Termites are not pests that many Denver homeowners think about, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of your thoughts. The truth about termites is that they are active in Northern Colorado no matter the time of year, and if they damage your home, it’s more than likely that you’ll have to foot the repair bills without the help of your homeowner’s insurance. 

Even if you’ve never thought about termites, it’s not too late to find out what you need to know about these destructive pests. EnviroPest has put together the guide below to help you learn the signs of termite infestations every homeowner should know.

termite wings on the ground

Why Termites Are a Threat in Denver and All of Northern Colorado

One of the benefits of our cold winters is that many pests die off during this season. Unfortunately, termites aren’t one of those pests. Termites can survive even the coldest winters in one of two ways. They either settle below the frost line or remain in your climate-controlled home. Either way, all of the termites in the area can continue their destructive work, no matter the season. 

Termite damage can become extensive and extremely costly. Some colonies have millions of members, all of which eat the wood in the area they’ve infested. If that area is your Colorado home, the structural elements inside will eventually be compromised. Unfortunately, the news only gets worse. Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover termite damage (since it’s considered preventable through home maintenance), leaving you with hefty repair bills that you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket.

Recognizing Signs of Termites

Termites don’t make their presence obvious. In fact, they often go months or longer without being noticed, making it very difficult to identify an infestation, especially in its early stages. That said, there are certain signs that termites commonly leave behind. Look for the following signs of termite activity to identify an infestation around your Denver home.

Mud Tubes

Mud tubes are pencil‑width tubes made of dirt and termite saliva. Exposure to sun and air dries termites out, so they build these tubes when moving from their subterranean nests to other locations. Mud tubes are most often found along foundation or basement walls.

Winged Termites (Swarmers) & Shed Wings

The only termites with bodies tough enough to withstand the elements are reproductive termites, which are also called alates or swarmers. These termites have dark, segmented bodies and two sets of wings, closely resembling flying ants. 

You are most likely to see swarmers in the spring during mating season and after a good rainstorm. When they are ready to mate, these reproductive termites come out of hiding in a large group or swarm. They find mates, discard their wings,  and then return to the ground to start new colonies. The presence of termite swarmers or their discarded wings means a large, well-established colony is nearby. It also means that new colonies are in the process of forming.

Damaged or Hollow‑Sounding Wood

Check any accessible wood in your home, including baseboards, door frames, window sills, and walls. Tap lightly on the surface: if it sounds hollow, crumbles easily, or reveals internal tunneling, termite activity, whether old or new, is likely the cause. Even if the wood is behind walls, bulging, sagging, or cracked drywall can sometimes indicate termite damage inside.

Sticky Doors and Windows

In humid areas of the country, most people associate doors and windows that get stuck with the moisture in the air. Here in Northern Colorado, that problem is less likely to occur, which means that if you’re having a hard time opening or closing your windows or doors, there’s a higher chance that it’s because of a termite infestation.

Peeling or Bubbling Paint or Wallpaper

If termites have been in your house for a long time, the damage they’re causing may become noticeable. If you see bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper, it could result from termite damage.

Why Professional Termite Protection Matters

When it comes to termites, prevention is far better than trying to deal with them after they’ve gotten inside. Because they are so difficult to identify, expert intervention is the best way to eliminate and prevent termite colonies.

At EnviroPest, we install and maintain the Trelona® ATBS Bait System. The Trelona® ATBS Bait System uses bait stations that our specialists install into the ground around your property to bait termites with a slow‑acting agent. They carry it back to their colony, and it works its way through, eliminating the entirecolony.

EnviroPest employs expertly trained technicians who deliver prompt, guaranteed service. Our termite control is child—and pet-friendly, noninvasive, eco-conscious, and uses minimal yet effective materials.

Termite Prevention Tips for Homeowners

Although nothing can guarantee that termites will stay out of your home besides professional termite control, the following prevention tips can help make your property less appealing to these wood-destroying insects.

  • Keep mulch at least two feet from your home, or consider replacing it with crushed rock.

  • Store firewood elevated and away from your home or walls.

  • Trim plants so they don’t touch exterior walls.

  • Remove yard debris, yard waste, and unused wood and timber.

  • Maintain clear, functional gutters and fix leaks to avoid water-damaged wood.

  • Prevent soil-to-wood contact. Aim for an 18-inch gap between soil and wood portions of the structure.

  • Combine prevention measures with enrollment in EnviroPest’s termite control service plan.

If you’ve seen any signs of termite activity around your property, do not wait to take action. Contact EnviroPest to request your termite inspection. We will determine if termites are present in your house and recommend the best termite control plan for your needs and protection. Contact us to schedule your termite inspection today.