Top Signs You Need Professional Termite Control ASAP

Ever noticed strange pinholes in your walls or heard odd tapping sounds at night? Most people don’t immediately think “termites,” but those little signs could point to a much bigger problem quietly unfolding behind your walls.

Termites aren’t just annoying. They’re destructive. And by the time you actually see them, they’ve often been working away for months, sometimes years. That’s why knowing what to look out for matters.

Here are the key signs that it’s time to stop guessing and call in the professionals before termites turn your home into their next meal.

You’ve Spotted Swarmers Inside

Swarmers are flying termites. They show up in spring or early summer, especially after rain, and are a big red flag.

If you’re seeing them inside your home—around windows, near lights, or even in the sink—it likely means there’s a termite colony nearby. Or worse, already in the house. These winged termites leave their original nest to start new ones, and their presence indoors almost always points to an active infestation.

Keep in mind, people often confuse them with flying ants. The differences are subtle to the untrained eye, so don’t take any chances. Instead, get in touch with experts like OMNI Pest Solutions before the issue gets out of hand!

Discarded Wings Around Windows or Doors

Even if you don’t catch the swarmers in action, their wings give them away.

Termites shed their wings after landing and finding a new spot to colonize. You’ll usually find tiny piles of what look like fish scales around window sills, door frames, vents, or any area where light seeps through. This is one of the earliest and most noticeable signs.

Ignore it, and you risk letting them settle in and get to work.

Hollow-Sounding Wood or Papery Walls

Take a screwdriver or even your knuckles and tap along a wooden surface that seems “off.” If it sounds hollow, it might be more than just aging material.

Termites eat wood from the inside out. So while everything might look normal on the surface, the internal structure could be completely hollowed. Walls may start to feel soft, and floors might give underfoot more than usual.

This isn’t just a structural issue—it’s a safety hazard.

Mud Tubes Along Walls or Foundations

Subterranean termites, the most common type, build mud tubes for moisture and protection as they travel between their colony and your home.

These pencil-width tubes are often found along the foundation, in crawl spaces, or even on interior walls if the infestation is well established. They’re made from a mix of soil, wood, and termite saliva.

If you find them, don’t break them and walk away. They’ll rebuild quickly. Take it as a definite sign to get professional help immediately.

Paint That’s Bubbling or Peeling

Bubbling or peeling paint can mimic water damage, so it’s easy to brush off. But it can also be a termite issue.

When termites eat away at the wood beneath a painted surface, moisture builds up. This trapped moisture can cause paint to blister or bubble. If your walls start to look uneven or cracked without any obvious water leak, termites might be to blame.

Tight-Fitting Doors or Windows

If your doors or windows suddenly feel stiff or difficult to open, it might not just be humidity.

As termites eat away at the wood, they cause it to warp. That slight swelling can throw off how doors and windows fit into their frames. When paired with other warning signs, this subtle change in structure can point to a growing infestation.

Frass – Termite Droppings

Drywood termites, in particular, leave behind small piles of droppings known as frass. It looks like sawdust or coffee grounds and is usually found near the entrance to their tunnels.

Unlike other signs, frass is dry and crumbly. Finding it indoors means termites have chewed through wood and are pushing the waste out of tiny kick-out holes.

This is one of the clearest indicators that termites are active inside your home.

Damaged or Sagging Flooring

Termite damage doesn’t just stick to walls and beams. It can also affect hardwood floors, laminate, or even carpets placed over wooden subfloors.

You might notice areas that sag, feel unusually soft, or seem to dip under weight. In more severe cases, tiles might loosen as the structure beneath breaks down.

If you’ve ruled out plumbing issues or foundation shifts, termites should be next on the list.

Clicking or Tapping Noises

It sounds strange, but termites do make noise.

Soldier termites tap their heads against the wood to signal danger to the colony. Worker termites also make quiet chewing sounds as they eat. While it’s unlikely you’ll hear this during the day, some people report faint clicking or rustling noises at night, especially when the house is quiet.

So if something sounds off, trust your ears.

Your Neighbors Had an Infestation

Termites don’t respect property lines. If a nearby home had a recent infestation, it’s not unreasonable to think yours could be next.

They can travel underground, and once one property is affected, neighboring homes are automatically at higher risk. Even if you haven’t seen any signs yet, a proactive inspection might save you serious damage later.

Time to Take It Seriously

Termites are stealthy, but the damage they cause is anything but subtle. They cost homeowners billions each year in repairs, and the worst part? Most of it starts small and goes unnoticed for too long.

If any of the signs above sound familiar, don’t wait it out or assume it’ll go away. A thorough professional inspection can confirm what’s happening behind the scenes and stop things from getting worse.

Ignoring early signs could mean major repairs later, not to mention the stress that comes with unexpected structural issues.

When it comes to termites, acting early is the smartest move you can make.