The type of termite which causes the most damage in North America is the subterranean termite. It is important to understand home danger zones for termites. These are areas more likely to be vulnerable to infestation by these termites. Homeowners who understand the home danger zones can take corrective action to reduce chances of infestation by termites.

Since the subterranean termites require ample moisture in order to thrive, areas of proven moisture are more hospitable to these termites. Couple that with a food source which contacts moist areas or the soil, and there are ideal conditions for infestation. In order to reduce the chance of infestation, homeowners can know the home danger zones for termites and can take corrective action so that conditions are not ideal for termites.

Probably the most common danger zone for termites is earth/wood contact. Some people call this moisture to wall contact. This condition is where non-pressure treated wood material is in direct contact with the soil. When this condition is present, there is adequate moisture, adequate food, and adequate protection for the termites. This is a condition conducive to termite infestation. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if the lumber used for supports is pressure treated. Generally pressure treated lumber is marked with the type of treatment received at the mill. If the wooden material is not marked, assume that it is not treated. Wood goes beyond lumber; critical materials can be wooden siding or composite materials and these are just as palatable to termites as lumber.

Excessive moisture pooled around wood based materials can also be a condition which leads to termite infestation. Moisture around the foundation of a home might be due to poor grading, bad drainage, or faulty gutters.

Both earth/wood contact and excessive moisture should be corrected to reduce chances of infestation. Homeowners should periodically inspect areas for these defects.

The type of termite which causes the most damage in North America is the subterranean termite. It is important to understand home danger zones for termites. These are areas more likely to be vulnerable to infestation by these termites. Homeowners who understand the home danger zones can take corrective action to reduce chances of infestation by termites.

Since the subterranean termites require ample moisture in order to thrive, areas of proven moisture are more hospitable to these termites. Couple that with a food source which contacts moist areas or the soil, and there are ideal conditions for infestation. In order to reduce the chance of infestation, homeowners can know the home danger zones for termites and can take corrective action so that conditions are not ideal for termites.

Probably the most common danger zone for termites is earth/wood contact. Some people call this moisture to wall contact. This condition is where non-pressure treated wood material is in direct contact with the soil. When this condition is present, there is adequate moisture, adequate food, and adequate protection for the termites. This is a condition conducive to termite infestation. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if the lumber used for supports is pressure treated. Generally pressure treated lumber is marked with the type of treatment received at the mill. If the wooden material is not marked, assume that it is not treated. Wood goes beyond lumber; critical materials can be wooden siding or composite materials and these are just as palatable to termites as lumber.

Excessive moisture pooled around wood based materials can also be a condition which leads to termite infestation. Moisture around the foundation of a home might be due to poor grading, bad drainage, or faulty gutters.

Both earth/wood contact and excessive moisture should be corrected to reduce chances of infestation. Homeowners should periodically inspect areas for these defects.

Pressure treated lumber used in a structure must be “field treated” if cut in the field. That is, if a piece of pressure treated lumber is cut exposing non-treated interior, building codes require that the installer treat the end usually by painting on the product.

Pressure treated lumber must be impervious to decay and insect infestation; however, the guarantee is only for a few years. As the preservative may leach out over the years, the lumber can eventually be essentially the same as untreated wood. Pressure treated lumber is a great material and has much value; however, the homeowner must understand that just because pressure treated or “pretreated” wood was used does not mean that there is permanent protection against insects and decay. Termites can avoid pretreated wood by tunneling over the pretreated wood so that the insects do not contact the treated areas.

While pretreated wood is available in most lumberyards, there are products which contain borates which are less commonly found. Borates are derived from naturally occurring minerals mined in California. Borate pretreated wood is gaining more popularity due to customer preference.

Typically pretreated wood is used as the mudsill or sill plate in termite-prone areas. Also, pretreated wood can be used for joists in close proximity to the soil. Finally, pretreated wood is usually required by code where the wood will contact the soil.

