Termites guide
Signs of Termites: What to Look for Before Damage Spreads
Learn how swarmers, wings, mud tubes, frass, and wood changes can signal termite activity—and what each clue does and does not prove.
Last updated September 20, 2026.
Five clues worth investigating
Discarded wings, live swarmers, mud tubes, pellet-like frass, and wood that sounds hollow are all useful evidence. None should be viewed alone: moisture damage, beetles, and flying ants can create look-alike symptoms.
Where to check
Look without breaking finishes around window sills, eaves, garage framing, foundation edges, attics, crawl spaces, and places with persistent moisture. Preserve a sample or clear photo when safe.
What to do next
Avoid spraying or opening a suspected gallery before inspection. Note the exact location and date, then request a termite assessment that distinguishes current activity from old damage.
What one clue can—and can’t—tell you
A pile of wings may mark a recent swarm, but it doesn’t reveal the colony’s full location. Frass can point toward drywood termite galleries, while mud tubes suggest protected travel from soil. The surrounding wood, moisture, and construction details still need to be considered together.
Before you clean or repair the area
Take close and wide photos so the evidence can be tied to a window, eave, foundation edge, or other feature. Save loose wings or insects in a sealed container when safe. Hold off on painting, spraying, or opening the wood until it has been assessed.
When an inspection is the sensible next step
Fresh swarmers, new mud tubes, recurring pellets, or unexplained wood changes deserve a closer look. An inspection can separate current activity from old damage and show which parts of the structure are accessible before anyone discusses treatment.
What to do next
Record what you see before cleaning or applying a product. If the evidence keeps returning, could involve damage, or is difficult to identify, compare it with the termites identification guide. The related termite control page explains inspection and service considerations.