Termite Pinholes in Drywall | subterranean termite damage

You walk into a room and notice tiny holes popping up on the drywall near wood trim or baseboards. Upon closer inspection, you see trails of mud around these small holes that almost look like pinpricks dotting the wall’s surface. Could these be termite pinholes in drywall caused by a subterranean termite infestation?

Termite pinholes in drywall are one of the most common signs of subterranean termites tunneling within walls and wooden structures. These small holes indicate areas where termites have created tunnels and kick-out holes to push their droppings out onto the wall.

Let’s take a closer look at what termite pinholes are, what causes them, the signs of subterranean termites, and how to inspect for an infestation in walls.

What Are Termite Pinholes in Drywall?

Termite pinholes are small holes, usually about the size of a pinhead, that termites create in surfaces like drywall when they hollow out tunnels. As subterranean termites feed on cellulose materials like the wood framing and insulation inside walls, they burrow through these areas leaving behind piles of feces and soil.

This debris has to go somewhere, so termites will push them out to the surface through tiny holes that we call “kick-out holes” or pinholes. In walls, these holes usually appear in the drywall or at joints and seams.

You may also hear these small holes referred to as ping marks, pop holes, or pellet kick-outs. But they all refer to the same sign of termites tunneling within an area and pushing out waste material through the wall surface.

drywall signs of termites

To determine if small holes in your drywall could be termite pinholes, here are some of the common signs and symptoms to look for:

• Tiny holes surrounded by mud tubes – Mud tubes indicate areas where termites tunnel and travel between their nest and food sources. If the holes have trails of thick, raised mud around them, this points to termites.
• Small holes near wood – Since termites feed on cellulose like wood, holes near trim, baseboards, frames, and wood structures may mean termites are feeding in that area.
• Clicking sounds coming from walls – A light tapping on walls that sounds like clicking may indicate termite activity inside. It’s the sound of their mandibles chewing.
• Sawdust or termite droppings around holes – Frass, the mixture of feces and chewed wood, will often collect around termite pinholes as they push out waste. Sawdust and debris around holes indicate tunneling.

These signs combined with small pinpricks in drywall present a strong case for subterranean termites invading walls and structural wood.

Why Do Termites Make Pinholes?

Termites create these small holes in drywall not to damage the home but to actually protect themselves. As social insects, termites have complex colonies with divisions of labor. While worker termites are out gathering food and feeding the colony, they need ways to move safely through areas.

Some worker termites become builders, constructing long mud tubes against surfaces to protect the colony’s tunnels from light, air currents, and other external threats. Other termites take on the role of soldiers, defending the colony from ants, bees, or other insects.

When termites hollow out an area like a wall for food, they also build tunnels with kick-out holes to dispose of waste safely without exposing themselves. These pinholes allow termites to:

• Transport waste – Frass and soil have to go somewhere, so termites push them out tiny holes they create to the surface. This leaves behind piles of sawdust and drier feces.
• Access food sources – Holes also grant access in and out of their tunnels to reach wood and return food to their colony.
• Avoid threats – Small holes let termites move safely to food while avoiding light, airflow, and predators entering tunnels.

So while termite pinholes can signal damage in structures, the termites create them to facilitate their colony’s growth safely. But left unchecked, large infestations can severely compromise wood frameworks.

Should You Cover Termite Pinholes?

When you spot signs of pinholes, you may wonder if you should cover them up. However, it’s important not to cover termite holes in drywall or seal them shut before addressing an infestation within walls.

If termite tunnels have openings to ventilation, light, and air currents, it can discourage them from expanding damage as they avoid these environmental stressors. Sealing them inside lets them continue to hollow out wood freely without threats, expanding structural damage.

Plus, covering holes removes signs of termite presence so you may miss areas of activity. This allows populations to grow undetected and surrounds them in more ideal conditions to nest.

Instead, leave pinholes exposed and contact pest control experts if you confirm an active infestation. Use the holes as clues to track infested areas requiring treatment.

Finding Subterranean Termites

Detecting a subterranean termite infestation can be tricky before wood damage appears. Unlike drywood termites which live in wood structures, these species nest underground and tunnel into buildings.

