Termite Signs by Species

Overview

Most common in the U.S. (95% of infestations). Live in underground colonies, build mud tubes to access above-ground wood.

Geographic range: All U.S. states except Alaska; most common in southern and coastal regions

Colony size: 60,000 to 2 million workers

Damage potential: High; can cause significant structural damage over time

Distinctive Signs

1. Mud tubes (shelter tubes)

• Pencil-width (¼ to ½ inch) earthen tunnels
• Found on foundations, walls, pipes, or wood
• Protect termites from air and predators during travel
• May be active or abandoned (break open to check)

Learn more: Mud Tubes Explained

2. Swarmer characteristics

• Dark brown to black bodies
• Two pairs of equal-length wings (milky/translucent)
• Swarm in spring (March-May typically)
• Attracted to light
• Discarded wings near windows, doors, light fixtures

3. Damage patterns

• Eat along the wood grain
• Galleries packed with soil/mud
• Prefer softwood (spring growth)
• Damage often near ground level first
• Wood sounds hollow when tapped

4. Moisture indicators

• Require contact with soil moisture
• Activity near leaks, poor drainage, or damp areas
• Moisture damage often accompanies infestation

Where to Look

• Foundation perimeter (exterior and interior)
• Crawl spaces and basements
• Around plumbing penetrations
• Wood-to-soil contact points
• Porches, decks, and steps
• Areas with moisture problems

Overview

Live entirely within wood. No soil contact needed. Smaller colonies but can infest multiple locations.

Geographic range: Southern coastal states (CA, FL, TX, LA, SC, GA, AL, MS); Hawaii

Colony size: 2,500 to 10,000 members (much smaller than subterranean)

Damage potential: Moderate to high; slower but can be extensive over years

Distinctive Signs

1. Frass (droppings)

• Distinctive pellet-like droppings
• Hexagonal shape with six concave sides
• Color matches wood being eaten
• Found in small piles below kick-out holes
• Dry, hard pellets (not moist or muddy)

Learn more: Termite Droppings Guide

2. Kick-out holes

• Small round holes (1-2mm diameter)
• Used to push frass out of galleries
• May be sealed with fecal plug
• Often found in furniture, trim, or structural wood

3. Swarmer characteristics

• Pale yellow-brown to dark brown
• Two pairs of equal-length wings
• Swarm in late summer/fall (varies by species)
• Often swarm at dusk
• May swarm from inside structure

4. Damage patterns

• Galleries cut across wood grain
• Clean galleries (no mud or soil)
• Smooth gallery walls
• Can occur anywhere in structure (not just ground level)
• Often in attics, furniture, door/window frames

Where to Look

• Attics and roof structures
• Window and door frames
• Furniture (especially antiques)
• Hardwood floors
• Trim and molding
• Exposed wood beams

Overview

Largest termites in North America. Require high moisture content in wood. Less common in structures.

Geographic range: Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Florida; prefer coastal/humid areas

Colony size: Few thousand members

Damage potential: Moderate; usually limited to moisture-damaged wood

Distinctive Signs

1. Large size

• Soldiers and reproductives much larger than other species
• Swarmers up to 1 inch long (including wings)
• Reddish-brown color

2. Frass characteristics

• Pellets larger than drywood frass
• Often stuck together (higher moisture)
• May not be pushed out (galleries may contain frass)

3. Moisture association

• Always in very damp or decaying wood
• Wood must have 20%+ moisture content
• Often in wood with fungal decay
• Common in logs, stumps, dead trees

4. Damage patterns

• Large, smooth galleries
• No mud or soil in galleries
• Galleries may contain fecal pellets
• Damage limited to wet wood areas

Where to Look

• Roof leaks and water-damaged areas
• Poorly ventilated crawl spaces
• Wood in contact with soil
• Leaking plumbing areas
• Fence posts and landscape timbers
• Firewood piles near structure

Overview

Most aggressive subterranean species. "Super termite" due to large colonies and rapid damage. Invasive species in U.S.

Geographic range: Southeastern states (LA, MS, AL, FL, GA, SC, NC, TX, TN); Hawaii

Colony size: Up to 10 million members (much larger than native subterranean)

Damage potential: Very high; can cause severe damage in months rather than years

Distinctive Signs

1. Massive swarms

• Swarm at dusk in late spring/early summer
• Thousands of swarmers at once
• Pale yellow-brown bodies
• Hairy wings
• Strongly attracted to lights

2. Carton nests

• Build above-ground nests made of chewed wood, soil, and saliva
• Hard, papery material
• Found in walls, attics, or trees
• Retain moisture for colony
• Unique to Formosan termites

3. Extensive mud tubes

• More numerous and larger than native subterranean
• May cover large wall areas
• Complex branching patterns

4. Rapid, widespread damage

• Can consume 13 ounces of wood per day (per colony)
• Attack multiple structures simultaneously
• Damage both sound and moisture-damaged wood
• More aggressive than native species

Where to Look

• Entire structure (not limited to ground level)
• Trees and landscape features
• Utility poles and wooden structures
• Boats and docks
• Any wood source near colony