How Do Termites Impact Your Home and Property?
- H. Justin Collins
- Mar 14
- 12 min read
Termites
Termites, though small, have a big impact on the health of your home. In this blog, we’re discussing what a termite is, their food sources, the strategies on how to prevent termites from entering your home, how to mitigate the damage if you have them, how to identify termite damage, and how to spot easy entry points so that you can live in a healthy home.
What Is A Termite?
We have all heard in some way or another about the dreaded termite, but what exactly is a termite? According to Britannica, termites (order Isoptera) are cellulose-eating insects whose social systems resemble ants and bees, despite having evolved independently. Although termites are not closely related to ants, they are sometimes referred to as "white ants."
How Do You Tell The Difference Between Termites and Other Insects?
Termites are detritophagous eusocial insects that consume various decaying plant materials, including wood, leaf litter, and soil humus. Their pale coloring and physical similarities to ants are why they are sometimes called "white ants." However, there are several ways to distinguish ants from termites. Unlike bees and wasps, ants have a narrow waist that segments their bodies, while termites do not. Additionally, ants have segmented or "elbowed" antennae, while termite antennae are straight. Both ants and termites have winged reproductive forms, but the forewings and hind wings of ants are different sizes, whereas those of termites are equal in size. Here is a great resource on how to distinguish between different insects and termites:
What Are The Different Species of Termites?
There are three main types of termite species, each with unique features that distinguish them. These differences impact various factors, including their geographic distribution, the number of offspring they produce, and where they build their nests. Understanding which species you're dealing with will help you decide on the next steps.
1. Subterranean Termites belong to the family Rhinotermitidae. This species lives in the soil and builds the largest nests of any insect in the U.S. These nests are connected via mud tubes to food sources, such as trees, fence posts, and structural timbers in houses. Subterranean termites, which can live in every U.S. state except Alaska, are responsible for the majority of termite damage in this country.
2. Drywood Termites belong to the family Kalotermitidae and typically live in wood, such as dead trees, structural timbers, or hardwood floors. Unlike subterranean termites, Drywood Termites do not require contact with soil. Some Drywood Termite species can cause significant damage to homes. However, Drywood Termite colonies tend to be smaller than subterranean termite colonies, so they typically cause damage at a slower rate than subterranean termites. These termites can be found in Arizona, California, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.
3. Dampwood Termites belong to the family Kalotermitidae and Hodotermitidae and live in wood with high moisture content. Most Dampwood Termites do not require contact with the soil. Dampwood termites are rarely found in homes or other man-made structures, since wood in these structures typically does not have enough moisture. These termites can be found in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Nevada, Florida, Idaho, Montana, California, Oregon, and Washington
For more info about the differences between termite species see the full article Here
Pictures from Pest World
What Types of Termites Are Found in Charleston, SC?
Termites can be a huge problem in Charleston, SC. Due to the coastal atmosphere, the most common termites in this area are Eastern Subterranean Termites- including the aggressive Formosan Subterranean Termite, and Drywood Termites.
Formosan Subterranean Termites form larger colonies than their native counterparts. They swarm from mid-May to July, often in the evening, and are attracted to lights. Their distribution has been increasing in South Carolina, particularly in coastal areas from Charleston to Beaufort.
What Do Termites Eat?
Termites can live off cellulose thanks to the organisms found in their stomachs. Bacteria and protozoa form a mutually beneficial relationship with the pests by producing a special enzyme that naturally breaks down cellulose. They digest the cellulose, and termites receive their nutrition in the form of sugar. Additionally, some termite species favor wood that's already being broken down by fungi to make digestion easier.
Immature termites that don't yet have bacteria and protozoa in their stomachs, soldiers, and reproductives are fed by workers. Worker termites pass on the cellulose-turned-sugar substance via a mouth-to-mouth feeding process.
The pests become problematic for homeowners when they feed on wooden structures in buildings. As social insects, termites typically live in large colonies and target different types of wood depending on the species. In most circumstances, infestations of the pest can grow unnoticed until serious structural damage is already done.
Which Termite Causes The Most Damage?
The most destructive termite species of the Subterranean category is the Formosan termite. The Formosan termite does not consume wood faster than other termites, their destructive ability comes from their great numbers and adaptability.
Let’s talk about the reproductive abilities of the Formosan termite. A single colony of Coptotermes Formosanus may produce over 70,000 alates (larva). After a brief flight, alates shed their wings. Females immediately search for nesting sites with males following closely behind. When the pair finds a moist crevice with wooden materials, they form the royal chamber and lay approximately 15 to 30 eggs. Within two to four weeks, young termites hatched from the eggs. The reproductives nurse the first group of young termites until they reach the third instar (Photo Below). One to two months later, the queen lays the second batch of eggs which would be eventually nursed by termites from the first egg batch. It may take three to five years before a colony reaches a substantial number to cause severe damage and produce alates.
