10 Early Warning Signs of Termite Activity
Recognize common indicators before damage becomes severe.
TL;DR: 10 early termite signs: mud tubes, discarded wings, frass pellets, hollow wood, bubbling paint, stuck doors/windows, sagging floors, clicking sounds, visible damage, and seasonal swarmers.
— Start with mud tubes guide,
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- Patterns > single clues (location, timing, recurrence, spread).
- We don't review photos or identify pests (education only).
- Only licensed professionals can confirm an infestation.
📋 Assess with LTRS: Location, Timing, Recurrence, Spread — log patterns, not just single clues.
Educational awareness only: This guide helps you recognize potential signs. Only a licensed pest control professional can confirm termite activity and recommend treatment.
Early detection is critical. Termites can cause significant structural damage before homeowners notice obvious signs. This guide covers the 10 most common early warning indicators—what to look for, where to check, and when to call a professional.
1Discarded Wings Near Entry Points
What to look for: Small, translucent wings (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long) near windowsills, door frames, or other entry points. Wings are typically equal in length and have a delicate, veined appearance.
What it means: Reproductive termites (swarmers) shed their wings after finding a mate and a suitable nesting location. Finding discarded wings often indicates a new colony is establishing nearby.
When it happens: Most common in spring after warm, humid weather. Swarms typically occur during daylight hours.
Action: Document the location and date. Schedule a professional inspection if you find multiple wings or see them repeatedly.
2Mud Tubes on Foundation or Walls
What to look for: Pencil-width (1/4 to 1/2 inch) tubes made of soil, wood particles, and termite saliva. Typically brown or tan, running vertically along foundations, walls, or pipes.
What it means: Subterranean termites build these protective tunnels to travel between soil and food sources while maintaining moisture. Active tubes feel moist inside when broken open.
Where to check: Foundation perimeter, crawl spaces, basement walls, around plumbing penetrations, and where wood meets soil.
Action: Break open a small section. If termites are present or the tube is rebuilt within days, schedule an immediate inspection. Learn more in our detailed mud tubes guide.
3Hollow-Sounding Wood
What to look for: Wood that sounds hollow or papery when tapped. May appear normal on the surface but feels soft or gives when pressed.
What it means: Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer. The hollow sound indicates internal tunneling and structural compromise.
Where to check: Baseboards, door frames, window sills, support beams, floor joists, and any wood-to-ground contact points.
Action: Gently tap suspect wood with a screwdriver handle. If it sounds hollow or the screwdriver easily penetrates, call a professional.
4Frass (Termite Droppings)
What to look for: Small, pellet-like droppings resembling sawdust or coffee grounds. Typically found in small piles near kick-out holes (tiny openings in wood).
What it means: Drywood termites push their fecal pellets out of galleries through small holes. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood species don't use their waste in tunnel construction.
Color and shape: Pellets are usually hexagonal with rounded ends, ranging from light tan to dark brown depending on wood type consumed.
Action: Photograph the frass and location. Clean it up and monitor—if it reappears, you have active drywood termites. See our frass identification guide.
5Bubbling or Peeling Paint
What to look for: Paint that appears bubbled, uneven, or peeling without obvious water damage. May look similar to water damage but occurs in unexpected locations.
What it means: Moisture from termite activity or their tunneling just beneath the surface can cause paint to bubble or peel. Often confused with water damage.
Where to check: Walls, baseboards, window frames, and door frames—especially in areas without plumbing or roof leaks.
Action: Rule out water damage first. If no moisture source is apparent, inspect for other termite signs and consider professional evaluation.
6Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows
What to look for: Doors or windows that suddenly become difficult to open or close, especially if multiple openings are affected simultaneously.
What it means: Termite tunneling and moisture from their activity can cause wood to warp. The excrement and mud they produce can also create uneven surfaces.
When to worry: If warping occurs without seasonal humidity changes or recent weather events, and especially if accompanied by other signs.
Action: Inspect frames for mud tubes, frass, or hollow sounds. Document which openings are affected and when the problem started.
7Sagging Floors or Ceilings
What to look for: Floors that feel spongy, bounce when walked on, or visibly sag. Ceilings that appear to droop or have water-stain-like discoloration.
What it means: Severe termite damage to floor joists, support beams, or ceiling joists compromises structural integrity. This is an advanced sign indicating significant infestation.
Safety note: Sagging can indicate dangerous structural weakness. Avoid walking on severely affected floors.
Action: Immediate professional inspection required. May need both pest control and structural engineer evaluation.
8Visible Tunnels in Wood
What to look for: Maze-like patterns or galleries visible in exposed wood, broken furniture, or damaged structural members. Tunnels follow the wood grain.
What it means: Direct evidence of termite feeding. The pattern and location can help identify species—subterranean termites pack tunnels with mud, drywood termites leave them clean.
Where to find: Damaged furniture, exposed beams, broken baseboards, or during renovation work.
Action: Photograph the damage. If tunnels appear clean and dry, suspect drywood termites. If muddy, likely subterranean. Professional identification needed.
9Clicking Sounds in Walls
What to listen for: Faint clicking, rustling, or tapping sounds coming from inside walls, especially at night when the house is quiet.
What it means: Soldier termites bang their heads against wood to signal danger to the colony. Worker termites also make noise while chewing. Sounds are subtle and easily missed.
When to listen: Late evening or early morning in quiet conditions. Place your ear against suspect walls.
Action: While rare to hear, if you do detect these sounds along with other signs, schedule an inspection promptly.
10Live Termites or Swarmers
What to look for: Small, pale insects (workers) in damaged wood or soil. Flying termites (swarmers) near windows or lights during swarm season.
Identification: Workers are cream-colored, soft-bodied, about 1/4 inch long. Swarmers are darker with two pairs of equal-length wings. Don't confuse with flying ants.
When to see them: Workers are rarely seen unless you break into infested wood. Swarmers emerge in spring, typically after rain.
Action: Capture a specimen in a sealed container or photograph it. Contact a professional immediately for identification and inspection.
What to Do If You Find Multiple Signs
Document everything: Take photos, note dates, and mark locations on a simple floor plan.
Don't disturb evidence: Avoid cleaning up frass or breaking more mud tubes than necessary for inspection.
Schedule a professional inspection: Only licensed professionals can confirm species, assess damage extent, and recommend treatment. Learn more about how inspections work.
Don't panic: While termites cause damage, it typically occurs over months or years. You have time to get multiple quotes and make informed decisions.
Next Steps
Common Questions
How many signs do I need to see before calling an inspector?
If you see multiple signs in the same area, or if any single sign recurs after cleanup, schedule a professional inspection.
Can one sign confirm termites?
No single sign confirms termites. Patterns matter—location, timing, recurrence, and spread. Only licensed professionals can confirm infestations.
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