Signs of Possible Termite Activity
Visual / Obvious Signs:
- Mud tubes (shelter tubes)
Pencil-width tunnels on foundation walls, joists, crawl spaces, or basement walls - Damaged or hollow-sounding wood
Wood sounds thin or papery when tapped - Blistering or bubbling paint
Often mistaken for water damage - Discarded wings
Found near windows, doors, or light sources after a swarm - Live swarmers (flying termites)
Usually seen in spring in the Midwest (including Nebraska/Iowa region) - Frass (termite droppings)(more common with drywood termites)
Small pellet piles that look like sawdust or coffee grounds - Tight-fitting doors or windows
Caused by moisture buildup from termite activity - Buckling or sagging floors/ceilings
Structural weakening from internal damage - Maze-like patterns in wood
Galleries inside wood (subterranean termites pack with mud)
Subtle/ Hidden Signs (Often Missed):
- Pinholes in drywall or wood
- Faint clicking sounds in walls (soldiers tapping or workers chewing)
- Uneven or rippling wallpaper
- Hairline cracks in drywall near wood structures
- Soft spots in flooring
- Baseboards that crumble easily
- Slight dirt lines inside cracks or seams
- Increased insect activity around lights (during swarm season)
Advanced / Severe Infestation Indicators:
- Structural wood collapses when probed
- Visible interior mud packing inside walls
- Extensive tunneling in support beams
- Noticeable sagging rooflines or floors
- Repeated swarm events year after year