The Formosan termite is one of the most adaptable termites in the world. Before 1960, there were no Formosan termites in the U.S. Now, they can be found in all southeastern states and have made their way up to Virginia. Not to mention, they are present in California, Arizona, and Hawaii. This termite favors a warm, wet climate, though it can also thrive in places with high heat, such as Arizona. Formosan termites are subterranean, meaning they are usually underground where they build their nests. They create extensive underground systems that can range up to 300 feet, one of the greatest ranges for all termites. This is partially why they are so effective; they stay hidden and multiply, and by the time you notice them, it’s often too late. Their population can number in the thousands.
If there is no suitable soil Formosan termites can build their nest above ground. The Formosan subterranean termite can form colonies that are not connected to the ground, called aerial colonies. If a pair of alates successfully find suitable conditions, i.e., adequate food and moisture sources in a building, they can initiate a colony with no ground connection. The flat roofs of high-rise buildings, because they always pool rainwater, are ideal places for the Formosan subterranean termite to initiate aerial infestations if portals of entry are found. Our survey data indicated that more than 25% of the infestations found in urban southeastern Florida are caused by aerial colonies (Su and Scheffrahn 1987).
What Are The Main Ways Termites Enter Your Home?
Termites can enter the home the same way any other insect does, through open windows, doors, cracks, and any penetrations. Each species has preferred conditions and entry points for the locations they decide to settle.
Here is what McCauley Agricultural and Pest Control has to say about how the different ermine species enter your home:
Subterranean Termite Entry Points
Subterranean termites have underground colonies that can reach locations several feet above ground level by creating mud tubes. These termites typically infest homes at or below ground level. Subterranean termites commonly enter your home through wood-to-ground contacts like door frames, deck posts, and porch steps; they can also enter homes through cracks in the foundation or brick mortar.
Drywood Termite Entry Points
Infestations of Drywood Termites usually start when swarmers (alates) find a crack in the wood of your house, excavate a little nest, and seal themselves within. They then begin laying eggs to start their colony. This colony can expand to a scale that can seriously harm the wood in your house in a matter of years. The typical entry point for this colony of termites is the attic which guarantees an array of dry wood and food for them. You may have a dry wood termite infestation if you observe abandoned wings, little mounds of sawdust, or even pellet-like droppings.
Dampwood Termite Entry Points
This type of termite needs wood and moisture to survive and enter homes. In an outside environment, they burrow into wet, broken wood rotten trees, but inside homes, they take habitat in wooden structures that are sodden from leak-up pipes or waters that fall into your home through rainfall. Like all termites, Dampwood Termites eat the cellulose in wood and use this material to construct their homes.
How Do You Know If You Have Termites?
The most obvious sign of termites is if you see one. You might think seeing only one isn’t a big issue but one usually means more…a lot more. Termites are hive insects, this means that they live in large colonies working together to gather food and to complete complex objectives. Termites have a king and queen so the worker termites won't wander far, it’s safe to say if you have seen a termite near your home or even worse inside your home you should have your home inspected right away.
This next section is by Terminix on signs that point to termites.
1. Buckling or blisters in wood flooring
If your wood flooring is buckling or has blister spots, this could be evidence of termites. Subterranean termites can cause damage to the subfloor, which can make your wood flooring look discolored or have a wavy appearance on the surface. Termites prefer the softer subfloor wood or supports, so you may not notice their presence until they have done quite a bit of damage below the surface.
2. Hollowed or damaged wood
Wood damage from termites can be found below and behind surfaces like walls and floors. Termites eat your walls from the inside out, which is why they can be difficult to spot. These tiny pests hollow out wood studs within walls without emerging causing them to sound empty when you tap on them. Termites chew through wood to remove the cellulose, leaving behind long grooves. The grooves may resemble a maze inside your walls or take the form of a honeycomb pattern. Over time, these grooves may weaken the wood and create structural damage.
3. Swarmers (flying termites)
Swarmers are flying termites that branched off from their colony to find mates and begin new colonies. Swarming happens at certain times of the year, and there may be hundreds or even thousands of flying termites in a swarm. If you notice a swarm of flying termites in or near your property, it is an indication that termites may have lived in the vicinity for several years.
4. Discarded termite wings
Discarded termite wings can be found near closed windows, doors, and other home-access points. Termites fly toward the windows as they are attracted to the light from outside. They intentionally twist their wings off when they land because they won't need them again. You may notice piles of these discarded wings, but that doesn’t mean the termites are dead–they may be busy trying to build a new colony nearby.
5. Hard to open doors and windows
When the termites eat through the wood in search of cellulose, they cause damage to the wood, causing it to buckle or warp. This damage can make opening and closing your doors and windows difficult. Stuck windows and doors that won't fully close could be early warning signs of a termite infestation.
6. Mud tubes
Subterranean termites nest underground and forage up to their food source, which is often a house structure. Pencil-sized mud tubes can be found where the ground meets your house or any other possible food source, like a tree or shed. This termite species requires certain temperatures and humidity levels to survive, and their tunnels help block out cool, dry air, effectively turning your home into an environment where they can thrive.
