They’re small, quiet and easy to miss. But termites can pack a serious punch when it comes to damaging your home or business. These sneaky pests chew through wood structures from the inside out, leaving behind costly repairs. Yes, they’re good for the ecosystem (they help break down and recycle natural plant materials into nutrients while maintaining soil structure and fertility), but don’t let that fool you. They’re terrible houseguests! Knowing what to look for can help you catch termite infestations early – before they do too much damage. Here’s how.

Common Types Of Termites And How To Spot Them

Subterranean Termites

These termites live underground in damp soil and tunnel into wood from below. Subterranean termites avoid open air, and their damage usually stays hidden until things get serious. In Canada, there are two known species of subterranean termites: Western Subterranean, found mainly on the Pacific West Coast of British Columbia, and Eastern Subterranean Termites, found mainly in Southern Ontario.

Signs you have subterranean termites:

  • Buckling Wood or Swollen Floors/Ceilings – Often mistaken for water damage
  • Hollow Sound – Wood eaten by termites sounds hollow when tapped because the grain is missing
  • Mud Tubes running from the ground up to the side of the building
  • Droppings – Pellets inside of damaged wood
  • Winged Termites – Swarmers are often attracted to light fixtures; piles of shredded wings are found around windows and baseboards
  • Moldy or Mildewy Smell – coming from around walls or floors

Drywood Termites

Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites set up shop right in wood structures. They’re commonly found inside the walls, furniture, objects or other dry wood parts of a building or wood structure. Drywood termites are not common in Canada, but they are often introduced to the country through infested wood like lumber, furniture and packaging wood crates used to build homes or structures.

Signs you have drywood termites:

  • Cracks and exit holes in wood surfaces reveal a maze of tunnels
  • Pellets (droppings) that look like small piles of sawdust take the colour of infested wood, often formed in small piles around the exit holes
  • Winged termites or wings scattered on the ground and windowsills
  • Sealed-off gallery openings with no mud tubes

For more info on treating termite problems, download our How to Inspect for and Prevent Termites guide.

Side by side comparison of an illustrated Subterranean Termite on the left and an illustrated Drywood Termite on the right, both displayed on a beige background with labels beneath each termite.

Termites Vs. Ants: What’s The Difference?

It’s easy to mistake termites for flying ants—especially since they look alike and are active in similar weather. But spotting the difference is key.

Here are some ways to tell them apart:

  • Antennae – Termites have straight bead-like antennae, while ants have elbow-shaped ones that bend at an angle.
  • Body Shape & Colour – Termites have a thick, uniform waist, while ants have a narrow, pinched waist. Most ants are brown and black in colour, while termites are a light-cream colour.
  • Wings – Termites’ wings are all the same length, but ants’ front wings are much larger than the back ones.

Side by side comparison of a Flying Termite on the left and a Flying Ant on the right, with labels beneath each image.

How To Keep Termites Away

Whether for your home or business, routine inspections are key to spotting termite infestations early. And while professional help is often best, there are DIY steps you can take to reduce termite risk of infestation before they happen:

What To Do Outside Your Property

  • Regularly Inspect & Reduce Wood Debris – Move old stumps, fallen branches or firewood at least 15 feet from your house. Anything wooden or decaying is an open invitation to termites.
  • Reduce Moisture Sources – Fix leaking pipes and roofing, clear out debris in your gutters and make sure downspouts direct water away from the foundation. Standing water or moisture in building structures (in gutters or around your foundation) is termite bait!
  • Watch for Mud Tubes – Foundations, porches or pipes are termites’ “highways.” Look for small, flat tubes about a quarter-inch wide that run up walls or siding. They’re a telltale sign of subterranean termites.
  • Rethink Mulch & Wood Touching Your Structure – Avoid using wood mulch directly against the foundation; try stone, pine straw or a sand barrier. Also, check if your wooden fence, sheds or garden bed borders are touching the house – move them if you can or replace them with termite-resistant or treated woods.
  • Inspect for Cracks, Gaps or Voids – Regularly search in walls, foundations and around utilities, which termites can use to abridge and enter inside. If found, seal such openings.

What To Do Inside Your Property

  • Check Baseboards and Drywall for Damage – Look along baseboards and drywall for bubbling, cracks or peeling. Termites love cellulose, which is found in drywall paper, so any damage here can be a red flag.
  • Look for Water Damage Around the House – Termites are drawn to moisture, so watch for water damage near sinks, tubs, toilets or even moulding. Check the bathroom, kitchen and basement regularly for leaks.
  • Basements or Crawl Spaces are Pressure Points for Termites – Ensure they are dry and have proper ventilation to reduce humidity and moisture.
  • Incoming Wood Items – Inspect any wood for drywood termites that you bring into structures, including firewood, wood furniture and decorative wood items.

See how our termite treatments can protect your home from termites—permanently.

Severe termite damage to a wooden door frame, with hollowed-out wood and debris scattered on the floor

Termites In Your Facility

Termites can be just as destructive to businesses as they are to homes. Commercial buildings with wood-to-ground contact, leaks or high moisture levels are especially at risk. Signs of infestation are the same, but the impact can be even more costly when termites disrupt business operations. If you see any of these signs, it may be time to call in a professional:

  • Cracks or bubbles in paint on walls
  • Bubbling or peeling surfaces
  • Brownish tan droppings
  • Mud tubes along the foundation
  • Winged termites around doors and windows

Once termites stop by for a snack, it can be difficult to get rid of them. Download this Termite Prevention Tip Sheet to learn how you can help stop termites from eating away at your workplace performance.

“For commercial facility managers, it’s essential to train your staff or have a professional pest control provider perform regular inspections of your structure – preferably every spring or summer. Educating your team on how to spot signs of infestation or eliminating moisture sources is a key step in protecting your structure from unwanted pests.”  – Alice Sinia, Ph.D., MSc, Quality Assurance Manager at Orkin Canada

Termite Prevention From Orkin Canada

To prevent termites, regular inspections and proactive treatments are key. Professional help can make a big difference in protecting your home or business from infestations and future damage.

At Orkin Canada, we offer customized solutions, including baiting systems and preventative measures designed to fit your property’s specific needs. We’re also the only licensed national pest control provider in Canada to offer the Sentricon® termite control system. The highly effective, environmentally responsible solution is engineered to eliminate subterranean termites and protect properties from future infestations.

A Sentricon unit being put into the ground by an Orkin Pro

Whether you’ve spotted signs of termites or want to stay ahead of the problem, we’re here to help! Contact your local Orkin Canada branch for a free estimate.