Pest Library
Termites
Subterranean termites work quietly, from the soil up.
Overview
The species of concern in New York is the eastern subterranean termite. Colonies live in soil and reach wood through mud tubes they build across foundations, piers and slab edges. Unlike carpenter ants, termites actually consume wood, following the softer grain and leaving a layered, soil-flecked interior.
Most homeowners discover termites in one of two ways: a swarm of dark winged insects near a window or foundation on a warm spring day, or a contractor finding damaged framing during a renovation.
What to look for
Identify the pest
Compare what you found with these termites reference materials.
Worker termite
Workers are pale and soft-bodied, and are usually found inside wood or soil rather than in the open.
Termite swarmer
Swarmers have a straight waist and two pairs of equal-length wings — winged ants have a pinched waist and unequal wings.
Soldier termite
Soldiers have enlarged dark heads and defend the colony inside galleries.
Termite swarmer vs. winged ant
Termite swarmers have a straight waist and two pairs of equal-length wings; winged ants have a pinched waist and unequal wings.
Signs of activity
Most homeowners find the evidence before they find the pest. These are the things people usually notice first.
Damaged wood
Subterranean termites hollow out wood from the inside, leaving a maze of galleries beneath a thin outer surface.
Mud tubes
Subterranean termites build pencil-width mud tubes up foundation walls to travel between the soil and the wood they are feeding on.
Discarded wings
After a swarm, termites shed their equal-sized wings, leaving them on windowsills, door frames and other light sources.
Photos can help narrow down a pest problem, but many pests and signs of activity look similar. A photograph should not be treated as a definitive identification or diagnosis. Photo sources and credits.
Does this look familiar?
Pest signs aren't always easy to identify from pictures. Send us a photo of what you're seeing and tell us where you found it — we'll take termites into account.
Why they're common in the Hudson Valley
- Termite pressure in the region is lower than in the Mid-Atlantic and South, but eastern subterranean termites are established in parts of the Hudson Valley and activity is documented in New York.
- Homes with soil grade close to siding, buried wood forms, crawlspaces with earth floors, or slab additions offer the soil-to-wood contact termites need.
- Chronically damp foundations — common on shaded, wooded lots and near stone retaining walls — make conditions more favorable.
Signs of activity
- Pencil-width mud tubes on foundation walls, piers or joists
- Swarmers with two pairs of equal-length wings, or discarded wings near windows
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped and shows soil or mud inside when probed
- Bubbling, rippled or sagging paint on baseboards and trim
- Sticking doors or soft flooring near exterior walls
Where you'll find them
- Basement sill plates, rim joists and support posts
- Crawlspace framing and subfloor
- Slab edges, garage door frames and expansion joints
- Porch supports, deck posts and buried form boards
Why it matters
- Termite damage accumulates out of sight and can affect structural framing before there are visible signs indoors.
- Standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover termite damage.
- Correctly separating termites from carpenter ants and other wood-destroying insects changes the entire treatment approach, which is why identification matters.
Prevention
- Maintain several inches of clearance between soil or mulch and siding
- Direct downspouts and grade water away from the foundation
- Remove buried wood, form boards and stored lumber from crawlspaces
- Keep crawlspaces dry and ventilated, with a vapor barrier where appropriate
- Have wood-to-soil contact points corrected during renovations
When to get an inspection
- You see a swarm or discarded wings anywhere on the property
- You find mud tubes on any foundation surface
- You are buying or selling a home and need a wood-destroying insect evaluation
- You found damaged framing during a basement or bathroom project
Worried about termites?
If the activity keeps coming back, an on-site inspection is the reliable next step.
Related pests
Keep reading
When Is Termite Swarm Season in the Hudson Valley?
Swarms are usually the first visible sign of a subterranean termite colony. Here's when they happen in our region, how to tell them apart from flying ants, and what to do next.
Carpenter Ants vs. Termites: How to Tell the Difference
Both damage wood, but they leave very different evidence — and the response to each is different too.
What Are the Signs of Termite Damage?
Most termite damage is discovered indirectly — through paint, floors, doors and trim rather than through the insects themselves.