Here are some signs that can indicate subterranean termites on your property even without pinholes:

• Swarmers emerging indoors – During mating seasons, winged reproductives emerge and fly. Spotting these winged termites emerging inside means colonies have been established on your property for years.
• Mud tunnels over foundation walls – Long mud tubes may trail over concrete foundations where termites enter from underground nests.
• Hollow sounds when tapping wood – Tap structural wood along floorboards and roof beams listening for a hollow tunnels sound rather than solid wood.

Catching infestations early makes treatments easier before populations grow and damage becomes visible. If you live in an area prone to subterranean termites, get annual inspections to detect nests nearby even if no signs appear within the home yet.

Recognizing Termite Pinholes

Sometimes small holes appear in drywall from causes other than termites. It’s important to look for accompanying evidence around holes to correctly identify termite pinholes.

Pinholes alone: Random, sporadic pinholes alone may indicate issues like:

• Settling cracks in drywall
• Nail pops behind drywall shifting off studs
• Damage during construction materials storage

Pinholes with mud tubes and sawdust: Small holes surrounded by these signs most often indicate active termites:

• Tunnels of thick mud trailed along wood or walls
• Piles of fine debris and cellulose dust around holes

The key is holes near wood with trailing mud tubes and dust rather than holes alone which can have other causes. Also tap along walls listening for hollow tunnel sounds where holes appear.

Repairing Termite Pinholes in Drywall

While fixing superficial pinholes seems simple, the priority when finding termite damage is full elimination of the infestation first before cosmetic repairs. Sealing up pinholes and cracks alone won’t stop termites from tunneling and feeding if the nests are still active and growing within walls.

Here is a brief overview of the termite treatment and repair process:

1. Schedule inspection and treatment – Have pest control experts treat the full extent of infestation and eliminate all nesting sites both in the home and underground. Treatment often involves a combination of termiticides, soil barriers, wood treatments, and bait systems.
2. Allow wood drying time – Give treated wooden structures inside walls at least 6 months to fully dry out to prevent rot and mold if sealing up openings too soon.
3. Repair holes and tunnels – After confirmed termite elimination through inspection, dry out, and re-treatment if needed, repair holes, rebuild scarred wood, and seal up any exterior entry points.

Trying shortcut fixes without addressing the root infestation and wood integrity issues first won’t stop damage from spreading quickly. Get professional guidance tailored to your unique termite issue before covering any signs of damage.

Preventing Termite Infestations

While occasional swarmer termite sightings indoors may be inevitable in certain regions, taking preventative measures can stop them from nesting and colonizing your property and avoid infestations spreading into living spaces:

• Keep wood away from soil contact – This denies termites their main hidden passageway into structures. Install barriers and remove mulch and wood debris touching houses.
• Get professional termite treatments – To protect your home from ongoing damage, get professional termite treatments, like Orkin.
• Inspect regularly – Periodically check slabs, foundation walls, supports in crawl spaces for signs of tunnels or damaged wood. Catch invasions early before populations multiply.

Finding Subterranean Termites

Detecting a subterranean termite infestation can be tricky before wood damage appears. Unlike drywood termites which live in wood structures, these species nest underground and tunnel into buildings.

Here are some signs that can indicate subterranean termites on your property even without pinholes:

Swarmers Signs

• During mating seasons, winged reproductives emerge and fly. Spotting these winged termites emerging inside means colonies have been established on your property for years.
• Swarmers appear between spring and fall usually following a rainy period. Seeing winged termites emerging indoors likely means an underground nest has been established nearby.
• Termite swarmers have straight antennae, two pairs of equal sized wings, and wing veins that do not extend around the wing edges unlike flying ants. Compare characteristics to identify termite alates accurately.

Mud Tunnels

• Long mud tubes may trail over concrete foundation walls, wooden exterior walls, support beams, or other areas where termites create protected pathways from their underground nests into structures.
• Check where soil meets the exterior of slabs or foundation stem walls for thick mud tunnels leading upward. Also inspect inside crawl spaces and unfinished basements for mud trails if accessible.
• Break open sections of these tubes to check for termites traveling inside. Presence confirms activity in that area.

