Do you have termites in your house? If you suspect that you’ve got house termites, you’ve got to act immediately. These insidious pests can create a lot of damage, often causing serious problems before you even know they exist.
ermites are indeed a significant concern for homeowners in the United States, causing substantial damage to properties each year. Their ability to remain hidden while causing structural damage makes them a formidable pest.
To make matters worse, termites can be a real deal-breaker when it comes time to sell your home. Here’s what you need to know about dealing with house termites, from identification and treatment to repair.
What are the Signs of Termites in Your Home?
1. Termite Mud Tubes
The first clue you have a termite issue often comes from a strange phenomenon: Long, brown tubes that snake up and down walls, on foundations, across floors, and even on the ceiling.
For many homeowners, these tubes are so unexpected and odd that they’re baffled when they first appear.
The tunnels allow insects to easily travel from one part of the house to another without even coming out into the open, where they’re exposed to dry air.
The inside of the tubes stays moist, acting as a bridge that allows the insects to travel from food sources to their colony with ease.
2. Swarming Termites
At certain times of year, usually fall or spring, large groups of newly mature termites (known as “alates”) leave the nest to start new colonies.
3. Hollow Wood
Give wooden structures in your house a knock. Do they sound hollow? If so, you may have termites.
The insects tunnel through wood, leaving paths of destruction that run along the wood’s grain.
Sometimes the hollow spaces create cracks on the wood’s surface. All too often, though, damage remains hidden until it’s serious.
4. Discarded Wings
If you notice a hollow sound when you tap wooden structures in your home, it could be an indication of a termite infestation. Termites often feed on the internal wood, leaving behind a thin layer of wood on the surface, which can make the wood sound hollow when you tap it. This is a potential sign of structural damage and should be addressed promptly to prevent further harm to your home. It's important to have a professional inspection to confirm the presence of termites and determine the extent of the damage if you suspect an infestation. Early detection and treatment are crucial to minimizing potential structural and financial damage caused by these pests.
5. Droppings and Frass
Termites leave behind tiny pellets known as frass. Frass is the color of the wood and may look like sawdust or even coffee grounds.
Termites like to keep their paths clear, so they may move droppings to the side. Often, you’ll find small piles of frass in infested areas
What Do House Termites Look Like?
There are over 40 species of termites in the U.S. The insects fall into four general types:
Subterranean: The most common type of termite, these insects live in massive underground colonies that can tunnel up to 150 feet
Formosan: Aggressive wood eaters that often build mud tubes high on walls or ceilings
Drywood: Commonly found in the southwestern and southeastern U.S., they live in wooden structures and even furniture
Dampwood: Smaller termites that live where wood and damp combine, such as basements and crawlspaces
Most share a few characteristics:
About 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length
Non-segmented bodies
Straight antennae
Light to dark brown in color
Termite colonies contain different castes or categories of insect:
Workers tend to be small and light in color
Soldiers have soft, light bodies and dark heads with large jaws
Alates or swarmers have wings and darker bodies.
What Attracts Termites in the House?
Termites are attracted to food sources… and for these hungry insects, that means wood. Termites eat wood and other plant matter, such as paper, and insulation, for the cellulose it contains.
Depending on the species, some termites prefer dry wood, while others are more attracted to soft, damp wood.
Standing water or moisture issues in basements, crawl spaces, and around the home that softens wood and makes it easy for termites to tunnel in.
Wood piles: While having wood stacked near (or even in) your home is convenient when you have a fireplace, woodpiles also attract termites. Instead, keep woodpiles stacked away from the walls of your home.
Mulch may look fantastic and keep weeds down in flower beds, but to termites, it’s nothing more than a tasty food source. When mulch is laid next to your home’s foundation, it’s easy for termites to get in. Keep mulch from touching your home’s foundation by installing a barrier.
Tree stumps: Removing tree stumps can be costly and difficult, but as the wood softens and rots, it attracts termites. When termites move into a tree stump near your home, it’s only a matter of time before they move into your walls.
Cellars, basements, and crawl spaces: The spaces under your home are notorious for gathering and holding moisture… and many species of termites love nothing more than a damp, dark space, especially when wooden supports are there, too.
Roof issues can serve as an open invitation to termites. From clogged rain gutters that hold moisture to tree branches that touch your house and act as a bridge, roof problems can lead to termite problems.
Termites are indeed versatile in finding entry points into homes and structures, making it essential for homeowners to be vigilant and take preventive measures.
Can You Have Termites and Not Know It?
Not only can you have house termites and not know it, but this is also actually the norm for many homeowners. In many cases, termites can enter a home and much away on wood without leaving much evidence.
