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Early warning signs of termites

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The early signs are small and easy to explain away. That is why they get missed.

The early signs are quiet

Termites eat timber from the inside, so the first signs are rarely a hole. They are small things: a few wings on a windowsill, a thin brown line on a wall, a door that suddenly sticks. Each one has an innocent explanation, which is how colonies get years of free feeding.

Learn the signs below. If you see any of them, do not poke at it. Photograph it and book an inspection.

Discarded wings

Winged termites (alates) leave the colony in a swarm, often after warm, humid weather. They shed their wings soon after landing. A small pile of identical, paper-thin wings on a sill, near a light or in a spider web is one of the clearest early signs.

Swarmers inside the house are a stronger warning than swarmers outside. It can mean the colony is in the building.

Mud tubes

Many species build narrow tubes of soil along foundations, piers, brickwork and walls. They keep the workers moist and hidden while they travel. See mud tubes and why you must not break them for what they look like and what they mean.

Do not break a tube to see whether it is active. That is the single most common way people make the problem harder to find.

Timber that sounds or feels wrong

  • Skirting boards, architraves or door frames that sound hollow or papery when you tap them.
  • Timber that gives under light pressure, or a floor that feels spongy in one spot.
  • Fine cracks, ripples or a blistered look along a timber surface.

Termites often leave a thin layer of wood or paint intact, so the surface can look sound while the inside is gone.

Doors, windows and paint

Doors and windows that start to stick can mean the frame has swollen from moisture, or been distorted by termite activity. Bubbling or peeling paint on a wall, with no obvious damp source, is another sign.

Neither of these proves termites. Both are reasons to look closer, and the cause may be moisture alone. That is still worth fixing, because damp timber is what termites like.

Frass and tiny pellets

Some timber-eating pests push small pellets out of tiny holes. The detail matters, because pellets can point to drywood termites or to borers, which are different problems. Termite droppings explains how to read them.

What to do next

Stop, photograph it and leave it as it is. Note the date, the room and the position. Then book a licensed timber pest inspection and show the inspector your photos.

Do not spray, do not break tubes, and do not drill to look inside. A disturbed colony can abandon that route and return somewhere hidden, and any spray destroys the evidence. If you want a structured way to record what you found, our termite check walks through it.

Frequently asked questions

What are the first signs of termites?

Discarded wings, mud tubes, hollow-sounding timber, doors that stick and bubbling paint are the usual early signs. Any of them is a reason for an inspection.

Can I confirm termites myself?

You can note and photograph what you see, but confirming the pest and the extent needs a licensed inspector. Do not break tubes or timber to check.

Are discarded wings always termites?

They are a strong sign, especially inside the house. Ants also shed wings, so have an inspector confirm what they are.

What should I do if I notice an early sign?

Do not touch or spray it. Photograph it and book a licensed timber pest inspection.

Sources

What this page explains is based on these official sources. If you check one and it does not match what you read here, send it to us and the article gets corrected.

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