5 Signs You Need Termite Control in Winston-Salem Before It's Too Late

Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage across the United States each year. Winston-Salem, N.C., homes face the same risk. These pests work quietly, compromising your home's structure long before you spot the damage. Catching termite activity early can save you thousands in repair costs.

Ray's Pest Control has protected Piedmont Triad homes from termite damage for more than 50 years. Early detection makes all the difference. North Carolina's humid climate and mild temperatures let termite colonies thrive throughout the year. Local homeowners need to stay alert.

Here are five warning signs that it's time to call a professional for termite control.

1. Mud Tubes on Your Foundation or Walls

What to Look For

Subterranean termites are the most common type in Winston-Salem. They build pencil-thin mud tubes to travel between underground colonies and the wood in your home. The tubes give them moisture and shield them from predators. Termites construct each tube from soil, wood particles and their own saliva.

Check your foundation, crawl space walls and anywhere concrete meets wood. The tubes usually run vertically and branch off in different directions. They're brown or tan with a muddy, crusty texture. Look closely near your HVAC system, water heater and plumbing penetrations. Termites go where there's moisture.

Spotting these tunnels means you probably have an active infestation. Don't assume a broken or empty tube means the problem is gone. Termites rebuild fast and keep feeding.

2. Hollow-Sounding Wood

Testing Your Home's Structure

Termites eat wood from the inside out. They leave just a thin layer of timber or paint on the surface. Take a screwdriver handle and tap wooden beams, door frames and window sills throughout your home. Hollow or papery sounds mean termites have likely done serious internal damage.

Wood might feel soft when you press on it, or it could crumble. Floors can feel spongy when you walk on them. Baseboards pull away from walls. Warped door frames make doors stick or refuse to close. These problems signal that termites have been feeding for a while.

Minor surface damage hides extensive destruction underneath. Support beams, floor joists and wall studs can be severely compromised before you see obvious symptoms. Get a professional inspection if you suspect a problem.

3. Discarded Wings Near Windows and Doors

Signs of Swarming Activity

Reproductive termites called swarmers leave their colonies in spring to start new ones. Once they find a good spot, they shed their wings in piles that look like fish scales. You'll see swarming on warm days after rain, when conditions are right for starting colonies.

Check windowsills, door frames, bathtubs and spider webs for small, translucent wings. Finding them means termites have picked your home for their new colony. The wings are delicate, roughly equal in size, and measure about 3/8 inch long.

People often confuse swarmers with flying ants. Termite wings are the same length, but ant wings are uneven. Termite bodies are uniform in width, while ants have pinched waists. Not sure what you've found? Collect a sample and call Ray's Pest Control for identification.

4. Frass (Termite Droppings) Accumulation

Identifying Drywood Termite Evidence

Subterranean termites are more common in Winston-Salem, but drywood termites attack local homes too. These termites push droppings out through small holes in infested wood. The piles look like sawdust or coffee grounds. Drywood termites keep their galleries clean by expelling frass, unlike subterranean termites that use waste to build tunnels.

You'll find frass right below the infested wood. The pellets are hexagonal and change color based on what wood the termites eat. Fresh frass shows up as tiny, granular piles that grow larger if the infestation continues.

Mysterious sawdust-like piles near wooden furniture, walls or beams point to active drywood termites. Check your attic, wooden trim and furniture often. These spots are frequent targets.

5. Buckling or Blistering Paint

Surface-Level Warning Signs

Paint that bubbles, blisters or peels from wood surfaces can mean termite damage. It can also signal moisture problems that draw termites in. This happens when termites eat through wood right under the paint. They create air pockets and tunnels that make paint lose its grip.

Small pinholes in drywall or wood paneling are another clue. Termites use these tiny openings to move through your walls. Some homeowners see dust or frass near the holes.

Walls that look water-damaged but haven't gotten wet are worth investigating. Termites bring moisture into wood as they tunnel. This causes changes to painted or finished surfaces. The damage looks like water stains but appears where there are no leaks or roof problems.

Protect Your Winston-Salem Home with Ray's Pest Control

Don't wait while termites destroy your home's value and structure. If you've seen any of these signs, act now. The longer termites stay active, the worse and more costly the damage gets. Most homeowners insurance won't cover termite damage, so prevention and quick treatment matter even more.

Ray's Pest Control has been the trusted name in termite protection throughout the Piedmont Triad for more than five decades. Our state-certified technicians use advanced detection methods and environmentally responsible solutions to get rid of termites and stop future infestations. We offer free assessments, guaranteed services and the quality workmanship that has kept customers with us since our founding.

We're a family-owned, locally operated company. We know the Winston-Salem area's specific termite challenges. Our commitment is to provide the highest quality service at the most reasonable price.

Contact Ray's Pest Control today for your free termite assessment. Protect your home before it's too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I have my Winston-Salem home inspected for termites?

Get your home inspected for termites once a year. If your property has had termite activity before, has moisture issues or has a lot of wood touching the ground, you might need inspections more often. Ray's Pest Control does thorough assessments and can tell you the best inspection schedule for your home.

Can I treat termites myself with store-bought products?

DIY termite products exist, but they rarely get rid of entire colonies. They might make you think the problem is solved when it isn't. Termite colonies have thousands or even millions of individuals, and they're often far from your house. Professional treatment is the only dependable way to eliminate termites and keep them from coming back.

How much damage can termites cause before I notice them?

Termites can do major structural damage anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on colony size and environmental conditions. Some infestations hide for years and end up costing tens of thousands of dollars to fix. That's why homeowners in the Winston-Salem area need regular professional inspections.