Absolutely, termites have the potential to infest a home and remain undetected for an extended period, which can lead to significant damage.
How Do I Get Rid of Termites in My House?
If you find signs of a termite infection, call in the professionals immediately. It’s hard to know how long the termites have been causing damage, and it’s important to treat the home right away.
Treating Subterranean Termites
Termiticides that create a barrier around your home’s exterior. Termites eat wood treated with the poison, take it back to the colony with them, and spread it to other insects
Direct chemicals, such as foams, that can be shot into cracks and crevices; usually lasts up to a month
Baits are installed around your home’s foundation; these slow-acting poisons attract termites, who eat them, spread them to others in the colony, then die before they molt
Beneficial nematodes are a natural control method; these parasites can kill termites within a few days
Treating Formosan and Dampwood Termites
You are correct, Formosan termites are a highly destructive and invasive termite species that can be challenging to eradicate. Formosan termites are known for their large colonies and aggressive feeding habits. Treatment for Formosan termites typically requires a more intensive approach.
Dampwood termites are larger insects that don’t build mud tubes. This makes them difficult to detect. To treat a damp wood infestation, a termiticide is often used in wood. Moisture and standing water problems must also be resolved.
What Kills Termites Instantly?
You're absolutely correct. Many termite treatments are designed to work slowly, with a focus on colony elimination rather than immediate kill.
If you spot live termites in your home, you can try a few substances to instantly kill them. Bleach may do the trick, as will certain insecticides that you can purchase at home improvement stores
You may also want to try:
Boric acid; spray around affected areas to dehydrate insects
Orange oil dissolves termites’ exoskeletons
Vinegar and lemon juice may kill termites on contact
Diatomaceous earth; sprinkle around affected areas to dehydrate termites
Unfortunately, getting rid of house termites isn’t a DIY job. You really need to call professionals to make sure the insects are under control; there’s just too much potential for serious damage on the line to take a risk.
What Happens if You Don’t Take Care of Termites?
Absolutely, if you ignore a termite infestation, the termites will continue to cause damage, and it can extend to various parts of your property, including structural elements and building materials.
Sagging floors, bulging walls, bubbling paint, doors, and windows that won’t open and shut properly are just a few results of termite activity.
Why would someone ignore a termite problem? For many homeowners, the cost of taking care of termites is simply too much.
How Much Does it Cost to Treat a House for Termites?
Treating a house for termites is essential. But many homeowners aren’t able to afford the expenses out of pocket.
The cost breakdown provided by Bob Vila is a helpful reference for homeowners considering termite treatment. It's essential to keep in mind that these are average cost ranges, and the actual cost of treatment can vary significantly depending on factors such as the severity of the infestation, the treatment method chosen, and the size and location of the property.
Chemical treatment: $3 to $16 per linear foot
Electro-gun or microwave treatments: Up to $1,150
Termite bait treatment: $8 to $12 per linear foot
Liquid termiticides: $8 to $20
Tenting and heat treatment: $800 to $2,500 for whole house
Fumigation: $10 to $20 per linear foot
Of course, every house termite infestation is unique. Several factors play a role in determining the cost of termite treatment, such as:
Size of the home
Extend of the termite infestation
The type of termites
The type and number of treatments required
Drywood termite treatment costs can indeed vary significantly based on the extent of the infestation and the chosen treatment method. Drywood termites typically infest and feed on dry wood, which can be found in various parts of a home, including structural elements, furniture, and wooden fixtures.
However, if a whole-house treatment is required, costs may reach over $2,500.
How Do I Permanently Get Rid of Termites in My House?
Absolutely, termite monitoring stations are an essential component of long-term termite prevention and can help keep termites away after treatment. These stations are typically placed around the perimeter of a property and serve as early warning systems for termite activity.
Monitoring stations are strategically positioned throughout your residence, with regular inspections conducted by a qualified pest control specialist. Should any signs of termite activity be identified, we can promptly introduce specialized bait to the stations. These vigilant monitoring stations are available at an approximate cost of $40 each.
When you take into account that a single termite colony can devour as much as 13 ounces of wood daily, it becomes evident that termite treatment represents just the initial phase in safeguarding your property.
Common termite-related repair costs include:
Drywall repair, average cost $500
Framing repair, average cost $1,050
Attic insulation install, average cost $1,900
Crawlspace repair and cleaning, up to $6,000
When you decide to sell your house and discover a termite infestation, you are obligated to disclose this information to potential buyers. It's essential to be transparent about any termite issues as part of your legal and ethical responsibility as a seller.
In many cases, potential home buyers won’t want to take a risk on a house that needs so much in terms of treatment and repair.
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