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Termites are a homeowner's nightmare. These tiny but destructive insects can silently wreak havoc on your property, leading to structural damage that can be costly to repair. As a home inspector or a prospective homeowner, knowing how to identify termite damage during a home inspection is crucial to preventing future headaches. Termites often go unnoticed until significant damage is done, so recognizing the early signs can save time, money, and the integrity of a home.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through what termite damage looks like, where to find it, and how to protect your investment from these pests.
Termite damage occurs when termites feed on wood and other cellulose materials in a home. This can weaken the structural integrity of beams, joists, walls, and even furniture. While termites are most commonly associated with wood, some species can damage insulation, plaster, and other construction materials.
Because termites work from the inside out, the damage they cause may not always be immediately visible. That’s why identifying the signs of termite activity during a home inspection is so important.
In Boston and throughout New England, two primary types of termites are of concern: subterranean and drywood termites. Subterranean termites are the only type found in this region, and they live in colonies underground, building mud tubes to access above-ground wood sources. Drywood termites are present in other parts of the country and , can infest wooden structures without needing contact with soil.
Both types of termites can cause significant damage, but their behavior and the signs they leave behind may differ slightly.
During a home inspection, you’ll want to be on the lookout for several key indicators of termite damage. Here are some of the most common signs:
Subterranean termites create pencil-thin mud tubes to travel between their colony in the soil and their food source—your home’s wood. These tubes provide the moisture and protection termites need to survive as they move between their nest and the wood. Mud tubes are typically found along a home’s foundation, exterior walls, or in crawl spaces. Break open any tubes you find; if they’re active, you may see live termites!
One of the most telling signs of a termite infestation is wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving behind only a thin veneer of paint or wood on the surface. If you notice blistering or bubbling in wood surfaces, inspect the area further for hollowing. You can tap on wood beams, baseboards, and other structures with a tool or the handle of a screwdriver. A hollow sound is an immediate red flag that termites may have been at work.
Termites swarm during their reproductive cycle, typically in the Spring months. After termites mate, they shed their wings, which can accumulate in piles near windows, doors, or other light sources. If you find these discarded wings inside or around the home, it’s a sign that a termite swarm has taken place. Even if you don’t see live termites, the presence of wings is an indicator of an active colony nearby.
Termite damage can lead to the weakening of structural components like beams, joists, and supports, which can cause sagging or uneven floors and ceilings. If you notice buckling or a soft spot in the flooring during an inspection, this could be a sign that termites have damaged the underlying wood.
Termites often enter homes through small cracks in the foundation, walls, or wood structures. Once inside, they can hollow out wooden materials, causing the surface paint to crack, bubble, or peel. These signs are often mistaken for water damage, but if termites are the culprit, the paint is typically covering hollow wood underneath.
Though it may sound strange, you can sometimes hear termites before you see them. Soldier termites make a distinct “head banging” noise when they tap their heads against the walls of tunnels to signal danger to other termites in the colony. If you’re inspecting a quiet home and hear faint tapping noises coming from the walls, this could be a sign of termite activity.
Green or beige circle-shaped plastic discs or wooden stakes on the ground, spaced evenly around the perimeter of the home.
These discs are the tops/caps to termite monitoring and bait stations that are used in treatment for termites. Wooden stakes are also used as “bait” for a food source to monitor for activity. If you see these, or even just a few of them, there is a good chance that there were termites on this property at some point, requiring treatment.
Now that you know what to look for, it’s essential to know where to look during a home inspection. Here are some common areas where termites tend to do the most damage:
If you discover termite damage during a home inspection, it’s important to assess the extent of the infestation and determine the next steps. If the damage is minor and caught early, it may be possible to eradicate the termites and repair the affected areas without major structural issues. However, if the infestation is severe, it could compromise the safety of the home and require extensive repairs.
In either case, it’s essential to contact a pest control professional who specializes in termites. They can evaluate the situation, confirm the presence of termites, and provide a treatment plan. If you’re a prospective buyer, it’s also wise to consult with your realtor and legal counsel about how termite damage might affect the sale or the terms of your purchase.
Termites may be small, but the damage they cause can be significant. Being able to identify the signs of termite activity during a home inspection is critical to protecting your property and avoiding costly repairs. By keeping an eye out for mud tubes, hollow wood, discarded wings, and other signs, you can catch an infestation early and take action before it becomes a major issue.
For homeowners in Boston, where historic and older homes are common, staying vigilant about termite damage is particularly important. An annual termite inspection and prompt treatment can help keep these destructive pests at bay.
Contact MKC Associates to schedule your home reinspection and keep the purchase process moving quickly!
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