Drywood termites, however, will readily infest furniture, so most infested furniture observed is likely being attacked by drywood termites. The tell tale sign of drywood infestation is drywood termite pellets or small ridged droppings of the color of the wood being attacked. Drywood termite infestation can also occur in furniture which has been transported from regions which have drywood termites and this can lead to an infestation of the structure.

Most infested furniture can be treated by surface treatment provided the product will penetrate into the wood. This treatment will control both subterranean and drywood termites.

Another method is the use of heat. Using this system, the furniture is heated beyond the point where termites can survive. This works well provided that care is taken to make sure that glue joints will not fail. If glue joints fail, the furniture must be reglued. Also, certain types of furniture may have plastics which may distort on heating.

A third method of treatment is fumigation. Fumigation involves the use of penetrating gas lethal to termites. The furniture is typically removed and placed into a container or chamber which can be sealed. An EPA registered gas such as sulfuryl fluoride is introduced and the gas penetrates the furniture, controlling the termites. Special precautions must be taken to make sure that there is no access to the container during fumigation. Special licenses and training are required to fumigate and is not something that a homeowner can do. After the proper time has elapsed, the container is opened to allow air to enter. After it is determined that there is no more fumigant present, the furniture is removed. As the fumigant is a gas, there is no residual in the furniture. Reinfestation is possible.

Direct Wood Treatment works well for both subterranean termites as well as drywood termites. In the case of subterranean termites, the colonies are large and spread out. Sometimes, subterranean termite colonies occupy parts of a house, or multiple houses plus soil areas. Infested wood can be protected and preserved by applying direct wood treatment to the wood. This will control not only termites infesting the wood but will prevent future infestations. Use of a Direct Wood Treatment for subterranean termites is a good but limited application.

Use of a Direct Wood Treatment for drywood termites might be more successful in that drywood colonies are smaller and more compact. If proper inspections are done, infested wood members of a structure or even other wood items such as furniture can be identified. When this is completed, wood treatments can be applied to control drywood termites as well as to further protect the wood from future infestations.

When Direct Wood Treatment technology is used, usually holes are drilled into the wood to allow the control product to get to where the termites are located. If the product is applied under pressure, the product will move through the termite galleries and through natural crevices in the wood. In addition, surface applications may be made, but as a sole method, these products will not penetrate deeply.

Direct wood treatment has a place in an integrated termite control program.

As part of the more formal real estate inspection, the inspector will probe the wood using a long rigid steel tool such as a long screwdriver or specialized tool. Beyond probing, the inspector may “sound” the wood with the butt end of the probing tool or a small hammer or similar device which creates momentum against the wood. This sounding is particularly important in slab foundation constructed homes as there is no access to inspect beneath and baseboards and similar wood components are in close proximity to the soil.

When sounding wood, the inspector will tap along vulnerable areas, listening for solid sounding wood. If the wood sounds “punky” or “hollow” the inspector will scrutinize the area further by probing and perhaps taking moisture readings. If there is no way to ascertain whether there is infestation present, the homeowner may opt to remove the baseboard or molding to examine the area further. Dismantling is not required as part of the inspection and is usually not done by the inspector.

Hollow sounding wood as a sign of termites is common in areas where termite infestation is common. The hollow sound may be from the wood that is destroyed by the termites or softer decayed wood. Also, peculiar sounding wood may be from improper nailing to the studs.

If there is any concern about the hollow sounding wood as potential signs of termite infestation, a professional pest control company should be contacted.

Loose floor tiles as a sign of termites can occur by the additional moisture that termites might introduce into a floor. That moisture might cause the tiles to buckle and heave which can lead to the tiles becoming loose. As the tiles age, the adhesive might not be as strong and the introduction of moisture to the backing may cause the adhesive to fail. When this occurs, even the weight of a person on the tile may cause the tile to shift and become loose. Tiles which become loose by moisture causing a failure of the adhesive are typically soft and pliable such as the vinyl tiles which are placed in place after removing the backer tape during construction. Older tiles which might be parquet wood or laminate wood can swell with moisture and cause them to become loose, either by termite activity or leaks. As termites need moisture, leaks or excessive moisture can lead to termite infestation.

