What Are The Signs of a Termite Infestation?

Termite infestations can cause significant damage before you even realize there’s a problem. Spotting these pests early is key to minimizing the impact on your property. Here are some common signs that might indicate you have a termite infestation:

• Mud Tubes: Termites construct mud tubes to travel between their colony and food sources. These pencil-sized tunnels are made of soil and wood particles.
• Discarded Wings: Reproductive termites, or swarmers, shed their wings after mating. Piles of discarded wings nearby can be a clear sign of an infestation.
• Wood Damage: Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of wood or paint. Tap on wooden structures to see if they sound hollow.
• Frass: Termites leave behind small, wood-colored droppings called frass. These pellet-like droppings can accumulate near infested wood.
• Swarmers: Seeing swarmers, especially in the spring, is a common sign of a termite infestation. These winged termites emerge in large numbers to mate.
• Tight-Fitting Doors: As termites damage wood, they can cause structural changes and warping that make doors and windows hard to open or close properly. 

How to Look For Termites in Manhattan, Kansas City Metro and surrounding areas

Since termites rarely leave their nests except to reproduce, it’s important to know where to look for signs of their damage. Start by examining the foundation of your home or building. Look for mud tubes running along the walls, foundation, or in crawl spaces. Then, inspect wooden structures such as floorboards and furniture—you can tap on the surfaces and listen for a hollow sound, which may indicate damage. 

In the springtime, you may also see termites out and about. Reproductives leave the nest once a year when the weather starts to warm up so they can establish a new colony. These termites look like winged ants, so examine them closely to identify them. One way to tell termites apart from ants is by their thick waist and two sets of equal-sized wings. 

Do I Have Termites?

Seeing any signs of termites often means there’s already an infestation underway. Termites are particularly worrisome because their activity is hard to detect until a colony has established itself in your home. The best way to look for signs of termites is to rely on a professional termite expert. Regular inspections from experts, such as those at American Pest Management, can identify and stop an infestation quickly.