Signs Your Home Might Have Termites

Termites are tiny but powerful creatures that can destroy your house from the inside out. In the United States, termites cause approximately $5 billion in damage yearly to homeowners and landlords.

Deterring termites from your property is possible with a few preventative measures. While you may not always be able to prevent termites, you can learn how to spot an infestation growing on your property. Timely detection of termites can minimize the damage and repair costs. 

The following are signs of termite infestation.

Mud Tubes

Mud tubes are long, narrow tunnels that spread like veins and are often made from soil and termite droppings. The tubes start on the ground and run towards a source of food.

Mud tubes are mostly a sign of subterranean termite activity. To survive, subterranean termites need a certain level of humidity and temperature. The tunnels termites build block out cool, dry air, making your home the perfect environment for them to thrive.

You can easily spot mud tubes with your naked eye. Often, you can spot the tubes over concrete home foundations, between wall or floor cracks, or on any exposed surface.

Swarmers & Discarded Wings

A termite's caste system includes workers, soldiers, and swarmers. The termite swarmer, also known as alate, is the reproductive member of the colony.

The two pairs of pale-colored wings can easily distinguish a swarmer. When a swarmer leaves a colony and finds a mate, it sheds its wings.

Only after a colony reaches a certain size and weather conditions become optimal do termites swarm. But all swarmer termites tend to swarm after rain showers at night or during the day.

Light and warmth attract swarming termites. Therefore, you can find piles of discarded wings near lights, windows, or doors.

Stuck Windows or Doors

The feel of a window or door becoming stuck or suddenly becoming difficult to open or close can be an early warning sign of a termite infestation.

Wood that is easily accessible, such as windows and doorframes, is a common target of termites. Termites produce moisture while eating and tunneling through window and door frames, which causes the wood to warp. When the wood warps, opening and closing the infested doors and windows becomes difficult.

Hollow or Blistering Wood

An additional sign of termite activity is wood damage. Termites usually consume wood from the inside out to remain invisible.



Termites eat all or part of the timber inside, leaving only a thin external layer of wood or just the paint. When you knock or tap on termite-damaged wood, it makes a hollow or papery sound. 

Wood damage is most likely to occur in areas where wood contacts the ground. The areas include door frames, deck posts, porch steps, and structural supports.

Termites can also damage laminate flooring and baseboards. Depending on the extent of the damage, affected flooring may blister or sag. The floor may also feel spongy and squeak more than usual.

Termites are notorious for hiding, so you may not always realize that you have an infestation until damage occurs. If you find signs of termite infestation, call for professional help as soon as possible to remove the insects.

If you believe you may have a termite infestation, contact Pass Pest Control today to arrange an inspection.