Signs of Termites in a Bakersfield Home
Termites often work out of sight. These are the signs to watch for, and what they mean.
Request pest controlMud tubes
Pencil-width mud tunnels on foundations, walls or in crawl spaces are a sign of subterranean termites.
Pellets
Small piles of tiny, hard pellets under wood are a sign of drywood termites.
Swarmers and wings
Winged insects swarming indoors or near windows, or piles of wings on sills, point to a colony nearby.
Damaged wood
Wood that sounds hollow, crumbles or has blistered paint can hide termite galleries.
Doors and windows
Sticking doors and windows can be a sign of damage in frames.
Termites vs ants
Winged termites have straight antennae, a broad waist and equal-length wings; winged ants have elbowed antennae and a pinched waist.
Don't disturb them
Breaking tubes or spraying can make inspection harder. Leave evidence for the inspector.
Book an inspection
See termites.
Moisture and wood
Leaky pipes, air conditioner drips and sprinklers hitting walls keep wood and soil damp, which subterranean termites love. Fixing moisture problems is one of the simplest ways to lower the risk.
When swarms happen
Subterranean termites often swarm on warm days after rain, typically in spring. Drywood termites tend to swarm later in the warm season. Seeing swarmers indoors is a strong sign the colony is in or under the house.
Inspection frequency
In areas where termites are common, an inspection every few years catches activity early. Homes with past infestations, wood-to-soil contact or moisture problems may benefit from more frequent checks.
Buying a home
If you're buying, review the wood-destroying organism report carefully and ask what has been treated and what's recommended.
Keep records
Keep treatment records and warranties. Many termite treatments come with a service agreement that requires yearly checks to stay valid.
More pest control guides
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