7 Warning Signs of Termites in Your Home

Termites are often called "silent destroyers," and the name is earned — the National Pest Management Association estimates they cause around $5 billion in property damage across the U.S. every year, much of it before homeowners ever notice. The earlier you catch them, the less damage and expense you'll face, so knowing what to look for is one of the smartest things a Southern California homeowner can do. Here are the seven Warning Signs of Termites worth watching for.

7 Warning Signs of Termites in Your Home (and What to Do Next)

1. Pellet-Like Droppings (Frass)

Drywood termites push their waste out of small holes in the wood, leaving little piles of dry, six-sided pellets that look like sand, sawdust, or coffee grounds. If you keep finding these mysterious piles near baseboards, windowsills, or under wooden furniture, frass is a strong sign of an active drywood infestation.

2. Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites build pencil-width tunnels of soil and saliva to travel from the ground into your home while staying protected from dry air. Check your foundation, exterior walls, piers, and crawlspace for these mud tubes — they're the clearest sign of subterranean termite activity. (Not sure which type you're seeing?

Our guide to drywood vs. subterranean termites breaks down the difference.)

3. Discarded Wings

When termites swarm to start new colonies, the reproductive members shed their wings shortly after. Finding small piles of identical, translucent wings near windows, doors, or light fixtures is a classic early warning that a colony is nearby.

4. Swarmers

You might also catch the swarmers themselves — winged termites emerging in groups. In Southern California, subterranean termites tend to swarm in spring, often after rain, while drywood termites usually swarm in late summer and fall, frequently in the evening near lights. They're easy to mistake for flying ants, so see the next section for how to tell the difference.

5. Hollow-Sounding or Blistered Wood

Termites eat wood from the inside out, so the surface can look intact while the interior is hollowed. Tap or press on suspect wood — trim, framing, window frames — and listen for a hollow, papery sound, or look for blistered, rippled surfaces. Both point to damage underneath.

6. Doors and Windows That Suddenly Stick

When termites damage the wood in frames, or their activity introduces moisture, doors and windows can warp just enough to start sticking or jamming. A door that suddenly won't close right isn't always humidity — it's worth a closer look.

7. Bubbling or Uneven Paint

Paint that bubbles, blisters, or looks uneven for no obvious reason can indicate termite activity or moisture damage just beneath the surface. It's easy to overlook, but combined with any of the other signs, it's a reason to investigate.

Termites or Flying Ants? How to Tell

Because swarmers are so easily confused with flying ants, here's the quick distinction. Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a thick, straight waist, and two pairs of wings that are equal in length. Flying ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist, and front wings noticeably longer than the back pair. If you're unsure, save a few in a bag — it helps an inspector confirm the species.

Where to Look in Your Home

Termites favor specific areas, so focus your check on the attic and roof framing, eaves and fascia, around windows and doors, the garage, the foundation and exterior walls, and the crawlspace if you have one. Anywhere wood meets soil, or where there's moisture, deserves extra attention.

What to Do Next

If you spot any of these signs, resist the urge to disturb the area or treat it with store-bought sprays — that can scatter the colony and make professional treatment harder. The right move is a professional inspection to confirm whether you have termites, which species, and how far they've spread.

Termike uses FLIR thermal-camera inspection to find activity hidden inside walls and framing, not just what's visible on the surface — and treatment is then matched to the situation, whether that's drywood or subterranean termite treatment, fumigation, or another approach outlined on our termite treatment page. Qualifying treatments are backed by a 3-year guarantee, with free re-treatment if termites return.

A little prevention helps too: fix plumbing and irrigation leaks, keep soil and mulch from contacting wood siding, store firewood away from the house, and improve drainage and ventilation in damp areas — all of which make your home less inviting to termites.

Frequently Asked Questions about Warning Signs of Termites

How do I know if termite damage is serious?

Signs like sagging or bouncy floors, doors and windows that stick, and widespread hollow-sounding wood can point to structural damage. A professional inspection — especially one using thermal imaging — determines the true extent, since much of it is hidden.

How often should I have my home inspected for termites?

For most Southern California homes, a professional termite inspection every year or two is reasonable — and sooner if you notice any of the signs above or are buying or selling a home.

Are flying termites dangerous?

Swarmers don't bite or sting and aren't harmful to people, but their presence signals an active or nearby colony — which is the real concern and a reason to schedule an inspection.

Caught one of these signs in your home? Call Termike at (888) 683-3592 or schedule your free inspection. With over 20 years serving Southern California, we'll find the source and stop it before the damage grows.