5 common Signs of Termite Infestation in a Commercial Facility

Imagine arriving at your commercial property one morning only to notice pests flying around as they slip into the building. You start spotting signs of an infestation and realize you need effective strategies to tackle the problem.

In California where businesses thrive in bustling metropolitan areas, even a minor issue can disrupt operations and lead to costly consequences. Termites are one of the most common and damaging pests in California. Termites not only damage the building’s structure but may also pose health risks. So, getting regular termite inspections are necessary to make sure that your building remains in good condition.

Overlooking signs of termite infestation can lead to costly issues. Therefore, getting regular termite inspections is helpful in maintaining a healthy commercial property.

In this blog, we will discuss the importance of detecting and preventing termite infestation and what are the key signs of an infestation that the inspector highlights in the inspection.

Why Understanding Termite Behavior Matters

Termites are silent invaders that infiltrate buildings, compromising structural integrity long before they’re detected. Termites often target wooden structures, damaging buildings extensively before any signs are visible. That’s why understanding termite behavior is crucial for taking proactive actions at an early stage.

Understanding Termite Activity in Action

Termites live in colonies comprised of workers, soldiers, and reproductive members, including swarmers and queens. The workers chew through wooden materials, construct intricate tunnels, and gather food to support the colony. They digest this cellulose with the help of specific bacteria in their intestines. 

The defining characteristic of termites is their quiet work habits and tendency to hide in different places, including wall cracks and underground tunnels. They enter commercial properties through these openings, often remaining undetected. Unlike many other visible pests, termites cause internal damage without showing early signs of infestation.

Signs of Termite Activity

Often, by the time termite activity is noticed, significant damage has already occurred. They quietly damage the infrastructure and wooden structures within the property. Common signs of termite presence include mud tubes and discarded wings from swarmers.

To prevent future problems, you need to understand how termites function. This understanding will help you adopt suitable actions to get rid of the termites, protecting yourself and your home’s components.

Let’s now explore the common signs of termite infestation.

Sign – 1 Hollow Wood

Termites hide within wooden structures, feeding on cellulose, which is the primary component of wood. With the help of particular bacteria in their digestive system, they can break down this tough material. As they chew through the wood, termites form tunnels, often leaving the exterior intact. This hidden damage makes termite infestations challenging to detect, letting them go unnoticed for extended periods.. 

Detection Tip

Regularly inspect wooden items to spot termite activity early and prevent costly damage. Tap wooden surfaces with a hard object like a screwdriver. If it sounds hollow, termites may be present. You can also check the tunnels from the holes with a flashlight.

Also, keep an eye on the condition of wooden items; termite-infested wood often becomes spongy or soft.

Sign – 2 Mud Tubes

Mud tubes are another common sign of termite infestation and are often easy to spot. Subterranean termites build these pencil-sized tunnels, which act as pathways connecting their colony to food sources. Termites construct mud tubes using soil, saliva, and wood particles, creating a moist environment essential for their survival. The presence of mud tubes is a clear sign of termites.

A professional inspector can easily spot mud tubes in common areas, such as ceilings, floors, and wooden surfaces.

Detection Tips

Inspect wooden structures to ensure they don’t touch the ground, as this allows termites to have easy access.

Also, check for any cracks in the foundation, as even small gaps can give termites access to your building’s structure.

Sign – 3 Discarded Wings

Finding discarded wings near windows or doors suggests that swarmers are attempting to establish a new colony in your building. Termites, particularly swarmers, are most active in spring and early summer when they migrate to form new colonies. If you notice the discarded wings at your place, it is a red flag that the termites are active and that you should adopt suitable actions to prevent damage.

Detection Tips

The swarmers are most active in the summer or after the rainy season. Their signs can be seen at these places:

Around the Light

The swarmers are attracted to light, so their wings can be seen around the windowsills or light fixtures.

Doors and Windows

When swarmers are trying to enter your property, their wings can be found near the doors and windows.

Basement and Crawlspace

These places are the ideal environments for termites; you can identify their signs here.

Sign – 4 Frass

Frass, or termite droppings, are tiny pellets that termites leave behind, showing their presence. Termites expel their waste, or frass, to keep their tunnels clean, creating small piles outside their colonies. Frass looks like tiny wood pellets, often mistaken for sawdust, and can be found near entry holes or areas with active termite colonies.  

Detection Tips

Frass is often seen in these spaces:

Windows and Doors

Termites expel frass through a tiny hole in the infested wood.

Inside the Drawers

The frass signs can be seen inside the cabinet or drawers.

Attics

Attics with the wooden beams are places where you can find the frass.

Sign – 5 Cracks in the Foundation

Cracks and paint bubbles are clear signs of termite activity. Termites create tunnels within wooden structures, and as temperatures fluctuate, the combined effects of moisture and wood damage can cause cracks or paint bubbles.

Detection Tips

Water leakage is a common cause of cracks in walls, which can weaken structures and create entry points for termites. Regularly checking the drainage system can help prevent water damage to the foundation, which reduces the risk of termite infestation. Since termites thrive in moist, soil-rich environments, any foundation in contact with soil becomes an ideal entry point and habitat.

Now that you know the common signs of termite infestation, let’s explore how proactive measures can help prevent termite damage.

What to Do if You Notice These Signs?

If you notice any signs of termite infestation in your commercial facility, take immediate action to prevent costly future damage. Isolate the infested area by limiting access to help prevent the termites from spreading to other parts of the building.

Additionally, schedule a professional termite inspection and treatment. Professional pest control services thoroughly inspect for signs of termites and apply effective treatment strategies to eliminate the infestation. 

Final Words

Termites are often called silent destroyers because they compromise the integrity of your building’s wooden structures without obvious signs. As they tunnel through the wood to connect their colony to food sources, they weaken the structure from within. Though termites can be difficult to detect, a professional home inspector can spot subtle signs early. That’s why we highly recommend scheduling regular inspections with one of the best inspection companies, like Elite Commercial Inspections. Their thorough inspections can identify termite infestation (termite activity) and help protect your property from further damage.