Termite Evidence

Termite evidence is sometimes hard to come by for homeowners and others who are trying to determine if an infestation is present. Yet they do leave certain tell tales signs from time to time, so it is not impossible to detect them even if it is very difficult. Different types of this pest live in different parts of North America, and each leaves different forms of evidence of its presence. Your best bet at discovering them is finding out which species are native to your home area and using that as a starting point.

Find out whether the type you might be looking for lives under ground or in the wood. For example, drywood termites are more common in certain parts of the country, and they have some pretty unique characteristics that set them apart from the subterranean or ground termite species. Getting a closer look at just a few things to look for from both species can help homeowners to narrow in their focus and to search for pertinent evidence of termites that can help them conclude whether their home has really been infested. Find these pests and eliminate them with chemicals that are non toxic to all of us but deadly to all of them.

Evidence of Drywood Termites

Drywood termites are unique in that they basically nest in the wood rather than under the ground. They make and maintain their colonies within the bounds of the wood they feed upon. As they do their work, they burrow all through walls and furniture, leaving mazes of tunnels behind them as they go. They leave piles of their droppings, called frass, behind them as well. Frass basically resembles sawdust and its color will resemble the color of the wood they are consuming. It is relatively easy to recognize because it normally appears right next to the wood being consumed. The presence of termite droppings is a sure sign of infestation.

Another piece of evidence that points to the presence of drywood termites in the home is sagging in walls, ceilings and floors. The structural damage they can cause weakens wood and makes it unable to hold up drywall or other materials, causing the area to sag noticeably. This type of sagging on a ceiling is easy to mistake for a roof leak because it can look just like the symptoms of water damage on a drywall ceiling. In fact, the walls and floors also can look exactly like water damaged areas. Homeowners that do not notice the other signs such as the small sawdust piles are actually likely to have roofers over to inspect the damage. Sometimes the roofing inspectors discover the real truth of the situation for the homeowner. In any case, once the truth is known, it is time for termite control work.

Evidence of Subterranean Termites

Drywood termites are mostly located in warm southern climates but in contrast, subterranean or ground termites have spread all across the continental portion of the U.S. They create their colonies under the ground and come up to get their food. Ground termites get into homes through cracks or other openings in the foundations and thus homeowners should be on the lookout for termite evidence. Evidence of their presence includes the presence of earthen mud tunnels which are dry and cylindrical in their shape. They use these tunnels to travel to and fro while getting food for the colony. The presence of these tunnels is direct evidence of the presence of ground termites in the home. Another sign is the appearance of winged termites in the spring. Homeowners should be on the lookout for signs of termite activity to protect their homes.