Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage each year, often without homeowners noticing until it’s too late. But if you know the early red flags, you can catch an infestation before major repairs are needed. Here are the five unmistakable signs of termites and how to tell them apart from look-alikes.
Quick ID Chart: 5 Signs of Termites
| Sign | Where You’ll See It | How to Confirm | Likely Species |
| Swarmers & Wings | Windows, doors, lights, sills | Equal-length wings; straight antennae | Subterranean/Drywood |
| Mud Tubes | Foundation, crawl space, slabs | Break and recheck repair | Subterranean |
| Hollow/Blistered Wood | Floors, trim, joists | Tap or probe; note mud vs pellets | Subterranean/Drywood |
| Bubbling Paint | Painted wood surfaces | Pair with other signs; inspect moisture | Various |
| Frass (Pellets) | Beneath kick-out holes | Six-sided ridged pellets | Drywood |
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Swarmers and Discarded Wings
If you spot winged termites (swarmers) flying indoors—or piles of delicate wings near windowsills, doors, or lights—it’s often the first and only visible clue.
- How to confirm: Termite wings are equal in length and their antennae are straight, unlike ants, which have longer front wings and elbowed antennae.
- Severity: High. Swarmers signal a mature colony nearby.
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Mud Tubes: Termite Highways
Subterranean termites build pencil-thin mud tubes from soil to wood, protecting themselves from predators and dryness. You’ll often find them along foundations, crawl spaces, or behind baseboards.
- How to confirm: Break a section of the tube. If termites are active, they’ll repair it within days.
- Look-alike to avoid: Mud dauber wasp tubes, which don’t connect soil to wood.
- Severity: High—mud tubes are a classic sign of active infestation.
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Hollow or Blistered Wood
When termites feed inside wood, they leave a thin, papery shell on the outside. Tap wood surfaces—if they sound hollow or break easily, termites may be inside. Severe cases show blistering or peeling surfaces.
- Subterranean termites leave soil-speckled galleries.
- Drywood termites create smooth, pellet-filled tunnels.
- Severity: High. Structural integrity may already be compromised.
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Bubbling or Uneven Paint
Bubbling or blistered paint on wood surfaces often points to moisture buildup, which termites thrive on. While it could be just water damage, paired with wings, tubes, or frass, it’s a strong red flag.
- Severity: Moderate to high depending on other signs.
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Frass (Termite Droppings)
Drywood termites leave behind tiny six-sided pellets called frass, which look like sand, coffee grounds, or pepper. They accumulate in small mounds beneath pinholes in wood.
- How to confirm: Clean up the pellets and check back—if they return, it’s active.
- Look-alikes: Powdery beetle dust or carpenter ant sawdust.
- Severity: High. Drywood infestations can spread widely within walls.
Termite Look-Alikes to Avoid
- Flying ants vs termites: Ants = longer front wings, elbowed antennae. Termites = equal wings, straight antennae.
- Carpenter ants: Leave fibrous sawdust, not pellets.
- Wood-boring beetles: Leave flour-like or gritty dust, not six-sided droppings.
DIY Checks Before Calling a Pro
- Break mud tubes, mark the spot, and recheck for repairs.
- Tap wood systematically for hollow sounds.
- Clean frass piles, then monitor for reappearance.
- Photograph suspicious areas for a pest inspector.
⚠️ Important: Most chemical treatments are professional-only. DIY methods are rarely safe or effective.
Prevention Playbook
- Fix leaks, clear gutters, and ventilate crawl spaces.
- Keep soil and mulch below siding; avoid wood-to-ground contact.
- Seal cracks and utility gaps.
- Schedule annual inspections (more often in warm, humid climates).
FAQs
What are the first signs of termites?
Discarded wings, mud tubes, or hollow wood are usually the earliest visible clues.
Are termites only active in spring?
No—though many swarms in spring, termites remain active year-round in warm regions.
What do termite droppings look like?
Dry wood pellets are tiny, six-sided, and gritty, unlike fine sawdust.
Can I treat termites myself?
No—EPA recommends hiring licensed professionals for safety and effectiveness.
Final Call-to-Action
If you find mud tubes, discarded wings, or piles of frass, don’t wait. Call a licensed termite professional, request a written treatment plan, and verify state licensing before work begins.
Protecting your home starts with early detection—and now you know the signs
