How to Identify Termite Mounds in the Yard

Having termite mounds is a common sign of termite infestation on your property. These insects build these to serve as their home and help provide the respiratory needs of the colonies in outdoor areas. Termite mounds can be a nuisance and you may want to know how to identify these to maintain your safety from these pests.  

So how can you identify termite mounds in your yard? Termite mounds tend to resemble ant hills and are commonly made up of a specific ratio of soil and termite saliva. You can also determine these structures by looking at whether termites are entering or exiting them. 

Identifying Termite Mounds: What You Need To Know

Since termite mounds tend to look like anthills or a giant molehill, they can be difficult to identify. Termite mounds also come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the species of termites that built the mound. Here are some factors to help you identify termite mounds easily: 

1) What They Look Like

Termite mounds come in different sizes, with some even reaching 25 feet tall and with a diameter of almost 100 feet. Common termite mounds don’t reach that size, but they are still easily identifiable because they aren’t the same level as the rest of your yard. You may want to look for tunnels made of soil or gray or brown specks of fecal matter. 

If you want to take a closer look at these lumps of soil, look for a rounded smokestack on top of the mound, which serves as its opening. Check to see if there are termites coming from the opening of the mound. 

2) What They Are Made of

Termite mounds are usually made up of soil, termite saliva, and dung. Saliva is one of the important components of these structures. It doesn’t necessarily make the structure stronger, but it’s incredibly helpful in keeping the mounds more weatherproof. 

When all of these materials are combined, it creates a biocement called “boluses”, which are spherical bricks used to construct the mound. There is a specific ratio of water and soil to create these boluses. Termites shape boluses while they are still wet, and they become hard and strong once they dry up. Inside the termite mounds, there are several specialized chambers that help store food and feed the colony. Termite mounds are also constantly maintained by worker ants, who are responsible for repairs. 

3) Where to Look for Them

Although most termites build their mounds in the soil, homeowners who face termite infestations may have to deal with the pests sealing themselves inside the wood they’re feeding on. The part you see above the ground is only a small part of the termite colony’s nest. Most termites don’t live in the mound’s part that you see above ground, but under the soil where the mound is. 

How to Eliminate Termite Mounds 

Once you’ve identified termite mounds in your yard, you can eliminate them using different methods. Some of them are the following: 

1) Chemical Insecticides

Using chemical insecticides is a common method to eliminate termites and other pests. Chemicals like Arsenic trioxide, Bifenthrin, Fipronil, and Permethrin can be used for this purpose, but remember that some of these products can be hazardous to your health and can even damage the plants in your garden. You should understand the effects of these chemicals on the environment before choosing it as your pest control method. 

2) Baited Traps

Setting up baited traps or termite bait stations is another way to help eliminate termites, especially subterranean ones. These devices work slowly to kill off worker termites, who are necessary for the colony’s survival. Without worker termites, soldier termites and queen termites starve since they can’t look for food on their own. Termite bait stations are installed underground to help get rid of termite colonies that live under the soil and they usually contain cellulose, insecticides, and other active ingredients. 

3) Professional Pest Control

Professional pest control is possibly your best option to eliminate termite mounds and their colonies from your home. Pest control experts have the knowledge to identify termites and the necessary skills to use specific methods for controlling a pest population. These professionals conduct a thorough inspection of your property to determine what kind of solutions are the best for your pest problem. 

Another great thing about professional pest control is that they guarantee termite-free houses. They are willing to do another round of pest control visits if the termites or pests ever come back. 

Eliminate Termite Mounds With Pinnacle Pest Control

Eliminating termite mounds properly requires the skill of a professional. At Pinnacle Pest Control, we provide the best pest control services to remove termites and other pests such as rodents, bed bugs, and cockroaches. 

Our team is committed to provide the best service for our clients so that they can live in a safe and pest-free home. Experts and technicians are more than willing to answer any questions you have about our services. Call us today to know more about Pinnacle Pest Control. 

Learn more: How Does Termite Bait Work?