7. Drywood Termite droppings (frass)
Drywood termites nest inside of wood. While tunneling and eating the wood they're infesting, they create galleries. To keep these galleries clean, they create kick-out holes where they remove their droppings. And since Drywood Termites eat wood, their excrement is wood, and when they kick it out of their nest, it lands on window sills or floors and can create small mounds of pellets. These mounds of pellets, resembling sawdust or coffee grounds, may indicate the presence of drywood termites.
8. Live termites found during remodeling
If you're remodeling your home, keep an eye out for termites living in the wood you're tearing out. One of the most common ways termites are found in homes comes from renovations or remodeling. It’s important to keep in mind that removing the damaged wood will not remove the infestation. They can be found in the soil around your home, in rotting or damp wood components of your house, or anywhere on your property where they can feed on organic matter that contains cellulose, such as tree stumps and firewood piles.
9. Damaged drywall, bubbling under paint or wallpaper
Drywall contains paper – and the paper contains cellulose, a termite's primary food source. As termites chew, they will leave behind small trails, both on the surface of and inside drywall. You may notice pin-sized holes in your drywall or wallpaper where the termites have eaten their way through. Termite pinholes in drywall are capped with a speck of dirt, and the bubbling beneath your wallpaper or paint can be evidence of termites.
10. Moldy scents
Termites like wood that is in high moisture situations, which usually includes a moldy scent. If you notice a musty smell and can't find the source, call your local Terminix termite technician for an inspection.
11. Dipping ceilings, buckling support beams or other severe structural damage
A termite infestation can cause damage to the structural elements of your building. Termites can eat through support beams, causing the beams to buckle and compromising the structural integrity of your home. For example, termite-damaged support beams can cause ceilings to dip and crack and floorboards to buckle. Their relentless tunneling can cause wood to fail. These damages can be very difficult and costly to repair.
12. Overly squeaky floors and loosening tiles
When termites eat your flooring or subflooring, they can loosen the tiles. If you have wooden floorboards, termite damage causes them to buckle and blister, resulting in more noise as you walk over them and apply pressure to the damaged areas.
Here is a link to the full article by Terminix
How to Mitigate Termites?
One effective way to mitigate termite risk is to reduce moisture, as termites need moisture to survive. Termites love wet wood because it’s easier to digest, and they can smell the difference between dry wood and wet wood. Varsity Pest Control states that termites respond to chemical odors, so they can smell anything with cellulose in them. Plant-based household materials, like wood, as well as plants themselves, offer a positive chemical response to termites, drawing their attention as they look for additional food sources.
Termites can smell the chemical difference between dry wood and wet wood, so keeping the area around your home dry is crucial. A major reason for termite infestation is the poor installation of siding and roofing materials. The incorrect installation creates pathways for water to enter your home, attracting termites. This often happens due to incorrect flashing. Flashings are designed for specific vulnerable areas of the home to divert water away, such as windows and the edge of a roof. These areas come into contact with water more often than other parts of your home, so if there is a bad installation with your flashing, water will enter your home. Poor flashing is a common cause of reroofs and siding repairs, and it also invites termites into your home. Poor roof ventilation also helps create a great environment for termites to thrive. If you have proper roof ventilation, then the space in your attic and between your walls will stay dry, stifling the ability of most termites to consume the wood. Make sure any contractor that works on your home provides a workmanship warranty so if there is an issue with installation, it will be covered by the contractor. Additionally, look for contractors who offer annual maintenance to check on their work yearly. Many reputable contractors include this as part of their service.
You should fix leaks in pipes, faucets, and air conditioners, ensure gutters and downspouts are clear, make sure water drains away from your home, replace the soil around your home with sand if wood touches the ground, and reduce humidity in crawl spaces. Additionally, it's important to seal entry points. Termites can enter through cracks in the foundation, vents, and screens. Fill cracks with caulk, grout, or cement, cover vents with termite-resistant steel mesh, and patch holes in window screens. Removing attractants is also essential, as termites are drawn to decaying wood and soil-to-wood contact. Remove tree stumps and dead roots near your home, keep firewood and wood debris away from your home, and trim vegetation at least 18 inches away from your home.
Regular inspections are important, too. Having a trained professional inspect your home annually can help you identify early signs of infestation and address termite issues before they cause significant damage. If wood must touch the ground, use termite-resistant wood, and consider using boric acid to kill termites that come into contact with it. Investing in these preventive measures will go a long way in protecting your home from termites.
Conclusion
Living in the Southeast means termites are an unavoidable reality, as the climate allows them to remain active year-round, creating an ideal environment for their growth. The best way to protect yourself is by taking preventative measures. Ensure that the common entry points for termites into your home are mitigated. When selecting a contractor, opt for one that offers a workmanship warranty. Additionally, have a pest control service inspect your home annually to confirm you are termite-free. Termites have the potential to cause significant damage to your home. Let's make sure we don't give them that opportunity.
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