7 Early Signs You Have Termites (And What To Do Next)
Termites hide behind drywall for years. Here are the earliest warning signs — and the free steps you can take today.
Termites cause more damage to U.S. homes each year than fires, floods, and hurricanes combined — and most of it happens quietly, behind drywall, for years before homeowners notice.
The good news: termites almost always leave subtle signs before major damage is visible. Learn to spot them and you can save thousands.
1. Mud tubes on your foundation
Subterranean termites build pencil-thick mud tubes from the soil up onto foundation walls, piers, and slab edges. Walk your foundation once a season and look for them.
2. Discarded wings near windowsills
Termite reproductives ("swarmers") shed their wings after their brief mating flight. Small piles of translucent wings on windowsills or in spider webs are a strong sign of an active colony nearby.
3. Hollow-sounding wood
Tap suspect trim, door frames, or baseboards with the back of a screwdriver. Termite-eaten wood sounds hollow because they eat from the inside out.
4. Frass (termite droppings)
Drywood termites push tiny pellet-shaped droppings out of their galleries. Small piles that look like coffee grounds under a windowsill are classic drywood evidence.
5. Bubbling or blistering paint
Termite galleries just under a painted surface push moisture up and cause the paint to bubble in a distinctive pattern.
6. Doors and windows that suddenly stick
Termite activity can distort wood frames just enough to make doors bind. Sudden new sticking, especially in humid seasons, is worth an inspection.
7. Ceiling or floor sagging
Advanced infestations weaken structural members. If your floor feels spongy in one spot, do not wait — get an inspection.
What to do next
Most local termite pros offer free inspections. Confirm identification first (subterranean vs. drywood matters), get 2–3 quotes, and ask about warranty and follow-up monitoring.