Signs of an Termite Infestation

Whether you live on the Jersey Shore, Hackensack, Atlantic City, Trenton, or anywhere in between, termites are a serious issue. Two types are prominent in the Garden State and are a significant threat. These are the Eastern subterranean and the Dark Southeastern subterranean species.

How do you know if you have termites in your home? People often don’t know what’s eating away at the wooden structures until it’s too late. Termites prefer to stay hidden, so your chances of coming across them are slim. Here are some tell-tale signs that an infestation exists.

1. Frass

Frass is an ominous-sounding term that’s used in the pest control world. Thankfully, this fancy word is just used to describe the droppings left behind by these pests. As the termite burrows deep into the wood, lots of sawdust is left from their chewing.

So, the best thing for them to do is push it out of the tunnels so they can continue working. Frass is filled with sawdust and excrement. If you see any of these piles that resemble sawdust, it means you have a colony nearby. Try knocking on wood near the piles; you will likely find they’re hollowed out from eagerly working insects.

Termite droppings or excrement are small little pellets. They’re about the size of a grain of salt. The color is often very dark, and it may even be black. It all depends on the type of wood the termite eats and the color of its feces. The pellets won’t be more than 1/20th of an inch in length. In New Jersey, the most common type of termite you encounter is the dry wood variety. So, the droppings you see left beyond look like wood shavings or sawdust.

People often don’t notice these piles of frass because they’re in inconspicuous places. If the termites are burrowing into the ceiling beams, the frass can easily fall into carpeting where it won’t be noticed. Here are the areas that you should pay special attention to when looking for termites:

• Windowsills
• Door frames
• Bannisters on your staircases
• Porches
• Basement and crawl spaces
• Corners of any rooms, especially ones for storage

If dry wood termites get into your home, they like to build their colonies in the eves or sub-roof of your home. Please don’t rule out that they can chew on the identical beams holding the floors or ceilings of your home together. Structural damage is a real problem, so you must watch out for frass.

2. Discarded Termite Wings

While termites drop excrement, there may be some other unsettling clues that they’ve invaded your space. If you see a pile of wings, it’s another sign that you’ve got an infestation on your hands. When termites are in their mating phase, they take a nuptial flight. It’s the same as in the ant species, so you must ensure these wings aren’t from ants.

In the spring of the year, termites swarm. “Swarmers” are termites that finally reach adulthood as they get wings. These wings help them mate, which is also another sign of maturity. Once they’ve completed their mission and reached their intended destination, they will discard the wings.

You might not see these wings as they’re small and translucent. One clue is that they fall in pairs, so it’s easier to identify them from other debris by seeing them in groups of two. The most common place to find these wings is on the windowsill and floor, and sometimes they get into a spider web hanging around.

When you find frass and wings throughout your home, take a screwdriver and tap near the area. The sound is hollow, like a drum, if there are termites inside. Try tapping on a few wooden areas in the home to identify what it should sound like versus what this area sounds like, as it can be beneficial.

3. Buckling Floors and Wooden Structures

Wood floors that are damaged will develop blistering. It’s like a blister on your skin as the wood swells in places. Once the floor expands, several of these weak spots will eventually buckle. Buckling is evident because the structure will sink or sag. Have you ever seen an unlevel kitchen floor?

There may be structural damage from settling over time or destruction from termites. It’s the subterranean termites that often cause significant damage to flooring. If you have natural wood floors, the surface of it may become discolored and have waves going across it from the internal harm.

It’s important to note that termites like softer wood like pine more than harder varieties like oak. The damage will be done over a period, so you may not notice until the floor starts buckling that they’ve invaded your home.

4. Termites in the Soil

Another significant indication that you have a problem is if you see live termites around your home. They will be in the soil outside, as this is where they live. If you’re remodeling or digging up in the flower garden and you see these insects, you need to call for an exterminator at once.

5. Dipping Ceilings and Buckling Support Beams

Termites are so dangerous to your home because they can shake the foundation by causing structural damage. Since they can eat their way through the support beams, these supports will buckle over time.

If they eat away at a beam that holds your kitchen ceiling in place, then it’s only natural that the ceiling will buckle. Many folks would guess they had a water leak or another issue, but termites may have caused this damage. If not given prompt attention, the ceiling can collapse. The costly nature of their relentless tunneling is a homeowner’s worst nightmare.

6. Odd Smells

Do you notice the smell of mold or mildew? These are indications of a water leak or damp area in your home. However, the biggest issue outside of the mold is that this is the preferred place to eat for termites.

When wood gets moisture into it, it becomes easier for them to feed. The smell of mold and mildew is hard to deny, so if you get this horrible smell in your basement or another area, it’s worth investigating it.

7. Termite Mud Tubes

Seeing mud tubes would be fascinating if it wasn’t for the costly damage caused. These little insects make boxes the size of a pencil that starts from the ground and goes to where they’re working. The tubes serve a few purposes.

First, termites don’t like to see daylight, so the mud tubes help to shelter them and keep them safe. Another benefit of these tubes is that they help to keep the air at the right temperature. See, your home isn’t always the best environment for these pests as it’s either too hot or too cold, depending on the season.

However, they’re safe inside these tubes because it keeps the air dry. Termites don’t nest in your walls; they eat there. They live underground. The tubes are the tunnel system that helps them get from their nest to their food source.

Significant Termite Issues Require Expert Attention

Termites are fascinating insects when you leave out the damage they cause to your home. Their social network is vast, and they can live up to 50 years. Their network includes the queen, workers, reproductive insects, and soldiers. While one worker can last up to 50 years, the colony can remain there indefinitely.

Please don’t attempt to treat this problem by going to your local hardware store. When the structural integrity of your home is at stake, you need professionals on the job. It would help if you had a technician who is well-versed in these matters and can help you. If you see any of these signs listed above or want an inspection for peace of mind, give us a call.

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