UBCNews - Business - How To Tell If You Have Termites: Signs That You Don't Have To Be A Pro To See

Episode Date: February 26, 2026

So, have you ever tapped on a piece of wood in your home and heard that hollow sound? That could be termites eating away from the inside out. Today we're looking at the warning signs of termite infestations and how to protect your home before it's too late. Connor's Pest Pros City: Springfield Address: 5410 Port Royal Rd Website: https://connorspestpros.com/contact/

So have you ever tapped on a piece of wood in your home and heard that hollow sound? That could be termites eating away from the inside out. Today, we're looking at the warning signs of termite infestations and how to protect your home before it's too late. Right, and this is a huge issue. Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage annually in the United States alone. That's billion with a bee. That's staggering.

So let's talk about what homeowners here in Virginia and the D.C. metro area should be watching for. What are the most obvious warning signs? Well, one of the biggest giveaways is mud tubes. These are like pencil-width tunnels running along your foundation walls or basement. Subterranean termites build them to travel between their underground colonies and food sources while staying protected from dry air. Mm-hmm, I see. And if you don't see those tubes?

Then you want to look for hollow-sounding wood. Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving just a thin veneer on the surface. Tap on wood that looks fine, and if it sounds hollow, that's a red flag. They eat along the grain, creating this honeycomb pattern inside. That's actually pretty creepy when you think about it. I mean, you could have thousands of termites in your walls and not even know it. Exactly. What else should people be on the lookout for?

Well, discarded wings near windowsills or door frames. During spring, reproductive termites swarm to mate and establish new colonies. After they find a nesting site, they shed their wings. So if you see small piles of uniform wings that look like fish scales, that's a mature colony nearby. And I've heard about something called frass. What exactly is that? Frass is termite droppings, and it's a definitive sign of drywood termite activity. These small hexagonal pellets look like sawdust or coffee grounds.

dry wood termites push them out through kickout holes, so you'll often find little piles on windowsills or floors beneath infested wood. So to everyone listening, if you're seeing any of these signs, you're probably dealing with an active infestation. Now, are there different types of termites we need to worry about here in Virginia? Absolutely. Virginia homes are primarily threatened by eastern subterranean termites and Formosan termites. Eastern subterranean are the most common, a matured.

A fewer colony can consume about one foot of a two by four wooden beam in just six months. Wow, that's fast. Yeah, and for most hand termites are even worse. They're sometimes called super termites because they're so aggressive. A single colony can contain several million individuals and consume up to 13 ounces of wood daily. They can establish aerial nests that don't even require soil contact if there's a moisture source available.

million termites in one colony. That's like having an invisible army eating your house. That's a good way to put it. And, uh, I actually had a client once who thought the small piles of what looked like coffee grounds under her windowsill were just dust. She kept sweeping them up for weeks before calling us. Turned out to be drywood termite frass. The infestation had already spread to three different rooms. Oh, wow. That's a hard lesson to learn. It really is. That's why early detection matters so much. That point about early detection sets up our next piece, prevention strategies. But first, a quick word from our sponsor.

Conner's Pest Pros is a family-owned pest control company serving Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland since 1944. They offer specialized termite inspection and treatment services, including liquid termidicide barriers, bait station systems, and direct wood treatments. With same-day service for urgent situations and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, their total protection program provides complete termite coverage alongside pest and mosquito control. Learn more at Connorspestprose.com. Picking up on early detection, how does controlling moisture around your home actually help prevent termites? Virginia's humid climate creates perfect conditions for termite activity, so moisture control is essential. Subterranean termites thrive in damp environments.

You should repair leaky pipes, faucets, and air conditioning units promptly. In crawl spaces, install vapor barriers to prevent ground moisture from creating those humid conditions, termites love. Makes sense. What other DIY prevention steps can homeowners take? Eliminate wood-to-soil contact. This is critical because it removes a primary entry point for subterranean termites. Inspect your home's exterior for any wooden elements touching the ground, like door frames or deck posts. maintain at least a six-inch gap between wooden components and soil. Right, exactly. Also, store firewood properly.

Keep it at least 20 feet away from your home and elevate it off the ground. Firewood stacks against your house basically create a termite superhighway directly to your structure. That's practical advice. But let's say prevention didn't work and you've got an infestation. What are the professional treatment options? There are three main approaches. First, liquid termidicide barriers. These involve applying specialized liquid products to the soil around and beneath your home,

creating a protective zone that either repels or kills termites. Modern formulations can provide protection for 5 to 10 years. And the second option? Bate station systems. These are environmentally friendly and use cellulose materials that attract termites, along with slow-acting insecticides. Worker termites carry the product back to the colony, and it eventually eliminates the entire population, including the queen.

How do you think homeowners should decide which treatment is right for them? Honestly, it depends on the species and the extent of the infestation. That's why a thorough inspection by a professional is so important. They'll identify the termite species and recommend a customized treatment plan based on your home's unique needs. One thing I'm curious about. Are new homes safe from termites? Or is that a myth?

That's definitely a myth. New construction faces equal or sometimes greater termite risk. While building codes require pre-construction treatments, those typically last only five to ten years. Plus, construction activities often disturb existing soil colonies, and new developments in wooded areas can drive displaced termites toward fresh structures. So ongoing monitoring is key. You can't just treat once and forget about it. Exactly. Virginia termites remain active. year-round within their underground colonies. Worker termites continue feeding on wooden structures throughout all seasons, even during winter months. Visible activity peaks in spring and summer when swarms happen, but the damage is happening constantly. That's why ongoing protection plans

make so much sense. You need continuous monitoring to catch new activity before it causes serious damage. And I think that's the real takeaway here. Termites are persistent, so your protection needs to be persistent too. Right. Termite treatments can be the most complex of any household pest management issue. Different methods are often needed depending on the species and colony location. Professionals use specialized tools and techniques like rods inserted under your house to apply soil treatments. So bottom line, termites are a serious threat, but homeowners can protect themselves by staying vigilant, controlling moisture, eliminating wood-to-soil contact, and partnering with professionals.

for regular monitoring and treatment. Absolutely. Your home is your largest financial investment. Don't wait until you find hollow wood or mud tubes. By then, costly structural damage may already be occurring. Stay proactive, not reactive. Great advice. Thanks for breaking all of this down for us today.