- 1). Look for swarmers. These are young termites and are winged. If you see swarmers in your home, around your foundation or on your porch, it is a strong indicator that your home has a termite infestation. The winged termites can be mistaken for winged ants. Look closely at one of the insects. The termite has a straight antennae compared to an ant's bent ones. The termite will also have wings that are similar in size; whereas the ant's wings are different sizes. When looking for winged termites, remember also that they can be found around lights, doors and windows.
- 2). Search your house for dirt tubes. You may need a flashlight as you should look into all crawl spaces. Look also around the foundation, floor slabs and support piers. These tubes are what the termites use to have cover as they go back and forth from their underground home to your house to feed. The tubes are usually about as thick as a pen, though may be a bit thicker.
- 3). Check your walls, floors and panels carefully. Termite infestations will eventually be evidenced by damaged wood. This wood damage will be different than if it were another type of insect because the wood will be hollowed out along the grain. Inside the hollowed wood there will be pieces of dried mud or soil.
- 4). Observe any pile of wings that you find. As the swarmers mature, they shed their wings. Thus, a pile of wings is strong evidence for the presence of a termite infestation in your house.
- 5). Look at the evidence and determine if you do have an infestation. If this is affirmative, take steps to rid your house of them. Most local exterminators can help you with this.
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