Think You’ve Seen a Termite? Learn How to Be Sure

Serving Broward County and Palm Beach County

Worried about termites but not sure what signs to look for? You’re not alone. Termites often get mistaken for winged ants, which leads many homeowners to look past early warning signs. Unfortunately, this confusion can come at a high cost. These pests are responsible for over $5 billion in property damage across the U.S. each year. Identifying them early is the best way to avoid major repairs.

At Petri Pest Control, we’ve seen how quickly termites can damage a home. That’s why we specialize in fast, accurate termite identification and treatment. Our trained team knows what to look for and how to handle even tucked away termite problems. In this guide, we’ll walk you through common warning signs and the steps to tell termites apart from other insects.

How to Recognize a Termite

Because termites are tiny and quiet, they often go unnoticed. Most are pale, soft-bodied insects about ¼ inch in length, with six legs, straight antennae, and colors that range from creamy white to light brown.

In Florida, the two most common types of home-invading termites are drywood and subterranean termites.

Subterranean Termites

• Body: Long and narrow ribbed body without noticeable body segments
• Head: Large, oval-shaped head
• Color: Light and creamy to dark brown coloring
• Size: ⅛ inch
• Mandibles: large, dark jaws
• Antenna: 2 small straight antennae
• Wings: 4 long oval wings. Only those who leave the nest to reproduce have wings.

Subterranean termites build their colonies beneath the soil and create mud tubes for moisture and mobility. Unlike drywood termites, they don’t nest in the wood, but do consume the softer sections. They’re active during the day and are known for being the most destructive species.

Drywood Termites

• Body: Long and narrow ribbed body without noticeable body segments
• Head: Small, rounded head
• Color: Light, creamy to black coloring.
• Size: ⅜ to 1 inch
• Mandibles: Small, lightly colored jaws.
• Antennae: 2 small straight antennae
• Wings: 4 long oval wings. Only those who leave the nest to reproduce have wings.

Drywood termites nest inside dry, solid wood and tend to burrow into structural components. They commonly infest roofs, beams, or even furniture, and swarm at night. Because they nest within the wood itself, they’re harder to detect and treat.

8 Signs You Might Have Termites

Catching termites early can prevent thousands in damage. Be on the lookout for these common signs of infestation:

1. Sticky doors and windows: Wood near frames can warp as termites eat through it.
2. Bubbling or uneven paint: May indicate hidden termite damage inside walls.
3. Winged termites or piles of wings: Swarmers often drop wings after establishing new colonies.
4. Wood-colored droppings: Drywood termites leave behind frass that looks like fine wood shavings.
5. Mud tubes along walls or foundation: Subterranean termites use these to stay moist and hidden.
6. Hollow-sounding wood: Termite tunnels can leave structural wood sounding empty when tapped.
7. Sagging ceilings or flooring: Indicates potential structural damage from feeding termites.
8. Curved or maze-like patterns in wood: Evidence of termite tunneling in furniture or support beams.

If you notice any of these signs on your property, consider looking into professional termite control, before the damage becomes irreversible.

How to Tell if Termites Have Wings

Some termites develop wings and fly during swarming seasons, which can cause them to be confused for flying ants. Here’s how to tell the difference:

• Termites have straight antennae, while ants have bent antennae.
• Termite wings are equal in size, ant wings differ in size.
• Termite waists are thick, and ant waists are thin.

How to Tell if Termites are Swarming

Swarming typically happens in the spring or fall. A swarm may appear as a cloud of small insects near light sources or wooden structures. Afterward, piles of tiny wings are often left behind.

The Life Cycle of a Termite: What They Look Like in Each Stage

Termites go through several stages as they develop. Here’s how to identify each:

Egg Stage

Termite eggs are incredibly small and almost impossible to see without magnification. They look like:

• Small, white or cream-colored ovals
• About the size of a period at the end of a sentence

Nymph Stage

Once the eggs hatch, the young termites move into the nymph stage. These tiny insects are commonly mistaken for other household bugs. Nymphs look like:

• Small, white versions of adult termites
• Soft-bodied insects without wings
• Very similar across different termite types

Adult Worker & Soldier Stage

As nymphs continue to mature, they become adult workers or soldiers, the forms most people are familiar with. These termites look like:

• Cream-colored to light brown insects
• About ¼ inch long
• Workers have softer heads, while soldiers have larger, darker heads

Reproductive (Alate) Stage

A portion of the colony will grow into reproductive termites, also known as alates. These winged members are responsible for starting new colonies and are often confused with flying ants.They look like:

• Darker colored (usually black or dark brown)
• Have two pairs of wings
• Slightly larger than workers or soldiers

If you see unfamiliar bugs around your home and aren’t sure what they are, it’s best to call a professional before it turns into a full-blown infestation.

Let Petri Pest Control Take the Stress Out of Termites

Termites don’t wait, and neither should you. At Petri Pest Control, we know how stressful a termite issue can be. That’s why we act fast to inspect your home, find the infestation, and treat it thoroughly.

Because termites chew through important wooden structures, early intervention is more important than ever. Our experts know the spots termites love to hide and how to eliminate them effectively.

Reach out to us by phone or use our online form for a free quote. Let’s stop termites in their tracks, before they even think about causing some serious damage.