Termite nests are complex structures built by colonies to house and protect their inhabitants. Their appearance varies considerably depending on the specific termite species and the environment in which they are constructed. Understanding these variations is helpful for identifying a potential infestation, as nests can range from visible mounds to hidden galleries within wood.
Common Types and Visual Characteristics
Subterranean termites construct nests primarily underground. They build distinctive mud tubes to travel between their nests and food sources like structural wood. These tubes appear as pencil-width, brown, earthy tunnels running along surfaces such as foundations, walls, or crawl spaces. Made from soil, wood particles, and termite saliva and feces, they protect termites from dry air and predators. Subterranean termites also create carton nests, hidden within walls or foundations, consisting of chewed wood and soil.
Drywood termites build their nests entirely within the wood they infest. Their nests are intricate, curving galleries chewed directly into wooden structures. A key visual indicator of drywood termite presence is their fecal pellets, known as frass. These small, hard, hexagonal pellets resemble fine sand or sawdust, often matching the wood’s color. They are kicked out of small exit holes, accumulating in tiny piles below infested wood.
Dampwood termites nest within wood, targeting wood with high moisture content, such as decaying or rotting timber. Their galleries are larger than those of drywood termites. Unlike subterranean termites, dampwood termites do not construct external mud tubes. Their fecal pellets are larger and less uniform in shape compared to the hexagonal frass of drywood termites.
Arboreal termites construct large, often spherical or irregular nests on trees or utility poles. These nests are dark-colored and made from “carton,” a mixture of digested wood and feces that hardens into a strong material. Nests can be larger than a basketball and may feature covered tunnels built down the side of the tree to foraging areas.
Where Termite Nests Are Found
Subterranean termite nests are primarily found underground, often several inches to over a foot deep. Their foraging tunnels extend to food sources, commonly appearing as mud tubes on foundations, in crawl spaces, basements, or within wall voids. They are attracted to wood in contact with soil, such as decks, fence posts, and firewood piles.
Drywood termites establish nests within dry wooden structures. Common locations include wooden furniture, attics, structural beams, door and window frames, and picture frames.
Dampwood termites are found in wood with significant moisture content. This includes rotting wood, tree stumps, fallen logs, and areas within homes affected by plumbing leaks, roof leaks, or other water damage. They can infest wooden siding, construction beams, and crawl spaces where moisture accumulates.
Arboreal termite nests are built on trees, often on trunks or at the base of branches. They can also construct nests on other elevated structures made of concrete or metal.
Differentiating Termite Nests from Similar Structures
Ant nests and tunnels differ significantly from termite activity. Ants create cleaner tunnels without the mud tubes seen with subterranean termites. While both ants and termites can create frass, ant frass often consists of wood shavings, while drywood termite frass are distinct hexagonal pellets.
Mud dauber nests can be mistaken for termite mud tubes due to their use of mud. However, mud dauber nests are distinct cylindrical or organ-pipe shaped structures, often attached to walls or under eaves, and are not associated with wood damage or continuous mud tubes leading to a wood source.
Dirt accumulation or fungal growth can also be confused with termite activity. Termite mud tubes are sealed, purposeful structures, not loose dirt or random fungal patterns.
What to Do Upon Discovery
If you discover or suspect a termite nest, avoid disturbing it. Disturbing the nest can cause termites to scatter, making professional treatment more challenging. Documenting your findings by taking photos can be helpful for professional assessment.
Contact a qualified pest control professional. Termite species require different treatment approaches, and a professional can accurately identify the type of termite and assess the infestation’s extent. DIY solutions are generally ineffective because termite colonies are often extensive and hidden, requiring specialized knowledge and tools for proper eradication. Professional inspection ensures a thorough evaluation and an effective treatment plan to protect your property.