Termites are quiet. They do not announce themselves with loud sounds or large nests in plain sight. They work inside wood, under floors, and behind trim. By the time damage shows on a surface, activity may have been present for months. This post explains the signs homeowners often miss, why each sign matters, and what to do next. It is for residential homes only, and it is not a substitute for an inspection.
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Mud tubes you walk past
Subterranean termites need moisture. They build mud tubes from soil to wood, so they can travel without drying out. Tubes often run along foundation walls, in crawl spaces, behind siding, and near pipe entries. They look like thin, brown, earthy lines. They can be easy to miss in a dark crawl space, behind stored boxes, or under a porch.
Check foundation walls when you can do so safely. Look near soil lines, near downspouts, and near wood that touches soil. Do not break every tube before an inspection. A provider can tell if a tube is active or old, and can follow it to an entry point. Note the location and take a photo, if safe.
Pellets in a quiet corner
Drywood termites live inside dry wood. They push pellets out through small kickout holes. Pellets collect in tiny piles on window sills, on attic floors, under trim, or on furniture below infested wood. They are small, hard, and often hexagonal. They can look like sand, sawdust, or dirt at first glance.
Homeowners often sweep pellets away without noting where they came from. That loses the clue. If you find a small pile, note the wood above it. Check that wood for small holes, hollow sound, or blistered paint. Do not paint over holes before an inspection. Paint can hide the pattern a provider needs to see.
Discarded wings after a swarm
Swarmers are winged termites that leave a colony to start a new one. After they land, they shed wings. You may find wings on window sills, near doors, near lights, or in spider webs. Wings are thin, clear, and similar in size. A small pile of wings after warm, humid weather can point to a nearby colony.
Wings alone do not prove a colony is inside your home. Swarmers can come from outdoors. Still, wings indoors warrant a check. Note the date, the room, and the window or door where wings appeared. A provider can check nearby wood, attic framing, and foundation areas for other signs.
Hollow wood and blistered paint
Termites eat wood from the inside, leaving a thin outer shell. Tap wood with a screwdriver handle or a knuckle, if you can do so without damaging paint or trim. Hollow sound, soft spots, or wood that crumbles under light pressure can point to internal damage. Blistered or bubbling paint can also point to termite activity below the surface, or to moisture damage. Both need a closer check.
Check door frames, window trim, baseboards, attic framing, and sill plates where you can reach them safely. Do not open walls yourself. Do not probe structural wood in a way that weakens it. Note soft spots and share that list with the provider. A provider can probe more thoroughly and note what needs repair.
Doors and windows that stick
Doors and windows that suddenly stick, or floors that feel uneven, can have many causes. Moisture, settling, and humidity all play a role. Termite damage in frames and subfloors is another possible cause. Homeowners often blame humidity alone, and miss a wood problem that grows over time.
If a door sticks after you also see pellets, wings, or mud tubes, treat that combination as a reason to book an inspection. One sign alone may have a simple cause. Several signs together point to a pattern worth checking.
Signs in attics and crawl spaces
Attics and crawl spaces hide many termite signs, because homeowners visit them rarely. In attics, check framing, rafters, and areas near roof leaks. In crawl spaces, check sill plates, joists, and areas near plumbing leaks. Use a flashlight. Wear gloves and a mask if dust is present. Do not enter a crawl space that feels unsafe, has standing water, or has exposed wiring. Note what you can see from a safe entry point, and let the provider check the rest.
Moisture matters in both areas. Leaks invite subterranean termites and wood decay. Drywood termites do not need soil moisture, but they still favor dry wood in attics. A provider should note moisture sources as well as termite signs, because fixing moisture helps treatment last.
What to do when you find a sign
First, do not panic, and do not disturb the area more than needed. Note the location, the date, and what you saw. Take photos, if safe. Second, avoid do it yourself foggers or sprays for termites. Those products rarely reach colonies inside wood or soil, and they can hide signs a provider needs. Third, book an inspection. Ask what areas the provider will check, what report you will receive, and what limits apply to inaccessible areas.
Ask for species identification. Subterranean and drywood termites need different plans. Ask for extent, as far as it can be seen. Ask for preparation steps, treatment options, and follow up timing. Ask for a total price that names inspection, treatment, and follow up. If the plan calls for whole structure work, consider a second inspection to confirm species and extent before a large job.
What an inspection should give you
A useful inspection report names the species if found, the locations of activity or damage, the extent as far as it can be seen, and the limits of the check. It should note moisture, wood touching soil, and other conditions that invite termites. It should list next steps in plain words. Keep the report. Future providers, repair workers, and buyers will need it.
Termite signs are easy to miss because they are small, quiet, and hidden. Pellets, wings, mud tubes, hollow wood, and sticking doors each tell part of the story. Together, they point to a check worth booking. Use this post to build your note, then speak with a provider about an inspection for your home.
Frequently asked questions
Can termites be active with no visible damage outside?
Yes. Termites eat wood from the inside, so exterior paint and trim can look sound while inner wood is hollow. Check attic framing, sill areas, and trim by tapping and probing soft spots. A visual check of accessible wood, plus a written report, gives a clearer picture than a look at one wall.
What do termite pellets look like?
Drywood termite pellets are tiny, hard, and often hexagonal in shape, with a sandy or sawdust like look. They collect in small piles near kickout holes in wood. Do not confuse pellets with general dust or sawdust from repairs. Note the location and take a photo, if safe, for the inspector.
Are discarded wings a termite sign?
Yes, discarded wings near windows, doors, or light fixtures after a swarm can point to termites. Swarmers shed wings after they land and seek a nest site. Wings alone do not prove an active colony inside your home, but they warrant a check of nearby wood, attic framing, and foundation areas.
When should I book a termite inspection?
Book a check when you see pellets, wings, mud tubes, hollow wood, or blistered paint, or when you buy or sell a home with older wood. Book sooner if you see swarmers indoors. A provider can explain what areas it can check, what limits apply, and what report you will receive.
Common questions
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Can termites be active with no visible damage outside? | Yes. Termites eat wood from the inside, so exterior paint and trim can look sound while inner wood is hollow. Check attic framing, sill areas, and trim by tapping and probing soft spots. A visual check of accessible wood, plus a written report, gives a clearer picture than a look at one wall. |
| What do termite pellets look like? | Drywood termite pellets are tiny, hard, and often hexagonal in shape, with a sandy or sawdust like look. They collect in small piles near kickout holes in wood. Do not confuse pellets with general dust or sawdust from repairs. Note the location and take a photo, if safe, for the inspector. |
| Are discarded wings a termite sign? | Yes, discarded wings near windows, doors, or light fixtures after a swarm can point to termites. Swarmers shed wings after they land and seek a nest site. Wings alone do not prove an active colony inside your home, but they warrant a check of nearby wood, attic framing, and foundation areas. |
| When should I book a termite inspection? | Book a check when you see pellets, wings, mud tubes, hollow wood, or blistered paint, or when you buy or sell a home with older wood. Book sooner if you see swarmers indoors. A provider can explain what areas it can check, what limits apply, and what report you will receive. |