How can I tell if termites are damaging my home?

You wake up. The night is still, and your house is silent and dark. Your dog groans as it shifts in its sleep at the foot of your bed. You hold your breath, listening to the overwhelming silence. The only sound you hear is your rapid heartbeat. But you know they’re there. You can feel their presence: termites.

It’s likely that every homeowner wonders, at least occasionally, if their house is being slowly consumed by these winged insects of the order Isoptera. In the United States, about $2 billion is spent annually to protect homes from termites’ relentless hunger for anything cellulose-based [source: NCSU]. Defending against termites can feel like a never-ending battle. Termite colonies start small, but they can grow to millions—working together to destroy everything in their path [source: Su and Scheffrahn].

While humans often curse the very existence of termites, we’re actually the cause of their attacks on our homes. As fierce wood-eaters, termites play a critical role in forest ecosystems by breaking down decaying trees, allowing new ones to grow in their place [source: UGA]. When humans come along and clear forests to build homes, it’s like taking away a dinner plate and replacing it with an all-you-can-eat buffet of wood! Termites are just following their survival instincts by seeking out a new food source.

But that's not the main concern here, right? That potential food source could be your home, and you need to figure out if termites have moved in and started feeding. The thought of replacing your house has you on edge—you’re practically drenched in a nervous sweat, almost as if you're showing signs of hyperhidrosis. So, how can you tell if termites are devouring your home? Find out on the next page.

Signs That Termites Are Destroying Your Home

In the "Art of War," Sun Tzu wrote: "One who knows the enemy and knows himself will not be endangered in a hundred engagements" [source: Osinga]. In other words, if you understand both the weaknesses and strengths of your enemy as well as your own, victory is assured. Let’s assume you know yourself well enough, so here’s some important information about your enemy, the termite.

These insects live in highly organized societies, with members divided into different classes. At the top are the king and queen, with other members of the colony categorized as reproductives and soldiers. Certain types of termites also have a worker class.

Once termites hatch from their eggs and develop wings, they lead quite a charmed existence. Wings signify the reproductive termites -- the ones capable of breeding. As they mature, these reproductives can take off and establish new colonies. Typically, they set out to find new territories in late summer or fall, sometimes even in spring, forming swarms [source: UNL]. Swarms are the first clear indicator of a termite infestation -- when termites gather in large numbers to find a new home, it’s hard to miss them.

When a reproductive pair finds a suitable location, they burrow into the soil or wood, seal themselves in, and begin mating. As they reproduce, their young eventually become self-sufficient, and the founding king and queen stop searching for food. Instead, they relax while their offspring feed them. Their preferred diet consists of simple sugars found in wood and wood-based products. Termites rely on protozoa in their stomachs to digest the wood. The waste has to go somewhere, and unfortunately, this results in excrement -- the second clear sign of a termite invasion. Termite droppings appear as tiny, thin pellets with rounded ends [source: Bob Villa]. If you discover small piles of these pellets, especially near wood, you’ve got termites.

Once termites tunnel into your home, they’ve taken care of one of their basic needs: shelter. They also require food and water. While different species of termites may have varying requirements, all termites need access to some form of each. A viable water source doesn’t have to be a pond or lake; even damp wood can provide enough moisture for subterranean termites to thrive [source: LSU].

Termites need moisture because they are quite fragile creatures. Without sufficient moisture, they can easily dry out. The third indicator of a termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes. These hollow channels act as pathways for termites, shielding them from heat and dehydration as they move between their nests and food sources. Mud tubes are the hallmark of subterranean termites, and you can usually find them climbing up foundation blocks in your basement, crawlspace, or even inside your home’s walls [source: UNL]. Follow the tube, and you’ll find it leading to a floor joist or a structural beam. Tap the wood with a screwdriver, and if it makes a hollow sound, try inserting the screwdriver. If it goes in easily, termites have eaten away the soft interior of the wood, leaving behind the more resilient outer layer.

At this stage, it’s probably time to call in a professional exterminator; your enemy has set up camp in your home.

For additional details on pests and other related subjects, proceed to the next page.