Signs of termite damage in your home

Termites are silent destroyers that can cause significant damage to homes before their presence is even noticed. These wood-eating pests can weaken a building's structural integrity, potentially leading to costly repairs. Some of the earliest signs of termites may include discarded wings, mud tubes along foundations, or wood that sounds hollow when tapped. If left unchecked, termites can spread quickly, making early detection crucial.

If you suspect termites in your house, don’t wait until the damage worsens. Ehrlich’s termite control experts are here to help with professional inspections and customized treatment solutions. Schedule your free termite inspection today!

Termite symptoms

While some signs, like discarded wings or mud tubes, are visible, others—such as hollowed-out wood or subtle noises inside walls—can go unnoticed for months. It’s important to note that it’s possible, and common, to have termites without seeing them because they tend to hide in walls, floors, and structural beams. While termites don't pose a direct health risk to humans, staying in a home with an active infestation can lead to costly structural damage if left untreated. 

Some of the most common signs of termites include: 

• Swarmers
• Discarded wings
• Hollow or blistering wood 
• Frass (termite droppings)
• Mud tubes 
• Tight-fitting doors and hard-to-open windows
• Headbanging or chewing noises 
• Small holes in wood 

Early detection is key, whether you’re dealing with subterranean, drywood, or another termite species. Ehrlich’s termite control experts provide professional inspections and treatments to help protect your home.

Swarmers (flying termites) 

Swarmers are often the first visible sign of termites. These winged termites emerge in large groups, leaving their nests to mate and establish new colonies—potentially in or near your home.

Different termite species swarm at varying times. Some are drawn to light and swarm at night, while others are active during the day. Drywood termites, in particular, tend to swarm after rainfall during specific times of the year. Spotting swarmers indoors is an indication of an active infestation.

Discarded wings

Discarded wings that are left behind are another visible sign of termites in your house. After swarmers take flight and settle in a new location, they shed their wings. If termites have infested your home, you may find small piles of these wings near windows, doors, or along your home's foundation—both indoors and outdoors.

Hollow or blistering wood

Blistering or hollow-sounding wood is a common sign of termites, as they eat wood from the inside out, leaving only a thin outer layer. Tapping on damaged areas may produce a hollow or papery sound. This is because part or all of the timber inside has been eaten away. You may also see unexplained cracks on internal walls.

Termites can also damage laminate flooring and baseboards. In affected areas, the flooring may blister and sag. Checking underneath the flooring may help uncover termite activity. Additionally, even if you have a brick home, termites can still cause damage as they can still access wooden frames and other cellulose-based materials in your home.

Frass (termite droppings)

How do you know if you have termites? Another tell-tale sign of drywood termites is frass. Frass is wood-colored termite droppings and can be confused with sawdust by the untrained eye. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites don’t use their feces to build their tunnels. Instead, they push it out of small holes near the entrances to their nest.

Mud tubes

Mud tubes are the most common sign of subterranean termite activity. They are attached to structures, typically near the foundation, and used to travel between the soil and a food source. They are easy to spot with the naked eye. Subterranean termites typically build these tubes, which are made of soil and termite droppings to provide moisture.

Tight-fitting doors and hard-to-open windows

While stiff windows and warped doors are often associated with hot and humid weather, they can also be a sign of termites. As termites tunnel through wooden doors and window frames, they produce moisture that can cause the wood to expand and warp.

Headbanging or chewing noises

You may have termites in your house if you hear quiet clicking sounds coming from the walls. Termites are sensitive creatures and can detect vibrations and noises using several organs, which are found at the base of their antennae and on the tibia (one of the segments of the leg). Soldier termites bang their heads against the wood or shake their bodies when the colony is disturbed to signal danger to the other termites. The worker termites, the ones who love eating your woodwork, are noisy eaters. If you put your ear close to any wood infested by termites, you may hear them munching away.

Termite holes in wood

One of the most common signs of drywood termites is seeing tiny, round holes drilled into the wood. When termites swarm to form new colonies, the swarmers will depart their nest, creating exit holes.

Termite exit holes are typically no larger than one-eighth of an inch. After the swarmer leaves the nests, the nymphs within the nest will use a paste made of frass to plug the holes. These termite holes typically need to be identified by a termite exterminator.

Termite prevention and treatment

Preventing termites starts with making your home less inviting to them. Here are a few key steps you can take:

• Eliminate moisture – Fix leaks, ensure proper drainage, and reduce humidity in crawl spaces and basements.
• Remove wood-to-soil contact – Keep firewood, lumber, and mulch away from your home’s foundation.
• Seal entry points – Close off cracks and gaps around utility lines, vents, and the foundation.
• Schedule regular inspections – A professional can detect early signs of termites before they cause serious damage.

If termites are already present, our experts may use one or more of the following treatment methods, depending on the type of termite and contract purchased, including bait stations, liquid treatments, fumigation, and spot treatments. Termites will not go away on their own, so if you suspect termites in your home, professional intervention is necessary to eliminate them completely.

Worried about termite damage?

How do you know if you have termites? Ehrlich’s termite control experts can spot signs of termites around your home, determine which type of termite is present, and choose the best treatment method. Since most insurance policies do not cover termite damage, it is a good idea to have a regular professional inspection to detect termite infestation as early as possible to help minimize the risk of costly damage. 

Contact us today for more information or to schedule your free termite inspection!