Tag Archives: termite damage

How to Identify Termite Damage and Prevent It

termite damage in the wall of a home

New Jersey homeowners face various types of pests that threaten to destroy their homes and yards. One of the most destructive is the termite, which is notorious for creating structural damage in local houses.

Precise Termite & Pest Control offers professional termite eradication and helps homeowners identify the types of termites they have to prevent future infestations.

What Do Termites Look Like?

Dozens of termite species exist in our world today, but they all have a somewhat similar appearance. Termites are typically between a quarter-inch and a half-inch long. They are white or light brown in color and have soft bodies, straight waists, and straight antennae.

Homeowners sometimes misidentify carpenter, flying, and fire ants as termites because of their appearance. To the untrained eye, termite damage can resemble the damage caused by powderpost beetles and carpenter bees.

Types of Termites to Know

Termite species can be broken down into several categories. For example, subterranean termites live in soil, build large nests, and cause most of the termite damage to New Jersey homes.

Next up are drywood termites, which prefer living in moist wood conditions outdoors and are, therefore, often less of a problem for New Jersey homeowners. They don’t need soil to survive; however, they love to feast on hardwood floors slowly and devastatingly in homes.

Meanwhile, Formosan termites are very destructive but less common in New Jersey than in other parts of the country.

Damage Caused by Termites

Regardless of the species, termites cause extensive damage to the structural integrity of buildings. Termites commonly take up residence in wall studs, support beams, ceiling joints, and household furniture. It is also possible for termites to inhabit non-wood materials of your home, such as metal siding and insulation.

Subterranean termite damage often resembles water damage because this species prefers soft wood and eats wood along the grain. Drywood termite damage results from tunnels the insects build inside walls and furniture, as these termites eat large sections of wood and chew against the wood grain.

Identifying Termite Damage Early

Termites frequently cause damage to a home’s floors, ceilings, siding, plaster, metal, and furniture. There are several tell-tale signs of termite damage, which is helpful since termites cause at least $5 billion in damage to American homes annually.

Here are some common signs of termite damage to look for:

  • Buckling paint and tiny holes in the wood
  • Weak and missing parts of wood structures
  • Mud tubes where your home touches the ground outside (looks like clumpy lines in the soil)
  • Fecal pellets near termite tunnels
  • Termite wings near windows and doors

Professional Help with Termite Identification and Termite Extermination

If you notice any of these signs of damage or the presence of insects around your home that you’re unsure about, it’s time to call in the professionals.

Precise Termite & Pest Control is your local expert in New Jersey termites. We offer prompt, affordable, and reliable extermination services with excellent customer service and no pressure.

Identifying and eradicating termites on your own can be challenging, especially if you aren’t sure what to look for or haven’t dealt with an infestation before.

With termites, prevention is your best defense, and many homeowners don’t notice any pest activity until extensive damage is already done. Therefore, it’s smart to have our exterminators come to your home for a free inspection to assess your potential termite risks and plan ahead for them.

Please call us at 866-971-2847 or complete our online form to learn more about our inspections and termite extermination and prevention services.

Understanding the Different Types of Termites & How They Affect You


Termites of all kinds are a costly nuisance and a major headache for homeowners around the country. These are some of the most common types of termites and how they could affect your life if they decide to take up residence in your home.

Subterranean Termites

One very common type of termite is the subterranean termite. These termites are social insects that live in colonies and the most common type found in American homes. Often the first signs of subterranean termite damage are dark-colored blisters in wood flooring.

This variety of white ants is known to damage the structure of your home, and in severe cases, you may need to move out until repairs are complete. It’s easy to overlook subterranean termite damage because this type of termite typically only eats spring wood and leaves the exterior surface alone.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites are most common along coastal areas and in the south and southwest parts of the country. This is another type of white ant that can go undetected for a long time.

Drywood termites are notorious for damaging the walls in your home, as well as poles and furniture. This type of termite infestation often requires homeowners to remove all furniture from the affected area until the termites have been eliminated. This is a major inconvenience for many homeowners, especially when they are forced to find and pay for temporary storage space for an indefinite amount of time.

Dampwood Termites

The Pacific Coast is typically home to the most dampwood termites, but this insect can live anywhere with damp and decaying wood. These termites love moist environments and typically set up new nests throughout the spring and summer.

Homeowners may notice fecal pellets around the house when they have a dampwood termite infestation. Moisture control is essential to eliminating these termites, which means that homeowners need to promptly address roof leaks, plumbing problems, and rainwater drainage to prevent infestations.

Formosan Termites

Formosan termites love warm climates and although most popular in the American South, small populations have been encountered up to the Canadian border. The three forms of these termites are the winged or wingless reproductive termites, the workers, and the protector soldiers.

They live in the soil and invade wood structures that come in direct or close contact with the dirt. It is very common for homeowners to find these termites while doing home renovations. They target walls and other structural components of homes, which causes the structure to sag and need further repairs.

Termite Removal in New Jersey

Regardless of which type of termite is terrorizing your home, the professional exterminators at Precise Pest Control are your local experts in the pests plaguing New Jersey. We have the knowledge and expertise to handle all types of termite infestations and even help you prevent future damage.

Call us today at 866-971-2847 for a free inspection and avoid unnecessary property damage that will take its toll on your wallet and inconvenience your daily life.