Termite swarmer season has just ended. Many fertile females are now looking for new promising nesting sites. In many cases they will look for decaying or dead dried out trees or wood piles. However, termites will also favor homes and other human domains. In the state of Texas, swarmers or the mating members of a colony will leave their homes and by the end of May, they would have finished their mating season. After May is the time for homeowners to keep a sharp eye out for possible signs that a female, now queen termite, just chose your home for her future colony. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control will share the common signs of a termite infestation or invasion.

Signs of Termite Infestations

1. Termite Tubes
There are various species of termites in Texas. One is the subterranean termite that is very sensitive to heat. Subterranean termites and a few other species will create mud looking tubes that are long and bigger than small copper tubing. They will make these tubes or tunnels along concrete or metal structures as passageways that provide them protection from the sun’s heat and predators. They may build these tube tunnels on the ground to climb up the side of a wall, or foundation of a home. Some of the longest tube tunnels ever discovered reached about 165 feet in length. These tubes are along the termites foraging trail and are large enough to allow soldier termites to accompany the workers. Unfortunately, subterranean termites most often make their tunnels underground in loose and damp soil which makes them much harder to detect.
2. Blowholes in Trees
Many species of termites will colonize at the bottom of a tree near the crown of the roots. To help protect themselves from predators, the alates will cut slits in the tree’s trunks for escape. The worker termites will seal the entrances or holes they use to help protect the queens and her eggs. As these blowholes emerge, the tree will often attempt to defend itself and sap will begin to pour out to hopefully kill the intruders. Trees with these signs may even sound hollow due to the termites work.
3. Earthen Packing
Termites will create what is known as Earthen Packing which is similar to the mud tubes. However, these tubes are not used for foraging, but for war. These mud tubes are larger and more direct then foraging tubes which often looks like vines.
4. Discarded Termite Wings
Each termite species wings will vary in size and color. Most termite wings are long, tear-drop shaped that are transparent often white or black. After a female has found a site to begin colonizing, she will remove her own wings. You can often find them on window ledges or outside near trees, or porches and decks. This is a bad sign if they are discovered close to the home. This means a Termite colony is underway in or near your home.

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These are but a few of the common signs of a termite infestation. If you feel like your home is under threat of termites, contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control. We can thoroughly inspect and treat any termite infestation inside or near your home. Contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control today!