When termites infest a home, they can damage any material made of cellulose. Potential food sources for termites include sheetrock paper, wood and other materials.
Sheetrock, also called drywall, typically is made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two sheets of very thick paperboard. Sheets of drywall are affixed to wall studs and ceiling joists to form walls and ceilings.
Termite damage to sheet rock paper (also spelled sheetrock) is generally easy to repair, if the damage is limited to the sheetrock. Damage is more difficult to repair if structural timbers, such as studs and joists, also have been infested.
Evidence of Termite Damage on Sheet Rock
Since termites typically damage walls from the inside out, they may not leave visible signs on the exterior of walls. Occasionally, they will make very small holes in sheetrock paper. You may see small bits of dirt where subterranean termites have made minute holes in sheetrock paper. You also may see very faint traces of termite tunnels in sheetrock. However, most homeowners only notice these “lines” when a licensed termite expert points them out during an inspection.
While it may be difficult to detect these changes to sheetrock, there are other signs of termite infestation that can be easier to see. Subterranean termites often build mud tubes where they enter the home, so you may see tubes on the interior or exterior portion of the wall. Drywood termites push fecal pellets out of their nests, leaving little mounds that serve as a clue to their whereabouts.
Through regular inspections, your termite technician can detect signs of activity and recommend treatment before termites can cause significant damage to your drywall or any other part of your home.