Swarming will usually occur after a rain when the temperature has been in the 65 to 70 degree range for several days. Another sure sign of termite activity is the discovery of shelter tubes on basement walls or floor joists or flooring in the basement area. Crumbling doorframes, baseboards, or window casings in first floor rooms are another sign of termite activity. These tubes are constructed of a sandy material and when brushed off will expose the pale white worker termite. Termites always eat the softwood between the grain in wood so you will find wood that is riddled with damage and packed with the sand.
Termites never eat across the grain and always pack everything they are working in with the sand.
The sand acts as a temperature control device as well as protection from ants that would prey on the termites. The termite is the only insect that is known to work 24 hours a day every day conditions permitting. Control of Subterranean Termites is now accomplished in two ways. The most common way is to treat the soil beneath and around the effected structure with a termiticide. This method requires the drilling of cement floors in basement areas as well as any concrete or asphalt driveways in contact with the structure.