What Do Termite Holes Look Like? How To Identify Termite Damage

Identifying Termite Holes

Homeowners fear when they see any holes in their homes’ wooden beams or other structural elements. Before you panic, you need to realize that there are lots of insects and other reasons why there might be holes in your wood, but you should always further investigate. If it’s a termite hole, it will be about one-eighth of an inch in diameter.

Termites often migrate as part of moving on to find more food. So rather than leave your home unkempt, they try to cover these holes with cement they make from excrement. The nymphs do this tedious job within the colony, and you’ll seldom see a hole that goes uncovered.

Once the swarmers set on their journey to find a mate, the nymphs spring to action to seal off the entry and exit. Since you’re likely not accustomed to seeing these holes, it’s always best to have a pest control professional investigate for you. We have ample experience with termites, so we can quickly identify if these are new or old holes and if they’ve been caused by something other than termites.

Termite holes are often called exit holes, meaning they leave your home to build a nest elsewhere. You only see these with the dry wood termites, as the subterranean like to keep their nest underground. If you’re dealing with this variety, you will likely see mud tubes so they can travel incognito.

Key Factors

One of the first warning signs that people see that there are termites in the home is these knock-out holes, but it only means they’ve been there for some time. Since you can get holes of all shapes and sizes in your wood, knowing what to look for is best. A termite hole is about the size of a BB pellet.

Since termites are so small, they don’t need ample space to get in or out of your home. When the holes are sealed over, they look like they’ve been sealed with paste. This cement is made from their frass or excrement. They use saliva and feces to make a paste that dries rock-hard. This allows the nymphs to seal the exit hole to signal that it’s time to move on.

Signs of an Infestation

You know that knock-out holes are one way to see that you’ve got a termite problem, but there are other issues that you should look for too. Here are some of the most common:

1. Discarded Wings

During the spring, another thing that you often see is spider webs. Look closely at those webs, as you might see that some termite wings are tangled within them. Swarmers grow wings that they use to find a mate and only need these parts for a short season.

Once the mating rituals are over, they discard their wings as they’re unnecessary for daily life. So, you may see piles of discarded wings along their pathways or in spider webs.

2. Weak or Leaning Structures

Another issue that’s often discovered when the damage is irreversible is structural problems. Have you ever seen an uneven floor or a porch sinking on one side? Many things can cause these issues, but termites and their constant chewing can also cause them.

Over time, the constant digging into the wood weakens beams and other structures, and the damage they cause can allow the porch to collapse or be unsafe. Once the damage reaches these levels, it’s time to make significant repairs to secure the structure. Sadly, many people don’t realize they have an issue till it gets this bad.

Knocking on wood is one way to identify structural issues before something falls. Solid wood will have little sound, but wood damaged by termites sounds hollow and produces an echo. Since the termites eat the wood from the inside out, it’s easiest to find them by doing a knocking test.

3. Blistering Paint

Have you ever seen moisture get behind a wall and cause a bubble in the paint or drywall? Termites can cause a similar effect, though it’s not likely to be as significant. These bubbles are generated from the moisture that gets into the wall through the constant chewing of the termite.

These little insects use the saliva in their mouths to get through that wood, so all that moisture harms the wall. Any bubbles that appear should be investigated, as none of the reasons they form are good.

4. Mud Tubes

As discussed before, mud tubes are created by underground or subterranean termites. They don’t use the same pathways as the dry wood termite, as they prefer to stay in total darkness and remain secretive. They make these tubes as a highway system to travel from the nest to the place where they feed. The tubes can be pretty intricate and are fascinating to look at, but they are proof positive of an issue.

5. Frass or Droppings

One of the most significant indications of a dry wood termite issue is frass. These little pellets look like grains of sand. They leave them in piles along their most traveled pathways.

You might mistake it for something else, but it’s excrement from the wood’s cellulose they’ve consumed. Also, note that the frass can change colors based on their diet. If they’re eating cedar or redwood, it might look quite different than a termite that’s dined on pine or oak.

6. Strange Mold and Mildew Smells

Another common complaint we often hear is that people have a strong mold or mildew smell but can’t find the source. Any home inspector will tell you that if you don’t have an issue with mold after being checked, the next place you should turn is a pest control professional.

Oddly, termites produce a musty odor and can smell like an old, wet basement. So, it can be termites if you’ve looked everywhere and still can’t find the smell.

The Importance of a Termite Inspection

Have you noticed things inside your New Jersey home that make you nervous about termites? Maybe you just want an inspection to put your mind at ease. We’ve helped hundreds of people in this area take control of their homes and eliminate termites. 

When in doubt, it’s always best to have us check it out. Termites are not something you want to let go a minute longer than they should, as the damage only multiplies as fast as the termites. Call us today for as detailed inspection to ensure there’s no activity within your home.

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