Termites are destructive pests that can cause significant damage to homes and structures. One of the challenges with termite infestations is determining whether the damage is old or new. Being able to identify new termite damage is important so that treatment can begin right away before the termites spread further. On the other hand, old damage that is no longer active may not require immediate treatment. There are several techniques that can be used to determine if termite damage is old or new.
Signs of New Termite Damage
Here are some of the main signs that suggest new, active termite damage:
Live Termites
The most definitive way to identify new termite damage is by spotting live termites in or around the damaged areas. Seeing swarmers, workers, soldiers, nymphs, or alates suggests an active infestation. Swarmers are winged reproductives that swarm when a mature colony splits. Workers are the pale termites that do the demolishing. Soldiers have large mandibles for defense. Nymphs are immature termites that resemble small workers. Alates are swarmers that have shed their wings after swarming. If you can match tunneling to the presence of any live termites, it confirms new damage.
Mud Tubes
Termites construct mud tubes on surfaces as protected pathways from their underground nest to food sources. The tubes are made from chewed wood, soil, and termite saliva. Intact mud tubes leading to or from damaged areas indicate current termite activity. Break open tubes to look for termites traveling through them. New tubes will look smooth and soft. Old dried tubes will appear cracked and brittle.
Frass
Frass refers to the fecal pellets and wood debris that termites push out of their tunnels as they feed. The presence of fresh frass is a strong indicator of live termites actively tunneling in that area. Dry or old frass gets bleached by the sun over time. New frass near damaged wood will be soft, pliable, and light brown.
Hollowed or Damaged Wood
Termite damage begins inside the core of the wood, hollowing it out and leaving only a thin outer layer. Tap on damaged wood listening for a hollow sound, or probe it with a knife or screwdriver to check for extensive interior damage. Wood that is freshly excavated will look clean, soft, and layered. Old galleries are more debris-filled as termites abandon them.
Swarmers
Seeing swarmers emerging indoors or collecting around windows can indicate a new termite infestation in the structure. Termite swarms happen in late spring/summer as mature colonies reproduce. The winged swarmers seek to start new colonies. Their presence means there is a central colony in the building.
Signs of Old Termite Damage
Here are the signs that suggest termite damage is not new or active:
No Live Termites
If thorough inspections around damaged wood reveal no live termites, it likely means the infestation is old. Confirm there are no swarmers, workers, soldiers, nymphs, alates, or wings. Also check for the absence of mud tubes, shelter tubes, and frass. Make sure to inspect surrounding areas as well.
Damage Appears Weathered
Wood that has been long-damaged by termites starts to show signs of weathering and aging. It may turn grayish from sun exposure. The edges of galleries appear smooth and worn down over time. Exit holes have been filled in with debris. Probing reveals substantial hollowness in the wood. All of these point to older termite damage.
Mud Tubes Are Cracked
Old mud tubes will be dried out and cracked all over their surface. They appear flattened and sometimes crumbling. The tubes will not have smooth rounded edges but rather rough jagged ones. You should not find any termites if you break the tubes open. Brittle tubes indicate inactivity for some time.
No Swarmers
If it is not swarming season, the lack of termite swarmers suggests no new colony establishment. Swarming only happens certain times of year when mature colonies reproduce. Outside of swarming season, emergence of swarmers is minimal. No swarmers present likely means damage was done by a past infestation.
Frass Is Old
Frass from old damage will be dried out and bleached from sun exposure. It will be very lightweight and crumble apart easily when handled. New frass has a tight pellet shape, light brown color, and moist/clumpy texture when grouped. Old frass means the termites have moved out of that area.
Inspect Damaged Areas Thoroughly
When trying to determine if termite damage is old or new, the most important strategy is to thoroughly inspect the damaged areas inside and out. Get into crawlspaces, basements, attics, and anywhere you find termite activity signs. Use a moisture meter to detect higher moisture areas termites favor. Probe wood with an awl or screwdriver. Check interior spaces and foundation perimeters. The more extensively you inspect, the better sense you will have if damage is new or old.
Compare Damaged and Undamaged Wood
Take note of differences between damaged wood and undamaged wood. Fresh termite damage will stand out as softer, lighter in color, and more hollowed than surrounding wood. Tap on wood listening for a change in sound. In contrast, older damage blends more smoothly into the undamaged areas with natural aging and weathering over time. The differences make it easier to discern new damage.
Monitor Areas for Changes
One technique for determining new versus old damage is to monitor and re-inspect areas at intervals. Take photos and keep notes of damaged wood. Look for changes that indicate new activity like tunnels, live termites, frass, or increased wood destruction. If damage appears stalled after several weeks, it likely is old. Any spreading damage clearly indicates an active infestation.
Call a Professional
There are limits to what an untrained eye can discern. For a definitive determination on whether termite damage is old or new, it is best to have a professional termite inspector assess the situation. They have the expertise, tools, and inspecting experience to confidently determine if an infestation is active or inactive. This ensures you have the right information to decide on next steps.
Treatment Options
If new termite activity and damage is detected, then professional termite treatment will be needed. Various treatment options exist:
Liquid Soil Treatment
This involves creating a chemical barrier around and under the structure by trenching and injecting termiticides. It provides thorough protection.
Termite Baits
Bait stations containing slow-acting poisons are placed around the home. Worker termites feed on the bait and transfer it to the rest of the colony.
Wood Treatments
Infested wood is treated with borates to kill termites that consume it. This targets localized areas.
Heat Treatments
Heating infested wood via steam or microwave kills termites by raising interior temperatures. No chemicals are used.
Professional inspection and an integrated treatment plan targeting all infested and high-risk areas provides the best results in eliminating new termite damage and preventing it from spreading further in the structure.
Prevention Tips
Here are some DIY tips for preventing termites and minimizing risks of new infestations:
- Eliminate wood debris and tree stumps from soil near the home
- Ensure downspouts and gutters drain water away from foundation
- Avoid wood mulch or ground cover touching house exterior
- Seal cracks, joints, and entry points on foundation
- Store firewood off the ground and far from home
- Clean up fallen leaves and maintain proper drainage
Proper prevention steps make it less likely termites will damage your home. But periodic inspections are still needed to look for signs of new damage or infestations taking hold. Call in a professional for full home termite inspections at least once per year.
Conclusion
Identifying new termite damage quickly is crucial to prevent severe destruction as infestations grow. There are identifiable signs of new damage versus old if you know what to look for. Conduct thorough inspections yourself or enlist a professional inspector. Understanding the extent of active damage allows appropriate treatment to begin before the termites can spread further in the home’s wood. Implementing preventative measures disrupts conditions favored by termites. With vigilance, you can stay on top of new termite damage and keep your home’s wood protected.