How to Identify Termite Damage

How to Identify Termite Damage

Termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage across the United States each year, and much of that damage goes undetected until it becomes severe. Learning to identify the signs of termite damage can help you catch an infestation early and minimize costly repairs.

Hollow-Sounding Wood

One of the simplest ways to check for termite damage is to tap on wood surfaces with a screwdriver handle or a hard object. Termite-damaged wood sounds hollow or papery because the insects have consumed the interior while leaving the outer surface intact. Pay particular attention to baseboards, door frames, window frames, and structural timbers.

Bubbling or Warped Paint

Termites produce moisture as they tunnel through wood, which can cause paint to bubble, peel, or appear wavy on affected surfaces. If you notice unexplained paint damage on interior or exterior wood surfaces, termites could be the cause.

Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites, the most common type in Central Illinois, build pencil-sized mud tubes to travel between the soil and their food source. These tubes are made of soil, wood particles, and saliva and are typically found on foundation walls, in crawl spaces, and along other surfaces connecting the ground to wood. Finding mud tubes is a strong indicator of active termite activity.

Discarded Wings

After termite swarmers mate, they shed their wings. Finding piles of small, translucent wings near windows, doors, or light fixtures is a sign that termites have swarmed near or inside your home.

Frass (Drywood Termite Droppings)

While drywood termites are less common in Central Illinois than subterranean termites, they can occasionally be found. Drywood termites push their fecal pellets, called frass, out of small holes in the wood. Frass looks like small piles of sawdust or sand-colored pellets.

Sagging Floors and Ceilings

In advanced cases, termite damage can cause structural wood to weaken, leading to sagging floors, buckling ceilings, and doors or windows that no longer open and close properly.

Get a Professional Inspection

If you notice any of these signs, a professional termite inspection is essential. Terminix provides thorough termite inspections and effective treatment options throughout Central Illinois and Western Indiana. Contact us today for a free inspection before termite damage gets worse.