Field Guide
Termite
or ant?
In California, swarming termites look a lot like winged ants. Three questions will tell you which one is in your home.
The identifier
1.Look at the wings.
2.Look at the waist.
3.Look at the antennae.
Answer all three to see the verdict.
Six warning signs
01
Frass
Tiny pellet-shaped droppings near wood — a classic drywood sign.
02
Discarded wings
Small piles of identical wings on sills after a swarm.
03
Mud tubes
Pencil-width tunnels on foundations — subterranean termites.
04
Hollow wood
Trim or beams that sound papery when tapped.
05
Blistered paint
Bubbling or sagging surfaces that hide galleries beneath.
06
Sticking doors
Warped frames from tunnelling and moisture.