Termites are every homeowner’s worst nightmare. Not only are they a nuisance, but they can cost you thousands of dollars in home repair before you even know they’re there. If you find signs of termites in your yard, you may be breathing a sigh of relief — at least they’re not in your home, right? However, it’s still necessary to address an outdoor infestation promptly before they migrate indoors.

Today we’ll look at some ways to spot termites in your yard, and we’ll also give you some steps to take if you notice signs of termites on your property.

Termites nesting in the wood.

5 Signs That Termites Are In Your Yard

Termites are tiny insects that can be hard to spot. Many times, you won’t actually see the pests, even if you have a termite infestation. Instead, you’ll notice other signs of their presence. 

Here are some of the common signs of termites in your yard:

Mud tubes

Mud tubes are one of the most well-known signs of termite activity in a yard. Mud tubes are narrow, pencil-sized tubes that are built by termites as they travel between their nests and their food source, typically wood of some sort.

Hollow or damaged wood

If you notice physically damaged wood on fences or trees around your home, there’s a good chance that termites are to blame. Termites may also gravitate toward tree stumps or other forms of dead wood. Try tapping on the wood around your property—if it’s hollow, there are likely termites around.

Visible termite swarms

During the warmer months, termite colonies will send out termite swarmers in search of a new home. These swarming termites can be intimidating, and may appear to be a buzzing cloud of insects.

Discarded wings

Termites shed their wings after mating, so discovering discarded wings is an indisputable sign that termites are roaming around your property.

Frass piles

Termite droppings, also known as frass, are another sign that you have termites somewhere around your property. Piles of termite frass are oval-shaped droppings with rounded ends. They typically are light brown or black, depending on the termite’s diet.

If you’ve noticed any of these outdoor warning signs, chances are there’s a termite colony nearby. If you don’t quickly address an outdoor termite problem, it can unfortunately migrate toward your home.

Other Wood-Destroying Pests Found Outside

Termites aren’t the only wood-destroying insects you may encounter in or around your home. Other wood-destroying pests you may see include:

Carpenter Bees

Carpenter bees are insects with smooth, shiny black bodies that are often mistaken for bumblebees. These solitary creatures build nests by chewing holes in the wood around your home to create “galleries,” which they use as nesting sites for their eggs. To prevent carpenter bee damage, you can seal and caulk cracks or gaps around your home, as well as seal and varnish doors, eaves, or railings to make it harder for them to enter your space.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are small red, black, or brown insects with segmented bodies. These ants don’t eat wood in the same way termites do. Instead, they chew it and discard it as waste. They typically target dead or rotting wood, and they can wreak havoc on your home’s structure. Taking proactive actions for prevention of an infestation is essential with these insects. Make sure to keep an eye on the wood in or around your home to ensure it stays in good condition (aka not rotting or dead). 

Woodpeckers

Woodpeckers are often heard before they’re spotted. These birds make their presence known by drilling their beaks into the wood on or around your home in search of food or a mate. Their drilling habits can cause extensive damage to your home’s wood, especially if there are multiple hanging around. Unlike many other pests, woodpeckers are a federally protected species, meaning they can’t be dealt with in the same way as other pest birds. If woodpeckers are causing damage to your home, your best bet is to contact a professional pest control company to survey the damage and help keep your home’s structure in tip-top shape.

Background termite nests are traces of wood that is eaten by termites, endangering the wood by termites.

What To Do If You Find Termites Or Other Wood-Destroying Insects Outside

If you discover termites or other signs of wood-destroying pests in your yard, you’ll want to take immediate action to reduce the risk of an infestation continuing to spread. Here are some of the first steps you should take if you spot signs of active termites:

  • Move raised garden beds: Often, homeowners put raised garden beds up against their home. However, termites thrive in moist areas like loose soil and fresh mulch, so it can be helpful to move any garden beds or vegetable gardens at least a few feet away from the house.
  • Trim vegetation around your home: Trimming any shrubs, bushes, or trees directly next to your home will help eliminate pathways that termites use to move around. You should attempt to keep most major vegetation at least a few feet away from any exterior walls of your home.
  • Check irrigation systems for water leaks: Subterranean termites thrive in moist environments, so checking your irrigation systems for any water leaks will ensure that termites don’t have a water source beneath your yard’s soil or mulch.
  • Check your mulch source: Termites thrive in many types of mulch, so any mulch that your yard uses should be labeled termite-resistant. Cedar mulch and cypress mulch are both great options, as they not only deter termites, but also other destructive insects.
  • Seal entry points to your home: While termites in your yard may not immediately seem like a big concern, they’ll start to work their way into your home if you don’t take action. Sealing any cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation with caulk or weatherstripping will help protect your home from an infestation.
  • Contact the professionals: Remember, if you find live termites in your yard, do not attempt any DIY remedies. Contact a professional pest control company who can address the problem at the source instead of spending time and energy on a termite treatment that likely won’t work. Professionals will also be able to set up a regular maintenance schedule for your property.

Dodson Pest Control can help you regain control.

If you’ve spotted signs of termites in your yard or you have other reasons to suspect that you might have a termite invasion in your home, Dodson Pest Control can help you reduce the chances of a more widespread infestation. In most cases, an active infestation in the Southeastern United States consists of subterranean termites – and we have the treatments to handle them. Our team has over 70 years of experience in commercial and residential pest control and we will build a custom termite control plan with pesticides for your home’s specific needs. 

We offer many different treatment options for termite infestations including liquid termiticides, foam and dusts, and termite repellents. We can also place in-ground bait stations around your property to intercept any termites before they reach the structure of your home. No two scenarios are the same, but our team of professionals will build a custom treatment plan to tackle your pest problems based on your unique situation. Reach out to us and we’ll come by to give your property a free termite inspection.

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