February 3, 2026 · Dale Whitfield
5 Signs of Termite Damage Homeowners Miss
Termite damage rarely announces itself. Here's what to check around your home before small problems become expensive ones.
Termite colonies can work behind your walls for years before damage becomes obvious. A few checks around the house can catch it early.
1. Mud tubes along the foundation
Pencil-width tubes running up your foundation or crawlspace piers are subterranean termites’ travel routes between the soil and your home’s wood framing.
2. Wood that sounds hollow
Tap on exposed framing or trim. Wood that sounds papery or hollow instead of solid has likely been hollowed out from the inside.
3. Discarded wings near windows and doors
Swarmers shed their wings after finding a new nesting site. A pile of translucent wings on a windowsill is a strong signal of a nearby colony.
4. Tight-fitting doors and windows
Termite activity releases moisture into wood, causing frames to swell and doors or windows to stick.
5. Paint that looks bubbled or cracked
Moisture from termite activity can push through paint the same way water damage does, leaving small bubbles or cracks in an otherwise healthy-looking wall.
If any of this looks familiar, a full inspection is worth scheduling before the next swarm season. See our termite control plan for what that inspection covers.