Termite Detection and Prevention

By Frank G. Ross

Termites.  Just the mention of the word is enough to cause some people to roll their eyes and groan while others shudder in disgust.  The name termite comes from the Latin word for woodworm – a very appropriate name since termites feed primarily on wood and other dead plant material, more specifically the cellulose fiber of plants. 

What this means for homeowners or homebuyers is that any house constructed of wood components on the interior or exterior is susceptible to infestation from termites or other wood-destroying insects.  Once inside a home, termites might feed not only on wood, but also paper, books, cloth, cabinets and carpets.

Termites prefer to remain within their ideal environment, tending to stay hidden in tunnels in earth or wood or in tubes of their own making.  For this reason, their presence often goes unnoticed until it becomes obvious. 

Telltale signs of termite infestation include mud tubes, swarms or damaged wood members.  Mud tubes are usually about the size of a pencil and connect the colony to infested wood.  They may be visible on a concrete foundation or hidden behind siding.  I have seen them lining the walls and hanging from the ceiling of a little used storage room.

Spring is the time of year that large numbers of winged termites emerge from their protected environment.  Triggered by warmer temperatures and a more abundant water supply, they swarm to disperse and begin new colonies.  (Some types of ants also do this and may be easily confused with termites due to their similarity in appearance.)  Once on the ground, they shed their wings and pair off.  Fortunately few of these winged termites, which are incapable of eating wood, survive exposure.  The remains of a swarm are best removed with a vacuum; however a swarm does indicate a more serious infestation which should not be ignored.

Termite-damaged wood is usually hollowed out along the grain with bits of dried mud or soil lining the tunnel.  Wood damaged by water or other wood destroying insects will not have this appearance.  However, infestation may not be evident because termites tend to leave the outer surface of a wood member intact.  Discovery of hollowed wood may happen only by accident such as if a vacuum cleaner bumps into a baseboard revealing the damage behind. 

Confirmation of the presence of termites is best done by an experienced termite inspector or a licensed pest control company. A termite inspector visually checks over the home for the presence of termite damage or evidence of past treatment for termites.  A termite inspection report does not, however, guarantee that a home is free of termites because the inspector only reports on what he can see. Things such as stored items in closets, under cabinets, firewood stored along the side of the house or garage, tools and such make it impossible for a termite inspector to see every inch of the home and some evidence of termites may not be found until the “spring cleaning” urge hits a person who cleans out the garage, or closets.

Many termite problems can be prevented. The intent of treatment or prevention measures is to create a continuous, impenetrable barrier around the home.  This is practically impossible to achieve in real life, however certain actions can make the possibility of a termite infestation less likely.  The following suggestions may help:

• have at least a 2-inch clearance between the house and planter boxes or flower beds
• eliminate all wood-to-soil contacts such as trellises, untreated fence posts, and stair case supports (incorporate masonry blocks or treated wood as a base)
• keep shrubs and other plantings trimmed away from the house to help make it easier to inspect the foundation line
• seal openings in the foundation
• remove wood scraps or stumps from around foundations
• in a crawlspace, have at least 12"-18" clearance between floor beams and the soil underneath
• don’t stack firewood along the walls of a house or garage or shed

A detailed Fact Sheet is available online from the Ohio State University extension at http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2092.html.  The University of Nebraska Lincoln provides a Handbook for Homeowners on termites.  A link to an online version or to order your own copy can be found at http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/.  Interested readers can also read Ten Termite FAQ’s at The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food website (http://ag.utah.gov/plantind/termiteFAQ.html). 

Frank Ross is a Certified Utah Home Inspector for Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspection, a full member of the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors and a member in good standing with the Utah Better Business Bureau.  Readers may contact Mr. Ross at (435) 867-6400 or frank.ross@pillartopost.com