Termites: What to Know

Written by Stephanie Watson, Candina Jordan
Medically Reviewed by Shruthi N, MD on February 05, 2025
9 min read

Termites are underground insects that feed on wood. They tend to damage homes and other buildings. Termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage. Every year, home and building owners spend over 2 billion dollars to prevent and treat termite damage.

What do termites look like?

Worker termites are about 1/4 inch long and cream-colored, with no eyes. They use chemical signals to communicate with each other. 

There are also soldier termites with large heads and jaws that protect the workers and defend the colony. The king and queen of the colony are brown. Adults are wingless, but they start their life cycle with wings so they can swarm to form a new colony.

There are over 2,500 different types of termites. Termite species are grouped based on their habitats.

  • Dry wood and damp wood termites live in decaying wood with various moisture content.
  • Subterranean (underground) termites live in soil and wood that's connected to the soil.

Most termite species live in tropical regions of the world, but others live in temperate (mild) areas. There are around 45 species of termites in the U.S., most of which are in the southwest. Termites need to live in dark, damp environments where they're not exposed to air. 

Termites live in colonies of several millions. Their colonies are complex, with one colony having several million individual termites and many central "headquarters." The headquarters are located near food sources and are connected through a large network of underground tunnels.

You're most likely to see termites:

  • In the soil
  • Near a tree or stump
  • In a wood pile
  • In homes or other buildings made from wood

Termites attack your home from the soil beneath the structure. They're attracted to moisture. "Homes with poor drainage, standing water, or sloped lawns that direct moisture toward the foundation are more likely to attract them," says Brad Guerrera, owner of Expert Pest Control in Spring, Texas.

These insects also need an access route. "Wood-to-home contact, such as firewood stacked against the house or wooden fence posts touching the foundation, provides a direct pathway for termites to enter. Even a home in good condition can become a target if a colony is nearby," he says. Termites can also get access to your home through cracks in concrete or through seams where the plumbing and electrical cords are run.

You could be at risk for a termite infestation if:

  • Your home has never been treated for termites or it was treated a long time ago.
  • Soil, firewood, mulch, or leaves are touching a wooden part of your house.
  • There's water around the foundation of your house.
  • The wood on your house is moist from a leaky roof, air conditioner condensation, or a plumbing leak.

Termite damage doesn't occur quickly. Serious termite damage usually takes three to eight years. Because termites eat wood from the inside out, weak spots can develop before visible damage appears, says Guerrera.

Discovering termite damage can be difficult because termite-infested wood often looks normal from the outside. By the time you notice that you have termites, the damage may have already been done.

These are some signs of termites that can alert you to an infestation:

Mud tubes

Termites don't run around in the open like ants or other insects. They tunnel directly into the wood from the soil or travel inside "mud tubes" that they build from the soil, wood particles, and other materials. "Subterranean termites build these to travel safely between their colony and food source," Guerrera says.

You'll often find mud tubes in the following places:

  • Foundation walls
  • Fences
  • Sheds
  • Cracks between boards
  • Crawl spaces
  • Sheetrock

If you find mud tubes in the ceilings or upper levels of your home, it could mean that you have an aerial, or above-ground infestation. This is usually caused by water leaks and is typically not included in termite contract warranties. To get rid of an above-ground infestation, you'll need to find and fix the water leak.

Termite droppings

These are also called frass. They're another sign of an infestation. They're small wood-colored pellets. Often, you'll see them near windows or baseboards.

Wood damage

Termites feed on anything that contains cellulose, including: 

  • Wood
  • Wood paneling
  • Cardboard
  • Paper products
  • Paper covering of Sheetrock or carpeting

Signs of termite damage include:

  • Wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it or feels hollow when you push against it 
  • Swollen or sagging floors 
  • Buckling wood
  • Warped door frames
  • Stuck windows and doors

Termite swarmers

Swarmers are winged termites. Another name for them is alates, which means "winged ones." At certain times of the year, they fly away from their own colony and start a new colony somewhere else.

If you see these winged insects in your house, they've probably chosen to start their colony in or under your home. Winged ants can be mistaken for termites, so you may have to look closely to tell the difference.

Termite wings around the house

Flying termites have four wings, all of which are the same size. When termites die, they may leave behind just their wings. Finding a lot of termite wings around your house is another clear sign of an infestation.

If you have these pests at home, you might have wondered if they bite or spread diseases. They don't, but they can affect your health in other ways.

"Breathing in termite dust from damaged wood or disturbed colonies may trigger allergies or respiratory irritation," Guerrera says. And when termites eat their way through wood walls and floors, they let in moisture that could allow mold to grow.

The best way to rid your home of termites is to call in a termite control company. Commercial pest control management companies get rid of termites with soil treatments or termite baiting stations.

Nonchemical treatments. You don't necessarily have to use chemicals to keep termites out of your home. Creating a barrier around your home can also help with termite control.

