How do I know what kind of termites I have?

Look for the most common sign – the color. Subterranean termite swarmers are solid black, drywood swarmers are solid red, while carpenter ants are usually red and black or dark brown. The other big difference is in the body. Termites all have a long body with no small segments attached.

How can I tell if I have termites?

Signs you may have termites

Swarmers (flying termites ) Swarmers are usually one of the first signs of a termite infestation.
Discarded wings.
Hollow or blistering wood.
Frass.
Mud tubes.
Tight fitting doors and hard-to-open windows.
Head banging or chewing noises.

How do you tell if you have termites in your walls?

Common signs of termite damage to a wall include:

Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper.
Faint ‘lines’ on drywall.
A hollow sound when you tap on the wall.
Bubbling or peeling paint.
Baseboards that crumble under slight pressure.
Jammed doors or windows.

Are termites white or black?

Found in every U.S. state except Alaska, subterranean termites are creamy white to dark brown or black and 1/8 inch long. They live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground that can contain up to two million members.

What are signs of termite damage?

Outward signs of termite damage include buckling wood, swollen floors and ceilings, areas that appear to be suffering from slight water damage and visible mazes within walls or furniture. Termite infestations also can exude a scent similar to mildew or mold.

How do you find a termite nest in your house?

What to Look For. Pencil-thick to inch-wide tunnels on foundation and crawl-space walls (above) shelter subterranean termites traveling to and from the nest. If you see cream-colored insects when you break open the tubes, your house is infested. If you don’t, the colony may be dead or using another route inside.

How do you tell if termites are still in wood?

Evidence of Termites