Since many pests that invade a home can be elusive and hidden, it is perfectly rational to wonder if you can hear any of the noises certain pests may make. When undergoing a termite infestation, it is very difficult to hear termites make noise around your home.
Although the sound of termites in your home is very faint, there are ways to hear certain sounds if you are investigating a possible termite infestation. The most important thing to remember is that termites are a quiet and secretive force of destruction, therefore, it may be beneficial to look for other signs of termites for more accurate confirmation of a termite infestation.
Do termites make noise and what do they sound like? Termites exude very faint noises that sound like clicking and chewing when observed with a stethoscope. The noises are rarely heard unless the ear is pressed against the infested wood.
Do Termites Make Noises in Walls?
Even though it is abnormal to be able to hear termites from faraway distances, there are instances where termites perform movements that can be heard if you are listening closely. A termites nest is constantly bustling with activity to the point where noise can be heard if you are listening closely.
The two types of sound that termites frequently make are described as faint clicking and chewing, of which both sounds correspond to particular termite behaviors. Clicking sounds typically indicate that the termites are in distress, which sees the insects banging their heads against the walls of the colony.
This sound is usually the most reported type of sound and this is particularly prevalent in walls. When no appliances are running, many homeowners report hearing the clicks and this is one sign that usually leads to termite inspection.
Additionally, chewing sounds are very distinctive and this sound can also be heard if listened for closely. Termites chew through the wood at a rapid rate to extract cellulose, which can be heard when hundreds of workers are chewing all at once.
How Do You Tell if You Have Termites in Your Walls?
Termite damage on walls is usually the first type of sign that confirms termite activity in a home. The appearance of termite frass and hollow wood are also likely indicators before any kind of termite sound is heard.
Walls are naturally hollow in most situations, therefore, sound can travel outwards at a much more noticeable rate. If your walls are made of wood, you may also press your ear against the wood to listen for a hollow sound.
Additionally, buzzing sounds may also be heard from walls if flying termites are attempting to leave a colony for a nuptial flight. Relying on sounds alone may not be enough to confirm a termite infestation.
An assessment of termite damage to walls is usually the best way to confirm termite presence. If the termite damage meets all of the characteristics of termites, this could be enough for a pest control professional to confirm an infestation in walls.
Are Termites Noisy When They Eat Wood?
Of all the sounds you can hear emanating from termite activity, the chewing of wood is likely the most distinctive. This can be easily heard during infestations of drywood termites within the home since this species can infest common household furniture.
The act of termites eating wood sounds like ordinary chewing which is magnified by the sound of termite saliva, which is passed to help extract cellulose from the wood. A room would need to be completely silent to hear the noise, otherwise, a stethoscope against the infested wood would likely be needed to hear the chewing sound.
Related Questions
Do Termites Make a Crunching Sound?
When eating wood, termites will make noises that resemble crunching sounds, which is caused by the worker termites actively chewing through the wood to extract cellulose. Again, much like other termite noises, this may only be audible if a person listens specifically for the noise.
If you frequently hear crunching noises throughout your home, this could be a sign that the termites have branched out into other parts of the home. Consult a pest control professional immediately if the crunching noises continue to occur and especially if the noises are in more than one room.
What is the First Sign of Termites?
Oftentimes, the first sign of an infestation within a home will be a noticeable deterioration in the quality of the wood throughout the home. Pest control professionals will frequently look for this sign in conjunction with the appearance of frass to diagnose an infestation.
Noises are usually not the first sign of an infestation, however, some circumstances may exist in which termite noises become overpowering, which leads to their discovery. Rarely, yet occasionally, termites can also be seen crawling in or out of wood, in addition to the appearance of mud tubes.
In Summary
Termites certainly do emit noise, however, it may not always be easy to pick up on this noise due to the very faint movements that come from such tiny insects.
If you ever these movements, there is a very strong possibility that what you are dealing with is an active infestation. The best method would be to consult with an exterminator to make a conclusive diagnosis that this is indeed the insect in question, as carpenter ants can have similar sounds.
As odd as it may seem, you can actually hear termites if the colony has grown large enough to have consistent feeding on the structures within your home. If ever in doubt, simply press your ear against a questionable structure and listen for clicking, chewing, or crunching, which is a sure sign that termites have taken up residence in the structure.
