Termites are destructive pests that can cause major damage to homes and structures. One of the first signs of a termite infestation is often hearing noises coming from within walls, floors, ceilings or wood trim. But can these noises actually be attributed to termites? Let’s take a closer look.
What Noises Do Termites Make?
Termites are famously quiet insects. They don’t vocalize, and they try to avoid detection as they consume wood and cellulose materials. However, their chewing and eating habits inside of wood structures can cause audible signs:
– Hollow “tapping” or “clicking” sounds as termites tunnel through wood. This noise occurs when the termites’ hard mandibles make contact with the wood as they gnaw.
– Light “scratching” or “scuttling” noises as worker termites move through tunnels and kick debris aside. Sometimes described as similar to the scurrying of mice.
– A light “rustling” noise heard when a termite colony is large and very active inside a wall cavity or other hollow space.
– Dull thudding or vibration noises of termites working in a wood member. The vibrations from their chewing can travel through walls and be audible.
So in general, the termite noises you may hear in walls, floors or wood trim are relatively soft and hard to pinpoint. They are subtle hollow taps, light scuttles, and faint rustling rather than loud chomping or buzzing. You often have to listen closely and carefully to detect them.
When Are Termite Sounds Most Noticeable?
The noises termites make are most likely to be audible at times when the termites are active and plentiful. This includes:
– Spring: In early spring when the weather warms, termite activity increases as colonies start growing again after winter. Tapping or scuttling may be noticeable as they extend their tunnels.
– Summer: Termites are very active in warm summer weather with their entire colony working hard. High termite activity leads to increased noise levels.
– Evening Hours: Termites tend to be more active at night. So their subtle noises may be more noticeable in the quiet evenings or at night inside a bedroom wall.
– After Rain: Moisture drives termite activity. Following a soaking rain or a spike in humidity, increased termite movement may make pests more audible.
If you hear odd light tapping, scratching or fluttering sounds coming from within a wall, and they seem to increase during spring, summer, evenings or after heavy rain or moisture, it’s likely termite activity causing it.
Other Causes of Noises in Walls
While termites are one possibility, it’s important to note there are other causes of strange noises within home walls:
– Rodents: Mice or rats moving through walls can closely mimic the scuttling of termites. Their gnawing on wood or wiring also causes light tapping.
– Pipes: Changes in temperature or water flow can lead to thumping or rattling noises traveling through pipes in walls. This is most common with hot water pipes.
– Plumbing: Air trapped in plumbing lines or loose pipes knocking against framing may cause thudding noises coming from walls.
– Electrical: Fuses, wiring issues or electrical arcing can lead to snapping, buzzing or sizzling sounds within walls.
– Settling: Natural shifts in the wood framing as environmental conditions change may lead to creaking or groaning.
– Wind: Strong winds can create a fluttering noise within wall cavities or vents as air flows through.
– Other insects: Occasionally other pests like powderpost beetles, carpenter bees or earwigs take up residence in walls and make subtle noises.
So don’t assume that any strange sound in a wall cavity is automatically termites. Carefully consider the noise qualities, when noises occur and rule out other likely sources first. An inspection and tapping tests around the area where noises originate can help identify if termites are to blame.
Signs of Termite Damage
Hearing noises in the wall is just one sign of termites. It’s important to also watch for other termite signs and damage. Telltale signs of termites include:
– Mud tubes along foundation walls, pier blocks or other Masonry surfaces. Termites build these earthen tubes as sheltered passages between their colony and food sources.
– Wood surfaces that sound hollow when tapped. Termites consume the interior wood first, leaving just a thin shell in many cases.
– Peeling paint or popped nails on wood trim or sidings. As termites eat the wood behind these surfaces, it can cause the paint or nails to loosen and bulge.
– Cracked drywall seams around wood trim or along the ceiling. Damaged wood behind the drywall can lead to visible cracking along drywall seams and nail/screw pops.
– Sagging doors, floors or wood trim sections. Termite damage severely compromises the structural strength of wood, causing sagging.
