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Household Insects · Pest guide

Termites control

Silent wood damage. How to spot swarmers, mud tubes and frass before the repair bill grows.

Start here: Signs of Termites in Your House (2026 Guide) When to call a pro

Termites at a glance

Scientific name
Infraorder Isoptera
Size
1/4 to 1/2 inch (6–13 mm); swarmers longer with wings
Appearance
Soft, pale workers; swarmers dark with two pairs of equal wings
Where found
Foundations, crawl spaces, wooden structures in contact with soil
  • Health riskLow
  • Property damageHigh
  • Do it yourself?Call a pro
When termites are active Peak: Apr–Jun
  1. Jan Low
  2. Feb Low
  3. Mar Active
  4. Apr Peak
  5. May Peak
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Active
  8. Aug Active
  9. Sep Active (this month)
  10. Oct Low
  11. Nov Low
  12. Dec Low

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Mud tubes on foundation walls
  • Discarded wings near windows and doors
  • Hollow-sounding or blistered wood
  • Tiny pellet-shaped droppings (drywood termites)

Call a professional when

  • Any sign of active termites in the structure
  • Buying or selling a home (inspection report)
  • Mud tubes or damaged wood you cannot explain
How to choose a pest control company

Quick prevention

  • Keep mulch and soil away from siding
  • Fix leaks and direct downspouts away from the foundation
  • Store firewood away from the house

Termites: identification & signs

2 guides

What it is, how to tell look-alikes apart and the signs an infestation leaves.

Termite and shed wings on an interior windowsill

Termites · Identify

Signs of Termites in Your House (2026 Guide)

· 5 min read

Termite soldier close-up

Termites · Identify

Termites or Flying Ants? How to Tell in 60 Seconds

· 1 min read

Termites: costs & hiring a pro

1 guide

What treatment costs, DIY vs pro math, and how to choose an exterminator.

Mud shelter tubes running down a concrete foundation pier

Termites · Costs

How Much Does Termite Treatment Cost in 2026?

· 7 min read

Keep termites out

  1. Keep mulch and soil away from siding
  2. Fix leaks and direct downspouts away from the foundation
  3. Store firewood away from the house
  4. Schedule a yearly inspection in high-risk areas

Often confused or found together

All household insects
Ants Trails in the kitchen, mounds in the lawn and carpenter ants in damp wood. Bees Carpenter bees drilling fascia boards and honey bee swarms: protect the bees and the house. Carpet Beetles Tiny beetles whose larvae chew wool, fur and stored fabrics.
Photo credits

Thank you to Discott, RCraig09, Jim Conrad, Nahushraj and Luis Fernández García for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Public domain