What could be mistaken for termites?

The Imposters. The insects most commonly confused for termites are flying ants. The most common species of ants to take flight around your house are carpenter ants, but they're by no means the only ones. Other would-be imposters include moisture ants, black garden ants and pavement ants.


How do you tell if a bug is a termite?

Look at the wings and antennae.
  1. Termites have 4 wings. All 4 wings are the same size as a termite's body, while ants' wings are different sizes.
  2. Note that termites lose their wings after swarming, so the termite you're looking at may not have any.
  3. Termites have 2 straight antennae. Ants' antennae are somewhat curved.


What if I see termite damage but no termites?

Active termite infestation versus old termite damage

Old termite damage without the presence of live insects simply means that your home was once invaded by these wood destroying pests. It does not mean they are still present and wreaking havoc on load baring walls, support beams, or other wood.


How would you know if you had termites?

Look for Flying Swarmers

Winged insects emerging from soil or wood is the easiest way to tell whether termites are active nearby. Even if residents don't notice the pests, their cast-off wings are often left on the floor around doors or windowsills. Since they are drawn to light, these are common entry and exit points.

Do termites ever just go away?

Termites will not go away on their own. We bet you know why. While many pests need to find a food source inside your home in order to stay, termites do not. Your home IS the food they eat.


Top 3 Warning Signs Your Home Has Termites



What kills termites instantly?

What chemical kills termites? There are two main chemicals used to kill termites—fipronil and hexaflumuron. Fipronil is the specially designed chemical used as an active ingredient in many different liquid termiticides. In high enough concentrations, it can kill termites on contact.

Is it normal to see a few termites in your house?

Seeing termite swarmers inside a house or building is a telltale sign of an active termite infestation. Termites have a caste system that consists of workers, soldiers, and swarmers. Termite swarmers, also known as alates, are the reproductive members of a termite colony.

How do you tell if termites are active in your house?

How to Tell If Termites Are Active in Your House
  1. Discolored or drooping drywall.
  2. Peeling paint that resembles water damage.
  3. Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
  4. Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.
  5. Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards.
  6. Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.


Can termites destroy a house in one year?

Destructive termites take about 3 to 8 years to inflict noticeable damage to your property--this will still depend on the species of termite and the mature size of their nest. A colony consisting of 60,000 termites can eat 2x4 wood within 5 months.

What does beginning termite damage look like?

Outward signs of termite damage include buckling wood, swollen floors and ceilings, areas that appear to be suffering from slight water damage and visible mazes within walls or furniture. Termite infestations also can exude a scent similar to mildew or mold.

What does an infestation of termites look like?

However, if you're noticing soft or hollow-sounding wood, blistered floors, or mud tubes (small holes in the wood that termites plug with mud) around your home, these are some telltale signs of a termite infestation.


Should I worry if I see a termite?

Termites themselves aren't harmful to humans. However, colonies of these insects can cause billions of dollars of damage each year. While they can be destructive to the structure of your home, they can destroy more than just your house.

How do you know if you have termites in your walls?

Common signs of termite damage to a wall include:
  1. Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. ...
  2. Faint 'lines' on drywall. ...
  3. A hollow sound when you tap on the wall.
  4. Bubbling or peeling paint.
  5. Baseboards that crumble under slight pressure.
  6. Jammed doors or windows.


What time of year do termites do the most damage?

Spring is the swarming season for most subterranean termites. Most species of subterranean termites swarm during the spring and summer months, typically on a warm day with calm winds after a rainfall.


Do termites eat thru drywall?

Since drywall is partially made of cellulose, termites can readily feed on the paper in drywall and cause damage. To help prevent damage to your home, including drywall, follow home maintenance guidelines to correct moisture issues and schedule regular inspections with a licensed termite specialist.

How long before termites destroy a house?

Although nobody knows for sure how long it takes for drywood termites to cause damage to structures, some pest control professionals estimate that drywood termite infestations can take as long as three to eight years to cause extensive damage in homes.

Can termites suddenly appear?

Winged swarming termites emerge from cracks in your walls and foundation in large numbers. They can also come out though holes in the soil in your yard. They emerge through swarm tubes made by worker termites. Unfortunately for them, not every termite survives to form a new colony.


How fast can termites destroy a house?

With about 2 million termites working in the right condition they can cause significant damage within the first few months. A home can be totally destroyed in a year or two.

What looks like termites but arent?

The insects most commonly confused for termites are flying ants. The most common species of ants to take flight around your house are carpenter ants, but they're by no means the only ones. Other would-be imposters include moisture ants, black garden ants and pavement ants.

Why are termites in my house all of a sudden?

Any crack or fissure in home foundations or gaps in siding offer termites the opportunity to come inside. Subterranean species build mud tubes in these imperfections and use these to move indoors. Additionally, cracks around windows and doors allow swarmer termites of all species to get inside and start colonies.


How quickly do termites spread?

Termites take a very short time to spread. Within a few days, they can multiply to what's considered an infestation. Homeowners need to take every percaussion possible, and be sure to act quickly in order to protect their homes.

What is the natural enemy of termites?

Termites and ants are natural enemies. Ant and termite colonies often turn hostile upon encountering one another. Ants have been known to raid termite colonies and consume termites as a source of food.

What does termite poop look like?

Drywood termite pellets are tiny, oval-shaped capsules with six concave sides and rounded ends. These pellets, which are about 1 millimeter in length, can form small mounds beneath kick out holes. The mounds may look like small piles of salt or pepper.


What does vinegar do to termites?

Vinegar is an effective termite killer because it contains acetic acid. As an acid, acetic acid is corrosive. But it is especially corrosive against the exoskeletons of termites. When the acid comes in contact with termites, it destroys the termites' exoskeletons.