Hollow Damaged Wood

• Tap along floorboards, skirting boards, roof beams, rafters, and other structural wood elements listening for a hollow tunneling sound rather than solid wood.
• Pay attention to areas where soil contacts wood for highest probability of termite entry points. An echo-like resonating tap can mean termites hollowed out the insides leaving only a thin wood layer on the surface.
• Use a screw driver to scrape away wood in suspected areas. Soft, layered wood that is easily breaking apart likely indicates damaged and hollowed sections.

Checking for these signs regularly allows early detection of termite activity on the property before extensive damage spreads into living spaces. Call pest control professionals for complete termite elimination treatments if signs are spotted.

Recognizing Termite Pinholes

Sometimes small holes appear in drywall from causes other than termites. It’s important to look for accompanying evidence around holes to correctly identify termite pinholes.

Pinholes in Drywall Alone

Random, sporadic pinholes alone may indicate other common issues like:

• Settling cracks in drywall from soil moisture changes
• Popped nail heads behind drywall shifting off studs
• Accidental damage during construction process

With no other signs present, isolated pinholes likely do not indicate a termite issue.

Pinholes Surrounded by Other Signs

Tiny holes surrounded by these accompanying signs most often indicate active termites tunneling inside walls:

• Trails of thick mud tubes along walls or wood elements
• Piles of fine sawdust and debris around holes
• Hollow tunneling sounds coming from wall interiors when tapped
• Pinholes clustered around one main area rather than sporadic

The combination of small holes near wood with trailing mud and dust points to termites as the damage source rather than other causes.

Repairing Termite Pinholes in Drywall

While fixing superficial pinholes seems simple, the priority when finding termite damage is full elimination of the infestation first before cosmetic repairs. Sealing up pinholes and cracks alone won’t stop termites from tunneling and feeding if the nests are still active and growing within walls.

Here is a brief overview of the termite treatment and repair process:

1. Schedule Inspection and Treatment

• Have pest control experts treat the full extent of infestation and eliminate all nesting sites both in the home and underground.
• Treatment often involves a combination of termiticides, soil barriers, wood treatments, and bait toxins to eradicate colonies.

2. Allow Drying Time

• Give treated wooden structures inside walls at least 6 months to fully dry out to prevent rot and mold if sealing openings too soon.

3. Repair Holes and Tunnels

• After confirmed termite elimination through follow-up inspection, dry out, and re-treatment if needed, repair holes, rebuild damaged wood, and seal up any exterior entry points.

Trying shortcut fixes without addressing the root infestation and wood integrity issues first won’t stop damage from spreading quickly. Get professional guidance tailored to your unique termite issue before covering any signs of damage.

Preventing Termite Infestations

While occasional swarmer termite sightings indoors may be inevitable in certain regions, taking preventative measures can stop them from nesting and colonizing your property and avoid infestations spreading into living spaces:

Keep Wood Away From Soil

• Eliminate any contact between wood elements and soil which provides their prime hidden passageway inside.
• Install barriers and remove mulch, debri, or wood scraps touching houses.

Professional Treatments

• Whether repellent liquids, bait stations, or physical barriers, treatments around building perimeters discourage nearby nest establishment.
• Maintain annual protection renewal plans.

Inspect Regularly

• Check concrete foundation walls, crawl space supports, slabs, and other areas for mud tunnels or damaged wood.
• Catch invasions early before populations multiply.

Scheduling routine professional termite inspections allows for early detection if colonies start to establish themselves surrounding your property. Don’t allow populations to grow unrestrained.

Summary of Key Things to Remember

If you discover signs of termite pinholes in drywall on your property, here are the most important things to keep in mind:

• Get professional inspections – Don’t ignore small holes or termite activity. Schedule expert inspection and analysis to determine necessary treatment plans.
• Prioritize elimination first – Before physically covering holes, focus on full termite colony elimination both inside walls and underground nest origins.
• Leave pinholes exposed initially – This allows continued monitoring of infested areas during treatment and prevents sealing termites inside with more ideal conditions.
• Take a multi-step approach – Effective termite elimination involves inspection, specialized treatment, thorough wood drying time, re-inspection if needed, then cosmetic hole repairs. No shortcuts.
• Prevent future invasions – Maintain diligence with soil-wood separation, perimeter treatments, and routine monitoring for early detection before major damage occurs.