How to Spot Termites

Winged termites. Winged termites are not always typical of termite infestations.

Termites are destructive insects that cause extensive damage to buildings, furniture, books and trees. They look a bit like ants, but cause far more damage. If left untreated, termites can completely take over and destroy a building or home. Therefore, once termites are spotted, a professional exterminator is usually needed to get rid of the pests for good. The first step in determining whether or not you have a termite infestation is to learn how to identify the insect and look for signs of infestation and damage.

Things You'll Need

• Magnifying glass

Instructions

1. 

   Look for whitish, translucent insects with a soft pointy body and six stubby legs. Check to see if you can identify the insect's eyes. Use a magnifying glass if necessary, but avoid touching the insect. Most termites do not have well developed eyes. Winged termites, however, do have tiny eyes that can be spotted.

2. Know the difference between winged ants and termites. Many people confuse termites and winged ants. Unlike winged ants, termites have straight antennae, two wings of equal size and a waist that is slightly smaller than their head. Winged ants, however, have crooked antennae, a small waist, and a second pair of wings that is smaller than its primary set of wings.

3. Inspect walls and foundations. If termites are present, you may see tiny mud tubes running down the length of a wall. Termites construct mud tubes for shelter and as a way to move from colony to colony. The tubes, about the thickness of a pencil, can be broken open to see if termites are present.

4. Check baseboards, window frames, floor coverings and exposed wood for signs of termite infestation. If chunks and slivers of wood are missing, or if small piles of sawdust are present near windows and doors or in the garage, termites are likely present.

5. Check for termites in hidden areas. Termites often live behind walls or underneath flooring, where they cannot easily be seen. Because of this, termite infestations can often go undetected for years. Remember, termites are insects that do not like to make their presence known.

Tips & Warnings

• Termite infestations usually begin in the spring.

• Contact a professional exterminator if you spot termites in your home. Although there are products designed to help you get rid of termites on your own, the job is best left to the pros.

References

• University of Kentucky
• Ohio State University
• How to Identify Termites

Resources

• Termites Guide