Termites work in silence. They hide in walls, crawlspaces, and soil, and damage can add up before you see a clear clue. Early attention saves wood, money, and stress. You can spot patterns without tearing walls open. Here are nine early signs your home has termites.
Pencil-thin mud tubes on walls or foundations
Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel between soil and wood. Look along slab edges, stem walls, porch steps, and crawlspace piers. Check hidden runs behind shrubs and stored items. Tubes can rise vertically or snake along seams. Gently scrape a small section. If the termites rebuild it within a few days, activity is likely current.
Photograph before and after, and note the location, length, and width. Keep one section intact so you can monitor change. Old tubes look dry and crumbly, and fresh tubes look tan and damp, so mark those on your map.
Winged swarmers or piles of shed wings
A sudden cloud of flying insects near windows is a loud clue. Swarmers appear as colonies mature, often after rain and on warm days. They drop clear, equal-length wings that collect on sills and floors. Compare body shape to ants. Termites have straight antennae and a uniform waist. Ants have bent antennae and a pinched waist.
If you find wings indoors, the colony may already be inside. Do not wait; schedule an inspection and consider prompt termite control. Vacuum once, then recheck in two days. New piles signal active swarming.
Tiny pellet piles
Drywood termites push out small, sand-like pellets through pinholes in wood. Look under window trim, attic rafters, and garage headers. Pellets are hard, oval, and often tan or coffee colored. Sweep once and return later. New pellets mean ongoing activity.
Place a white paper under a suspect spot to catch fresh debris. Tap lightly on the wood and watch for falling grains. Keep a zip-top bag with a labeled sample for identification. Do not seal holes until a licensed professional examines the area. Sealing early can trap moisture and change patterns.
Hollow or papery-sounding wood
Tap baseboards, door jambs, and exposed beams with a screwdriver handle. Solid wood sounds low and firm. Damaged wood can sound hollow or papery. Press lightly with a probe. The surface may cave with little force. Look for thin, maze-like galleries just under paint or finish. Save any chips in a labeled bag for your inspector.
Sticking windows, tight doors, and subtle warping
Wood shifts when galleries weaken fibers. Windows that once glided can now stick, and doors may rub at the top or fail to latch. Seasonal changes can explain some movement, but new friction deserves a closer look. Check casing for hairline cracks or fresh paint splits. Note the miters that have opened. Probe lower corners where water collects, and compare rooms with similar sun and use. If one bay misbehaves while others glide, focus there.
Pair fit problems with other clues in the same zone. Look for mud tubes, frass, or unexplained moisture. Be sure to photograph and date what you see. Lightly probe suspect wood, then stop. Avoid forcing windows or doors until you understand the cause. If warping is new and paired with other signs, schedule a professional inspection.
Faint clicking or rustling inside the walls
Termite soldiers can make a soft clicking sound. Workers moving through paper-thin layers can rustle. Make sure everything in the house is quiet, then listen with intent. Turn off the HVAC system and appliances, and place your ear, or a mechanic’s stethoscope, on the surface.
Check during a calm afternoon when outside noise is low. Repeat this over several days, record a 30-second clip with your phone, and note the location. Consistent noise from the same spot, plus another sign, warrants a professional look.
Live insects in soil, mulch, or firewood stacks
Lift a mulch edge or a landscape timber. You may see soft-bodied insects avoiding light. Be sure to confirm identity before you panic. Termites are creamy and uniform, with straight antennae. Ants have a pinched waist and visible eyes. Photograph a close-up with a coin for scale.
Do not spray first and ask questions later. Sprays scatter workers and erase useful evidence. Keep firewood off the ground and away from walls. Rotate the bottom layers to check for activity. Ensure you bag a few intact specimens for identification. Local extension offices can help with identification.
Maze-like patterns and galleries under paint or veneer
Termites follow the grain and leave thin, winding trails. You may see lines under a clear finish. Plaster or paint can show faint raised maps, and blisters in wood flooring can outline a path.
Use a bright side light to cast shadows and reveal texture. Mark edges with painter’s tape for later photos. If you open a small inspection hole, stop as soon as you reach galleries. Leave the area for a professional to assess.
These paths rarely look straight or clean. Fine mud or paper-thin coverings over voids are common. Document what you see and where. Good notes help track spread and plan treatment.
Bubbling paint, rippled drywall, or mystery moisture
Termites move moisture as they travel. Paint can bubble without a plumbing leak, and drywall may ripple or sag in small patches. Check for browned paper, soft spots, or faint stains. Use a moisture meter if you have one. Scan baseboards in kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms.
Review recent spills or leaks that might explain the reading. If moisture shows up with no clear source, look for galleries. Log humidity and room temperature in your notes. If moisture shows up mostly on the bottom of a wall, mark each spot. Moisture and termites often travel together.
Endnote
Early detection saves wood and money. Take a 10-minute walk-through on your calendar each month. Move room to room, and photograph, label, and file what you see. Patterns appear quickly when notes are consistent.
If two or more signs show in one area, call a licensed inspector. Ask for species identification, a written plan, and a simple treatment map. Learn the method (bait or liquid) and what the warranty covers. Schedule follow-up inspections and moisture fixes. Be sure to keep all records in your home file. Small, steady habits protect the structure, the budget, and your peace of mind.
