What kind of termites eat drywall

Related: Tips for killing termites in your property. Mike is a pest control operator from New York with over 15 years experience dealing with a wide range of pests. He shares his knowledge on this blog and provides useful information to help you combat pests on your own. For severe infestations and professional advice you can also request a free pest control quote here. By Mike Henderson. Share on facebook. Share on pinterest. Share on twitter.

Table of Contents 1 What are termite exit holes? Mike Henderson. Recent Posts. Read More ». This article has been reviewed by our editorial team and has been approved for publication in accordance with our editorial policy.

This site also earns from qualifying purchases. Please see our disclaimer page for more information. Termite Mud Tubes — what are they and should you knock them down? Do termites make noise and what do they sound like? Can termites make you sick? Homeowners should be most worried about subterranean termites, because these destructive pests cause the majority of all termite damage in the United States.

Subterranean termites have powerful jaws that can chew through wood quickly and easily. Also, these large colonies can contain up to a million members at a time. Unfortunately, subterranean termites burrow underground, making them nearly undetectable until they have caused extensive damage to your property. That said, there are some things you can keep an eye out for that may indicate you have a termite infestation. How do you know that subterranean termites have invaded your home? You may have subterranean termites if you spot mud tubes, damaged wood, winged termites and peeling paint.

Subterranean termites prefer dark, moist spaces. If these insects spend too long in the sun, they dry up and die. To keep out of the open air, these termites chew tunnels through wood and other materials, creating mud tubes along the way.

These passageways are usually made out of wood, soil, saliva and excrement. You can often find these tubes along the sides of buildings or in wood that you have stored in or near your house. If you see mud tubes on your property, there is a good chance that a subterranean termite colony is nearby. If the tube is repaired within a few days, this termite highway is still in use. Because of the damage termites can do, if you even suspect you may have them on your property, your best next move is to schedule a termite inspection with an experienced pest control company.

Termites are not picky about the wood that they chew through and damage. You might spot termite activity around your:. Impacted wood may contain holes or evidence of termite carton material. This substance is made up of a mixture of wood, soil, saliva and excrement. Surprisingly, that includes drywall.

Drywall is composed of plaster panels covered in paper, which contains cellulose. Worker termites, which forage for food to return to the colony, are the most likely to cause damage to drywall and wood.

If termites are present, you may notice signs of their activity in your walls and ceilings. There are a few tell-tale indications of termite damage, and often the evidence of termites will depend on the species present in your home. Drywood termites — These termites create kick holes, which look like tiny pinpoints on walls.

They use these holes to dispose of their fecal matter, also known as frass. This excrement is hexagonal shaped and looks like small wood pellets about the size of coffee grounds. Piles of frass near baseboards may indicate termite activity.

Subterranean termites — Signs of subterranean termite damage can include mud tubes, which serve as highways between their underground colonies and their food sources. The most common sign of termites in sheetrock would be exploratory mud tubes that sometimes come out of the sheetrock several inches, especially from sheetrock in ceilings.

Termite infestations can go undetected for long periods of time, creating even more damage. Quality matters when hiring for a big project. Call a Best Pick now! Find an Expert. Related posts. Find a company. Select a category below to view companies. About us. About Us. Metro Areas We Serve. Washington Metro. District of columbia. Northern virginia. Apply to be a Best Pick.