Another instance where loose floor tiles as a sign of termites can be observed is in the case of ceramic or porcelain tile. While it might seem extraordinary for this to occur in such heavy tiles, it is not so much moisture as the culprit but the actual termites. When excessive moisture due to a leak soaks into the subfloor beneath the tiles, termites may find the area and may infest the subfloor. As they consume the wood, there is no adequate support for the entire tile and the tiles may come loose or may wobble. So even ceramic or porcelain tiles are not immune the damaging effects of termites.

When subterranean termites infest wood, they usually will not emerge into sunlight or air as light and dry air can be harmful to them. For protection, they live just below the surface of the wood. As termites need moisture, the termite galleries will contain moisture, brought by the termites. As any painted surface which has moisture behind it will react, the painted surfaces adjacent to termite infestation may peel or bubble. Not all bubbling or peeling paint on a structure is a guarantee that there are termites behind the painted surface, but bubbling or peeling can be a sign of moisture.

As the subterranean termites avoid exposure to the exterior of the surfaces, they can regulate the humidity and temperature to optimum conditions. They do this by varying the depth into the wood for temperature control and by humidifying the area with moisture. When the moisture migrates to the paint surfaces through the wood, the paint will bubble and peel. Another way that bubbling and peeling paint relates to infestation is that if the termites consume the wood directly behind the paint, there is nothing holding the thin coat of paint and it will crack, bubble, or peel. Moisture can also get behind paint surfaces due to leaks or even poor sealing and cause bubbling and peeling so a careful inspection is required to determine the cause.

If there are signs of bubbling or peeling paint inside a home, the homeowner should look for water leaks. If there are no leaks, the area should be probed to see if the wood is soft. If there is any question as to whether there are termites present, the homeowner should contact a professional pest control company to perform a proper inspection.

Bubbling or peeling paint can be an early warning that termites are present.

With the increased emphasis on “green” which translates into energy savings attempts, the use of insulation in new construction, remodeling, and even commercial building has skyrocketed. Also, certain green certifications such as the US Green Building Council’s LEED program, require the use of insulation and energy savings. Further building codes require extensive attempts at energy savings.

Termites are not normally found in fiberglass insulation but they are commonly found in foam board insulation, especially if the foam board goes below grade on the exterior of a structure. Foam board below grade allows a direct conduit through the insulation into a structure. Researchers have concluded that termites do not eat the foam board insulation but they will tunnel through it. Insulation also provides potential protection from predators and also retains moisture, two requirements of termites. Foam board will also insulate so that there is a constant temperature in the foam board, a condition most favored by termites.

Wall & insulation damage from termites:

In order to prevent termites from entering a structure by tunneling through insulation, the International Residential Code, the nation’s model building code, prohibits use of foam board below grade in areas the code lists as “very heavy termite infestation” unless there is some method used to protect the foam board. This can be a physical barrier or a treated foam board. If infested, there is no way to treat the foam board and generally the foam board must be removed which is a costly procedure.

Researchers are looking for other methods to protect foam board as it is susceptible to termite attack even in areas which are not designated as “very heavy” termite areas.

Termite damage can be as simple as scarring on a piece of paneling to serious structural damage. Most advanced damage appears in the form of leafed or layered damage as the termite prefers sap wood and leaves the heartwood when possible.

Severe Wall and Ceiling Damage:

Ceiling Damage:

Foam Insulation Damage:

Damage to Insulation and Wall:

Damage Under a Slab:

Drywall Damage:

Wall Damage Inside Home:

Exterior Bay Window Damage:
Note the bubbles in the paint.