Owing to their wood-eating habits, many termite species can do significant damage to unprotected buildings and other wooden structures. Termites play an important role as decomposers of wood and vegetative material, and the conflict with humans occurs where structures and landscapes containing structural wood components, cellulose derived structural materials and ornamental vegetation provide termites with a reliable source of food and moisture. Their habit of remaining concealed often results in their presence being undetected until the timbers are severely damaged, with only a thin exterior layer of wood remaining, which protects them from the environment. Wikipedia


Imperial Pest Control Services, LLC pretreats for termites in new construction, refinanced and real estate transactions.

Termites are difficult pests to deal with and they can produce costly damage to your home or business. The first step is learning how to detect a termite infestation. It can be almost impossible to identify a termite infestation because there are very few, if any, visible warning signs. Termites are often referred to as “silent destroyers” because they can live in your home for years without showing any immediate signs of damage. As a homeowner you can improve the chances of protecting your property by knowing the warning signs of a termite infestation.

Watch Out for “Termite Swarms”

Winged termites are called “Swarmers” because when a termite colony has matured it releases winged termites that swarm around trying to find a mate and start a new colony. When you find swarms of winged termites outdoors then you do not have to worry, but if there are Swarmers inside your property then there is probably a termite infestation in your house as well.

In addition, they shed their wings when they have entered their next stage of growth, so a pile of shed wings is another warning sign warning you to a possible termite infestation.

Check for Hollowed Wood

Wood that has been damaged by a termite will be hollowed out along the grain, and you can detect infestation by literally ‘knocking on wood’ to hear if it is indeed hollowed out.

Notice Small Holes in Drywall and Plaster

Termites sometimes bore little holes through drywall or plaster walls to get to their food source, so you can inspect any drywall or plaster around your property to confirm the presence of a termite infestation. Holes that are caused by termites will have dirt around the edges.

Look for Mud Tubing

Underground termites make these mud tubes so that they can move safely between their underground colony and their food sources. These mud tubes are usually brown in color and they have a diameter that is about the width of a pencil. You can find these mud tubes along foundation walls, support piers, windowsill plates, floor joists, etc. Cut the tubes open to look for termites inside in order to definitively know if the infestation is active, the termites inside will be small and white-ish in color.