– Sparse spiderwebs and less wood debris around door/window frames and baseboards. Termites clean out much of the typical wood debris as they eat, leaving less for catching spiderwebs.
– Swarming winged termites, especially in spring. Seeing the winged reproductive termites emerge inside is a sure sign of an active local colony.
– Frass pellets. These are the wood-colored debris pellets from termite feces often found around active termite areas or tunneling.
If you see these signs of termites in addition to hearing noises in walls, it’s a clear indicator that termites are actively infesting the area.
Termite Inspection
If there are noises coming from within your walls, or other signs of termites are present, it’s important to have a thorough termite inspection performed. A professional termite inspector will:
– Tap along walls, floors, trim and wood furniture listen for areas that sound hollow. This signals damaged wood behind the surface.
– Probe wood with a screwdriver or pick to look for areas that seem unusually soft and damaged.
– Look for mud tubes and the other signs of termites listed above.
– If signs point to termite presence, they may cut out small “exploratory” sections of drywall to inspect the wood framing for damage.
– Use specialized tools like a moisture meter and an endoscope camera to inspect wood moisture levels and inside walls.
– Note if there are conducive conditions like moisture issues or wood-soil contact that encourage termite infestation.
– Determine if live termites are present and active based on the evidence and their professional judgement.
This detailed inspection is essential to confirm that termites are truly responsible for the noises heard in walls, evaluate the extent of damage, and determine if treatment is required. If no evidence of termites is found, then other potential causes of the noises can be further investigated.
Termite Treatment Options
If termites are confirmed to be the source of noises within walls or other areas, professional termite treatment is recommended. Some treatment options include:
– Liquid soil treatment: Termiticides are applied around the home’s foundation and other areas to create a treated zone lethal to termites. This helps eliminate colonies in the soil before they can enter the home’s wood structure.
– Bait systems: In-ground bait stations containing termite attractant and a slow-acting poison are installed. Foraging termites consume the bait and spread the poison within the colony.
– Wood treatments: Damaged wood is treated with borate-based chemicals or replaced. This kills remaining termites and prevents them from re-infesting treated areas.
– Fumigation: The entire home is sealed and filled with a termite-killing gas. This eliminates all termites inside the structure simultaneously.
– Physical barriers: Termite shields, foam, mesh, and sealants are installed to block termite access. This is often used along with other treatments.
The right treatment or combination of termite treatments depends on the details of your specific infestation. An experienced pest control professional can advise on the best solution. Prompt treatment after confirming termites stops further damage and prevents costly repairs later on.
Preventing Termites
To help avoid termite problems and noises in walls in the first place, some prevention tips include:
– Eliminate wood-soil contact around the home’s foundation. This is one of the top risk factors for subterranean termites.
– Ventilate crawl spaces, moisture-prone areas and attics. Excess moisture encourages termite colonies.
– Routinely inspect the exterior for mud tubes and other termite signs. Catching them early is key.
– Create mulch-free zones along the foundation walls. Mulch provides termites easy, hidden access.
– Replace damaged wood trim, siding or structural members. Damaged wood attracts foraging termites.
– Have periodic professional termite inspections. Spotting termites early prevents major damage.
With diligent prevention and early termite detection, the noises of termite infestation within walls can be avoided! Act promptly if noises or other evidence points to termite presence.
Conclusion
Termites are capable of producing light tapping, scratching, scuttling and rustling noises within walls, wood trim and structural timber as they tunnel and feed. However, other household noises like rodents, pipes, wind and settling can produce similar sounds. Visible termite damage, moisture issues, swarmers and debris are important signs to confirm termites as the cause of noises within a home’s structure. If termites are found to be present, specialized termite treatments should be applied by a professional pest control expert to eliminate the colony, prevent spread and stop the noises. With thorough prevention measures and vigilant monitoring for early termite signs like noises and tubes, costly damage can be avoided. Acting promptly when telltale noises arise can nip a termite infestation in the bud.