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What Every Homeowner Should Know
Termites are one of the most destructive — and most underestimated — threats to a home. They don’t make noise. They don’t announce their presence. They work silently behind walls, beneath floors, and inside structural wood.
By the time visible signs appear, damage may already be extensive.
Termite activity often goes unnoticed for years, quietly compromising structural components and creating repair costs that homeowners never see coming. Most importantly, termite damage is rarely covered by homeowner’s insurance.
Early detection and proactive protection are critical to avoiding costly surprises.
Signs of Termites Homeowners Should Watch For
Mud Tubes
Mud tubes are one of the most common and recognizable signs of subterranean termites.
These tubes look like thin, pencil-sized tunnels made of:
- Dirt
- Wood particles
- Termite saliva
Termites build them to travel between the soil and the wood structure of your home while staying protected from open air and light.
Mud tubes are most often found:
- Along foundation walls
- On crawlspace supports
- Near basement entry points
- Around plumbing penetrations
Even a small mud tube can indicate an active colony nearby.
Hollow or Damaged Wood
Termites feed from the inside out, meaning wood may appear normal on the surface while being severely compromised underneath.
Signs of termite-damaged wood include:
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Soft spots that crumble easily
- Sagging or weakened trim, framing, or flooring
- Doors or windows that suddenly stick (from structural shifting)
Because termites consume wood internally, damage is often well underway before it becomes visible.
Discarded Wings
Paint That Bubbles or Peels
Termite swarmers are reproductive termites that leave the colony to start new ones — usually in spring or after rain.
Swarmers are often confused with flying ants, but termites have:
- Straight antennae
- Equal-sized wings
- Thick, uniform bodies
After swarming, termites shed their wings. You may find small piles of clear or tan wings near:
- Windowsills
- Door frames
- Light fixtures
- Basement or attic areas
Discarded wings indoors are a major red flag and should not be ignored.
Paint That Bubbles or Peels
Paint That Bubbles or Peels
Paint That Bubbles or Peels
Termite activity can create patterns that resemble moisture damage.
As termites tunnel through wood behind walls, they can cause:
- Bubbling paint
- Peeling surfaces
- Warped drywall
- Small blisters in wall coverings
This happens because termite tunnels disturb the surface layer, sometimes trapping moisture or weakening the material underneath.
Homeowners often assume it’s a minor water issue — but termites may be the cause.
Frass (Termite Droppings)
Paint That Bubbles or Peels
Frass (Termite Droppings)
Frass is the term for termite droppings — and it is most commonly associated with drywood termites.
Frass often looks like:
- Tiny wood-colored pellets
- Fine sawdust-like piles
- Small accumulations near baseboards or trim
You may see it around:
- Window frames
- Wooden furniture
- Attics
- Exposed beams
Termites push frass out of small “kick-out holes” as they tunnel, so these piles can be an early clue of hidden activity.
Termites vs. Flying Ants — How to Tell the Difference
One of the most common questions homeowners ask is:
“Are these termites… or just flying ants?”
This is especially important because termite swarmers and flying ants often appear around the same time of year — but the difference matters.
Here are a few simple ways to tell them apart:
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