One way to create a barrier is to wrap stainless steel mesh around the foundation, pipes, and posts. Or you can place a layer of sand or finely ground stone particles around the foundation. These particles are too big for termites to move and too closely packed for them to crawl through.

Soil treatments. Soil termite treatments involve applying termiticides — chemicals that kill termites — to the soil around the home's perimeter. These chemicals will kill any termites you already have and prevent new ones from entering your home. Most soil treatments remain active for five to eight years under normal conditions. 

Bait stations. These get rid of active termite colonies by feeding them a toxic food source. At first, the bait stations contain wood or other food material. The food is gradually replaced with bait that contains a slow-acting toxic chemical. The termites feed on the bait and take it back to their colony.

Wood treatment. When a new home is built, the wood can be treated with the insecticide borate. Termites won't feed or build mud tubes on borate-treated wood. But there's still a chance that termites could get into the home through an opening and feed on nearby untreated wood.

House tenting for termites. This is a more extreme treatment that removes termites throughout your home. It's done by a licensed pest control professional called a structural pest control operator (SPCO).

After placing a tent around your entire home, the SPCO pumps in a toxic gas called sulfuryl fluoride to get rid of the insects. Because this chemical is harmful to humans and animals, everyone will have to leave the house during treatment. After the fumigation is done, the SPCO will measure sulfuryl fluoride levels and make sure that they're low enough for everyone to safely return home.

Home remedies for termites

If you're looking for a more natural termite treatment, you might try one of these home remedies:

Borate. This natural chemical compound is made from oxygen and the element boron. Treating soil or wood with borate may help kill termites. 

Essential oils. These are made from plants. They've shown promise for killing termites or keeping them away:

  • Clove bud oil 
  • Vetiver oil
  • Dill weed oil
  • Lemongrass oil
  • Geranium oil
  • Tea tree oil
  • Rosemary oil
  • Eucalyptus oil

Neem oil. This natural pesticide comes from the seeds of the neem tree. People have used it for hundreds of years to control insects such as termites. Neem oil acts as a repellant and stops termites from feeding. It also affects hormones that help these insects grow and lay eggs. You can spray it on wood to keep termites away.

Vinegar. Acidic liquids like vinegar also work well as termite repellents. "Spraying a vinegar and lime solution will not only help make your wooden structures look shiny and clean but it can prevent termites," says Jim McHale, an entomologist and CEO and president at JP McHale Pest Management in Buchanan, NY. 

While these home remedies might kill a few termites, they won't get rid of an entire colony. "Termites operate in massive, hidden networks, so killing surface-level termites does little to stop the infestation. Professional treatments are the only reliable way to eliminate a colony at its source," says Guerrera.

A pest control service is your best bet to get rid of termites and ensure that they don't come back.

Here are some tips to keep termites out of your home:

  • Make sure you have good drainage around your home.
  • Seal up any cracks in the foundation where termites might get inside.
  • Fix any leaks and drainage issues to prevent moisture buildup around the home.
  • Trim trees and shrubs so they don't touch any wooden parts of your home.
  • Don't keep firewood or place a wooden fence within 20 feet of your house.
  • Keep the foundation and crawl space dry.
  • Ensure that your attic and basement are well-ventilated.
  • Use treated wood for all building projects.
  • Install a termite barrier around the foundation.
  • Schedule yearly termite inspections to catch them before they can cause damage.

If you have a termite problem, there are several things you should consider when choosing a pest control management company. Find out how long they've been in business. Ask for their licensing and certifications to ensure they meet your state's rules. You can also verify them with your state's licensing agency.

Make sure the company has experience treating termite infestations. And ask for a warranty that ensures you'll be protected long-term if termites come back. Take your time choosing a pest control company. Termites cause damage slowly, so taking a few days or even a few weeks to develop a plan won't make the situation worse. Ask for references and get at least two or three quotes before you make a decision. Don't automatically go with the company that offers the lowest quote.

Ask for a written inspection report that shows current termite activity and a written treatment plan that includes the chemical labels, price, and warranty. Don't trust a company that promises a "secret formula" for getting rid of termites.

Termites are insects that live in colonies and feed on the wood in homes. Though they don't bite, termites can cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to them. A pest control company can treat your home to get rid of an infestation and keep more termites from entering. To keep termites away, seal up any cracks in the foundation and make sure there's no moisture buildup or wood piles around your home.

Do termites bite?

Termites don't usually bite, but breathing in their dust can sometimes trigger an allergic reaction.

Why am I seeing termites all of a sudden?

Termites are attracted to moisture, so if you have poor drainage or standing water nearby, termites may invade your home.

How to find out if you have termites

Mud tubes, termite droppings, and wings are signs of termites. A pest control company can confirm if you have a termite problem.

Does home insurance cover termites?

No, homeowners' insurance policies typically don't cover the cost of termite damage.

What kills termites instantly?

Termiticides are chemicals that kill termites. A pest control company can treat the soil around your home with these chemicals.