that termites actually cause more than $5 billion worth of structural damages annually in the United States.

There are two main species of termites that are responsible for this damage: termites that live underground (subterranean termites) and those that live entirely in wood (drywood termites). Drywood termites can be found in the furniture, framing, and hardwood flooring of homes, whereas subterranean termites build colonies in the soil.

In the Southeastern United States, when the weather starts to get warm, termites start new colonies. These reproductive termites leave the nest at the same time, looking for a mate. This is called a “swarm” when a large number of termites are searching for mates. The rain and warm temperature facilitated this process. The winged termites emerge from soil, cracks, or holes looking for a mate, new nest sites, and food sources.

8 Signs of a Termite Infestation

1. Termite mounds
2. Hollow-sounding wood
3. Red clay or mud trails
4. Sagging of floors or ceilings
5. Mud tubes on exterior walls
6. Crumbling wood of any structure type
7. Cracked or distorted paint on wood surfaces
8. Groups of winged insects (“swarmers”) or discarded wings

Damaged wood can indicate a sign of termites or carpenter ants. If you notice your wood is cracked, caving, sagging, or hollow, your home may have a termite infestation problem, and termites may be silently feasting on your home’s structure.

Differences Between Flying Ants vs Flying Termites

Many people see flying insects swarming out of cracks in the floor or holes in the wall. They may look like ants, but they are often flying termites.

There are three things to look at in order to figure out whether they are ants or termites. It helps to have a magnifying glass for the identification process:

1. Ants are more active during the day, while termites are more active at night.
2. Flying termites have two sets of wings of equal length, while flying ants have two sets of wings of differing lengths.
3. Flying ants will eat any human food they can find (like crumbs), while flying termites feed on cellulose (which is what wood is made of).

Does Insurance Cover Termite Infestations?

Insurance policies refer to termites as “wood damaging insects.” But unfortunately, most homeowner insurance policies do not cover termite infestation damage because a termite infestation can be preventable. In addition, most insurance policies do not cover damages that are considered to be maintenance issues.

Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) Map

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Southeastern United States is in Zone #1, a very termite-heavy zone. The TIP very heavy zone also includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico.

Since termites are soft-bodied insects, they tend to stay hidden, which is why it is usually difficult to know if you have termites. Termites will dry out and die if they are exposed to sunshine and fresh air. Even though the termites are often out-of-sight, they can leave signs to show that they have been busy.

How Do I Deal With a Termite Infestation?

Termites pose a serious threat to your biggest investment: your home.

If you suspect that you have termites or if you have an inside swarm, it’s best to let a professional termite control service handle the termite treatment. Here at Lookout Pest Control, we offer both termite baiting systems and liquid barrier treatments to detect and eliminate termites in and around your home or business.

How Does Termite Bait Treatment Work?

Our termite baiting systems are installed in the soil around your home or business and will be monitored annually for termites.

How it works:

1. Termites tunnel under the ground, actively foraging for food.
2. When they come in contact with a bait station, they feed on the bait inside and share it with their colony.
3. The active bait used in the stations, noviflumuron, prevents termites from molting.
4. Unable to molt and mature, the termites die.
5. When the colony dies, so does the queen, which results in a complete colony elimination.

Professional Termite Infestation Control in the Southeastern United States

Did you know that termites can travel more than 100 yards in search of food? That means if your neighbor’s neighbor has termites, you could, too.

If you ever notice any of the above termite warning signs and believe you may have termites in your home, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today for more information about our termite treatments and our free evaluations.

Get started with a free termite inspection today by giving us a call!