#1) Discarded Termite Wings
During termite swarming season in spring and early summer, you may notice winged termites (called alates) flying around your home, particularly near light sources. After swarming, termites shed their wings, leaving small piles behind.
Discarded wings near windowsills, doorways, other entry points, or light sources are a common sign that an active termite nest has been established near your home.
#2) Frass (Termite Droppings)
Termite droppings are known as frass, and are just about as pleasant as you might expect. Three different types of termites are common in Columbia, with each type leaving behind distinct droppings.
Drywood termites leave behind tiny, wood-colored droppings as they eat through wood. If you have a current infestation, you may find small piles of these droppings near wooden furniture and window sills or around baseboards.
#3) Mud Tubes
Subterranean and Formosan termites build mud tubes to travel between their nest and food sources. You'll typically find them along your home's foundations or on other surfaces in direct contact with the ground.
Look for mud tubes on the exterior of your home. The mud tubes are about the width of a pencil. They may look like a child had drawn a Pac-Man maze in mud by glopping it onto your walls.
#4) Hollow or Damaged Wood
One of the first signs of termites is wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a thin outer layer that may collapse under pressure.
Check window frames, doorframes, and baseboards regularly for this early sign of a termite infestation.
#5) Sagging or Warped Floors and Walls
Termites damage the wood beneath floors and behind walls, causing visible signs of damage over time, such as warping or sagging.
If your floors feel spongy or uneven, it could indicate a hidden termite infestation.