Signs of Termites in Your Abilene Home

Termites can work in a house for a long time before anyone notices. Here's what Texas A&M AgriLife lists as the signs, and where to look.

Swarmers and wings

In spring and early summer, winged termites leave the colony in big numbers. If they come out inside the house, you'll find them or their dropped wings on windowsills, in spider webs and near indoor lights. Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a thick waist and four wings about the same length. Flying ants have a pinched waist and elbowed antennae.

Mud tubes

Subterranean termites build tubes of mud to travel from the soil into wood. AgriLife says to look on crawl space piers, near utility openings, and on foundation walls and slabs. Tubes can blend in with concrete, so look closely along cracks and corners. Break one open. If it's active, you'll see termites inside.

• Slab edges and expansion joints
• Where pipes and wires come through the foundation
• Crawl space piers and beams
• Garage walls

Damaged wood

Knock on trim and baseboards along outside walls. AgriLife says a hollow, dull sound may mean damage, and damaged wood confirms a current or past infestation. Bubbling paint and sagging floors are worth checking too.

What to do

Don't spray swarmers or tear things apart. Save a few in a bag, take pictures of tubes and damage, and call. A provider will inspect, confirm what's going on and explain the options. See termite control.

Services: Termite Control | Ant Control | Silverfish Control

More guides: Common pests in Abilene | Seasonal pests and weather | Scorpion season | Keeping scorpions out | What attracts roaches | Preventing bed bugs