What is NOT a sign of a subterranean termite infestation?

Identifying signs of a subterranean termite infestation is crucial for timely intervention and prevention of further damage. Subterranean termites are known for their specific behaviors and the types of damage they cause, making it easier to spot their presence through certain indicators.

Fecal pellets are typically associated with drywood termites, which leave behind distinctive frass (fecal matter). In contrast, subterranean termites tend to consume wood and build their nests in soil, leading to a different type of waste management that doesn’t generate fecal pellets in the same way. Instead, these termites create mud tubes and cause extensive wood damage by tunneling through it, making the absence of fecal pellets a valid indicator of a subterranean termite infestation, confirming this as an unrelated sign.

The other signs, such as swarming insects, wood damage, and paint damage, are directly linked to subterranean termites. Swarming occurs when reproductive termites leave the colony to mate and establish new colonies, typically during warmer months. Wood damage is caused as these termites consume wood cellulose, which can lead to significant structural weaknesses. Paint damage can also be indicative of tunneling beneath the surface, leading to peeling or bubbling as the wood is compromised.

Recognizing these distinctions and linking them to the specific