Not knowing how to or where to start. The first thing you can do is look around. What do you see. The top 5 signs of termites are as follows:
1. BLISTERS IN WOOD FLOORING
These areas or blisters can indicate termites feeding within or below. Subterranean termites can cause damage to the subfloor, which can make your wood flooring appear as if it has water damage.
2. HOLLOWED OR DAMAGED WOOD
Wood damage can be found below and behind surfaces like walls, floors and more. This can be caused by termites chewing through wood in search of cellulose, leaving behind long grooves. Over time, these grooves weaken the wood and create structural damage. Hollowed wood usually has a honeycomb interior and an empty sound.
3. EVIDENCE OF SWARMS
Discarded termite wings can be found near closed windows, doors and other home-access points. This is caused when termites swarm out of their nest to mate and find a place start a new colony. When they land, termites intentionally twist their wings off because they will never need them again. Termite wings are all the same size while ants have one pair of larger wings (front) and one pair of smaller wings (rear).
Related: What are the Differences Between Swarming Termites and Ants?
4. MUD TUBES
Pencil-sized mud tubes can be found wherever the ground meets your house or any other possible food source like a tree or shed. This is because subterranean termites nest underground and forage up to their food source, which is often a house structure. These termites require certain temperature and humidity levels to survive. Their tunnels help block out cool, dry air, effectively turning your home into an environment where they can thrive.
5. DRYWOOD TERMITE DROPPINGS
Drywood termites nest inside of wood. While tunneling and eating the wood they’re infesting, they create galleries that they like to keep them clean. To keep them clean, they create kick out holes where they remove their excrement. And since drywood termites eat wood, their excrement is wood, which essentially creates mounds of pellets. These mounds of pellets, resembling sawdust or coffee grounds, may indicate the presence of drywood termites. To schedule an inspection, get a quote or for more information call (650) 493-0445 Franz Termite Control at or fill out our Contact Form and we will reach out to you.