Termite infestations can cause severe damage to buildings and furniture. Most termite infestations stabilize before outward signs become visible; but being able to familiarize yourself with the marks left can help identify an infestation and initiate immediate treatment.
Steps
Step 1. Check if winged termites swarm from inside a building, this indicates an infestation
Step 2. Put a winged termite in a vial or jar with alcohol
If you don't have one, put the termite in a small resealable plastic bag. Take the sample to an exterminator or to a competent public office, or to the university so that they can identify if it is a termite.
Step 3. Look for dirty underground tunnels in the foundations or outer walls
Subterranean termites build mud burrows to ensure a safe environment as they travel from underground colonies to their food sources. You can also find termites in the support pillars and their tunnels in the floor beams. The burrows are brown and generally have the diameter of a pencil or pen, although some may be larger.
Step 4. Open any dirt tunnels you find
Look for termites. You typically see worker termites which have small whitish translucent bodies. If you don't see them, they may have left that tunnel but you may still have an infestation.
Step 5. Make a note of any damaged wood
Cracks in coatings or labyrinths that look like tunnels can indicate a termite infestation in wood. The underground termites dig the wood along the veins and you can find them inside the dry mud or the earth.
Step 6. Check for sunken or puckered upholstery
Sometimes pits occur due to termites burrowing under coatings.
Step 7. Look for small holes in the drywall or plaster
Holes caused by termite infestations have dirt on the edges.
Step 8. Check for areas that appear to have water damage
Termite damage can look similar and include puffy floors or unstable ceilings and boards or window sills. Termite infestations can also cause mold or leave a musty smell.
Step 9. Look for fecal pellets as well
Wood termites, which usually live in walls or furniture, form colonies within wood. They make holes to throw out their waste and leave piles of fecal pellets near the holes. Check the furniture or walls if you see small holes. They are usually discolored and sealed from the inside. See if there are small piles of fecal pellets near the holes. The fecal pellets of wood termites are usually dry, smooth, dusty and of different colors.
Step 10. Collect the fecal pellets and dispose of them
Check the place every day to see if new ones appear. If not, the termites may have died or moved to a new colony.
Step 11. Tap the wooden furniture to see if any fecal pellets fall out of the holes
If you see small holes, or tunnels in furniture, wood floors, or walls, tap them to see if any fecal pellets fall out of the holes. Many antiques or older furniture have holes or tunnels, and are not necessarily haunted at the moment; but the fecal pellets are a sign of ongoing infestation.
