How to Read the Signs of a Termite Problem (Before It’s Too Late)

Termites cause more structural damage to US homes than fires and floods combined — and most homeowners don’t know they have them until the damage is already done. Unlike most pests, termites work silently inside walls, floors, and foundations for months or years before showing visible signs.

Here’s what to look for before a small problem becomes a major repair bill.

1. Mud Tubes on Foundation Walls

Subterranean termites — the most destructive species in the US — build pencil-thin mud tubes along foundation walls, crawl spaces, and floor joists. These tubes protect them from light and air as they travel between the soil and their food source (your house).

What to do: Break a small section of the tube. If it’s rebuilt within a few days, you have an active infestation.

2. Hollow-Sounding Wood

Tap on wood beams, window frames, baseboards, and door frames. Termite-damaged wood sounds hollow or papery because they eat from the inside out, leaving only a thin shell.

What to do: Press on any wood that sounds hollow. If it caves or crumbles, contact a structural pest control professional immediately.

3. Discarded Wings Near Windows and Doors

Termite swarmers — reproductive termites — emerge in spring to start new colonies. They shed their wings immediately after landing. Finding small piles of identical wings near light sources or entry points is a strong indicator of a nearby termite colony.

What to do: Collect a few wings and compare. Termite wings are equal in length. Ant wings (a common lookalike) are unequal.

4. Frass — Termite Droppings

Drywood termites push their droppings out of small kick-out holes in wood. Frass looks like tiny wood-colored pellets — similar to sawdust but more uniform in shape. Finding frass below baseboards, window sills, or furniture is a sign of drywood termite activity.

5. Warped Doors and Windows

As termites damage wood and produce moisture, door frames and window frames can warp. If doors or windows suddenly stick or won’t close properly — especially in areas with no water damage — termites could be the cause.

6. Visible Tunnels in Wood

If you break open a piece of damaged wood and see a maze of tunnels running through it, that’s termite damage. This is often found in firewood, old stumps, or structural beams in unfinished areas.

What to Do If You Spot These Signs

Termites are one pest where DIY treatment is rarely sufficient for an established infestation. The colony is almost always larger than what’s visible. A licensed pest control professional can assess the extent of the damage and recommend a targeted treatment — tent fumigation, bait systems, or liquid barrier treatment depending on the species and severity.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, start with a photo identification before calling anyone.