Inspect around the house and property for signs of infestation. Note that some of the items on the list below do not necessarily indicate a termite infestation. It is only prudent for buyers to further investigate or inquire about these potential signs.

A sagging door or floor Leaks in the roof A warped wall A hollow sounding beam Discolored or blistered paint Depressions in wood Moisture collecting in unusual places Springy floors or steps Mud tunnels or flight slits Carton material found in wall voids Interruptions in power or communications Wood rot (may attract termites)

Mud tunnels coming through a crack in the concrete at a cold joint.

Flight slits (a severe case)		Mud tunnels on a pier

Commonly overlooked during inspections are the carpet anchor strips. These are typically 1" x 1/2" strips of wood that run the length of the carpet along the walls and along carpet seams. These strips contain tiny nails which anchor the carpet, and are commonly made of untreated wood. These can be inspected by poking a screwdriver or ice pick in the carpet against a wall and lifting it up, exposing the strip.

Two important aspects to remember when viewing a used home are grounds keeping and construction details. Here are a few examples: Grounds keeping All too often, homeowners overlook basic grounds keeping rules of thumb. Plants at the base of the house: 1) can attract and support termites 2) can make it difficult to inspect the slab Debris covering a pier can allow termites to circumvent the barrier and enter the post. Construction details Occasionally, certain designs or home improvements lend themselves to direct or indirect termite attack. A poorly-planned deck repair with wood in direct contact with the ground. A retaining wall abutting an exterior wall of a split-level home.

Evidence of drywood termite infestation takes a somewhat different form from that of ground termites. While outward evidence of ground termites may involve mud tunnels and carton material, drywood termites sometimes leave tell-tale piles of droppings called frass.

Frass looks like little piles of sand. The color can range from a light sandy appearance to dark red or brown, or a combination of these colors.

Frass in a cabinet

Wherever there is frass, there are kick-out holes. Drywood termites use these holes to expel their droppings (frass) from their galleries. The holes are about 1 mm in diameter and may sometimes be difficult to locate. The holes are usually plugged up and can be the same color or darker in color than the surrounding wood.

Closeup of a kick-out hole