Early warning signs of termites include hollow-sounding or papery wood, tiny pin-holes in drywall, bubbling or uneven paint, mud tubes along foundations, small pellet piles (frass), and discarded wings near windows. Termites eat wood from the inside out, so surfaces can look normal while hidden galleries spread behind them.
Need a second opinion? Our licensed Good Life Inspections team provides thorough termite inspection services with photo documentation and a clear action plan.
What Does Termite Damage Look Like
- Hollow or papery wood when tapped (baseboards, window/door trim).
- Tiny pin-holes in drywall, sometimes in short lines.
- Bubbling or peeling paint that returns after drying.
- Mud tubes (pencil-thick dirt straws) on foundations, posts, or steps.
- Pellet piles (frass) that look like small, uniform grains (drywood termites).
- Discarded wings near windowsills after a swarm.
5-minute check: tap trim, scan paint and drywall, open/close windows/doors, walk the perimeter and look for mud tubes.
Early Signs of Termite Infestation
Early: hollow wood, a few mud tubes, scattered frass or wings, pin-holes.
Progressing: more bubbling paint, sticking doors/windows, soft floor spots.
Advanced: buckling floors/ceilings, visible honeycombed wood, sagging finishes.
If you see two or more signs or any structural members (joists, sills) involved, seek a professional confirmation soon.
Signs of Termite Damage in Wood
- Hollow sound and paper-thin surface that dents easily.
- Visible honeycomb/maze patterns if a piece splits.
- Damage starts at soil-to-wood joins outdoors (fences, deck steps, pergola feet).
- Furniture can show thin tunnels and frass under or behind pieces.
Drywall Signs of Termites
- Pin-sized holes (entry/exit).
- Bubbling/peeling paint without an active leak.
- Subtle ripples or a “loose” paper feel over hollow spots.
- Fine lines that look like faint maps beneath the paint.
Signs of Termites in Walls
- Clusters of pin-holes and faint tunnel trails.
- Sticking windows/doors from frame warping inside the wall.
- Localized paint bubbles that return in the same spot.
- Mud tubes at the baseboard/floor junction (subterranean termites).
Termites vs. Water Damage vs. Carpenter Ants
- Termites: mud tubes (subterranean), pellet-like frass (drywood), rough galleries, wood breaks in long slivers.
- Water damage: uniformly soft/crumbly, broader stains, no tunnels or pellets.
- Carpenter ants: sawdust-like frass, smooth/sanded galleries, no mud tubes.
Room-by-Room Checklist (3–5 Minutes Each)
- Kitchen/Baths: baseboards near plumbing, toe-kicks, door frames → tap test, check paint.
- Living/Bedrooms: window and slider frames → sticking test; pellets in corners.
- Hall/Stairs: skirting boards and stringers → ripples, hollow sound.
- Garage/Crawl/Exterior: slab edges, posts, sill plates, fence/gate posts, deck steps → mud tubes and soil-to-wood contact.
Good Life Inspections — Inspection & Repair, Start to Finish
Need a trusted local team to confirm what you’re seeing and guide next steps? Good Life Inspections offers photo-documented termite inspection to identify species, map affected areas, and outline priorities. If damage is confirmed, we coordinate termite damage repair to stabilize structure first and restore finishes with matched materials and clear timelines.
FAQs
What are the earliest signs of termites?
Hollow wood, pin-holes in drywall, bubbling paint, mud tubes, pellet piles, and discarded wings.
How do I recognize termite damage in wood?
Look for honeycombed tunnels, a papery surface, and wood that breaks into long slivers.
How do termites show up in drywall?
Pin-holes, faint tunnel lines, and paint blisters that return.
How do I tell termites from water damage?
Water damage is uniformly soft and stained; termites leave galleries, frass, or mud tubes.
Are the wings on my windowsill serious?
Yes—discarded wings signal swarmers nearby. Combine with other signs to confirm.
