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Signs of termites
Termites are found in two ways: someone sees a swarm, or someone pushes a screwdriver into wood that should be solid.
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The short version
- What to check
- Exposed wood near the ground, probed for hollow spots.
- Termite or ant
- Termite wings are equal in length and the antennae are straight.
- Call a company when
- Wood is hollow, or you see a swarm indoors.
Termite
- Wings roughly equal in length.
- Antennae straight; they may droop.
- Body with no narrow waist.
- Swarms often appear in spring.
Flying ant
- Front wings longer than the hind wings.
- Antennae bent at a ninety degree angle.
- A clearly pinched waist.
- Often mistaken for termites when they swarm.
What the EPA recommends
- Probe the wood"Examine, by probing, exposed wood for hollow spots." A flathead screwdriver is enough.
- Keep soil dryKeep the soil around the foundation dry through proper grading and drainage.
- Fix leaks"Fix leaks immediately." Damp wood is what termites are looking for.
- Move the wood"Do not pile or store firewood or wood debris next to the house."
What a pest control company will do
- Inspect the foundation, crawl space and exposed wood.
- Identify the insect and the extent of the damage.
- Explain the treatment options and what each covers.
- Put the findings and the price in writing.
The EPA is direct on this point: firms offering termite services "must be licensed by your state." Ask to see the license. Our city guides name the state office that issues it.
Related guides
Termite inspection: what you are paying for
Termite treatment: what drives the cost
Pest control: what you are paying forSources
- US Environmental Protection Agency: termites