Termites damage about $600,000 homes in the U.S. every year. And homeowners spend approximately $5 billion every year to pay for termite damage. Determining signs of termites is almost impossible unless you have a full-scale infestation. While it is crucial for termites to be taken care of through termite inspection, understanding what to look out for will be advantageous for homeowners.

Here are some areas in your home you should pay attention to for termite activity:

When it comes to termites, early detection is everything. A good inspection doesn’t just tick boxes—it’s a careful walk-through of the places termites love to hide and the signs they leave behind.

Start Outside

We begin by circling the home’s exterior—checking the foundation, patios, decks, fences, and anywhere wood touches the ground. Mud tubes, those narrow dirt tunnels termites build for travel, are a big red flag here.

Wood-to-Soil Trouble Spots

Fence posts, deck supports, garden edging, and wooden trellises are all common entry points. If wood touches soil, termites can get in without being noticed.

Moisture Magnets

Leaky spigots, clogged gutters, poor drainage—anything that leaves damp soil or standing water near the house can draw termites in. Shaded areas with little airflow are especially risky.

Hidden Areas

Basements, crawl spaces, and even attics get a close look. We check for mud tubes, damaged beams, or signs from any monitoring stations.

Inside the Home

This is part detective work, part experience. Tapping along baseboards, door frames, and floors can reveal hollow spots. Other signs include blistering paint, buckled wallpaper, tiny holes in wood, or piles of frass (fine, wood-colored droppings). Discarded wings near windows or doors often mean a swarm has passed through.

Evidence to Watch For

• Mud tubes inside or outside, especially near the foundation
• Hollow or chewed wood
• Discarded wings in corners or sills
• Blistered paint or wallpaper
• Mud packed into joints or plaster cracks
• Frass or small “kickout holes”
• Damp patches that may signal hidden damage

Beyond the House

Nearby sheds, wood piles, old stumps, and landscape timbers are checked—termites often start here before moving toward the house.

Entry Points

Even the smallest gaps matter. We inspect plumbing penetrations, utility entry points, and cracks in the foundation.

Termite Monitoring

Some properties have bait stations outside. These are checked for signs of activity.

The Final Report

Everything, from damage to areas we couldn’t reach—is documented, with clear recommendations for treatment or repairs if needed.

4 Things Exterminators Check During Termite Inspections:

1. Evidence of Swarmers

   The most prominent varieties of termites in the U.S. are subterranean termites. Established termite colonies produce winged, mature adults called alates. They fly off once they mature to create their own nests once the spring sets in. All alates are released at once in swarms that scatter immediately. If you find multiple winged termites in your home, chances are there are termite nests near your home and it’s feeding off your wood.

2.  Mud Tubes

   Subterranean termites create mud tubes that function as bridges between their colony and the wood they feed on. These tubes are created from minute pieces of wood, soil, and debris that conserve moisture and protect the colony from predators.

3. Mud in Construction Joints

   Termites is a great little builder that seals small gaps using soil to create a protected layer as they may their way to your home. You may not find tubes and instead crushed dirt near the hinges of your doors. This is still a sign of the presence of termites finding their way to the nearest piece of wooden furniture.

4. Wood in Your Landscape
   

   While this may not be the perfect indicator of termite presence in your home, making sure you look out for these signs will be an added advantage during a termite inspection.

Contact us today to get a termite inspection report for your property.