Signs of Termites in Your Home: Droppings, Damage and What to Check
Termites rarely show themselves. They stay inside wood, walls and soil, out of the light. By the time most homeowners notice them, they have been feeding for months or years. The good news is that termites leave clues, and if you know where to look you can catch them early.
This is the checklist we use when we look at a Vallejo home for termites, written so you can do a first pass yourself.
Found something that looks like termite damage? Call (707) 000-0000 to book a termite inspection.
The 9 most common signs of termites
1. Termite droppings (frass)
Drywood termites push their droppings out of small holes in the wood. They pile up below in little heaps.
- What they look like: tiny, hard, oval pellets, about the size of a grain of sand or a little bigger. Under a magnifier they have six flat sides.
- Color: they vary with the wood, from light tan to dark brown or black.
- Where to look: windowsills, the floor under door frames and baseboards, attic floors under rafters, under eaves, on top of furniture.
Many people mistake them for sawdust, coffee grounds or dirt. If the pile comes back after you clean it up, that is active termites.
2. Mud tubes
Subterranean termites build pencil-width tunnels of soil and saliva to travel from the ground into your home.
- Where to look: foundation walls inside and out, crawl space posts and piers, the back of the garage, behind the water heater and where the stucco meets the foundation.
- Test: break a small section open. If it is rebuilt in a few days, or you see small pale insects inside, the colony is active.
3. Discarded wings
Swarmer termites drop their wings soon after landing. Piles of identical, see-through wings near windows, doors, light fixtures or in spider webs are a strong sign. See flying termites vs flying ants to tell them apart.
4. Swarmers
Seeing winged termites inside your home, especially after the first fall rain or on a warm, sunny fall afternoon, usually means a colony nearby.
5. Hollow-sounding wood
Tap on baseboards, window frames, door frames and exposed beams with a screwdriver handle. Termite-damaged wood often sounds hollow or papery.
6. Small holes in wood
Drywood termites make tiny round kick-out holes, often sealed with a dark patch, which they use to push out droppings.
7. Bubbling or peeling paint
Termites feeding just under a painted surface can cause paint to bubble, blister or look water-damaged.
8. Doors and windows that stick
Termite damage, and the moisture subterranean termites bring with them, can warp frames so doors and windows suddenly stick.
9. Damaged or sagging wood
Soft spots in floors, buckling floorboards, sagging ceilings or wood that crumbles when you press it can be signs of advanced damage.
Drywood vs subterranean termite signs
The signs tell you which termite you have, and that decides the treatment.
| Sign | Drywood termites | Subterranean termites |
|---|---|---|
| Pellet droppings | Yes, in piles below wood | No |
| Mud tubes | No | Yes |
| Damage inside wood | Smooth, clean tunnels | Layered tunnels packed with soil |
| Where damage starts | Attic, eaves, window frames, fascia, furniture | Foundation, crawl space, floor joists, sill plates |
| Swarm timing in Vallejo | Sunny days, late summer to fall | After first fall rain, warm spring days after rain |
Our termites in Vallejo guide explains each termite in detail.
Termite droppings vs other droppings and debris
| What you found | What it probably is |
|---|---|
| Tiny, hard, six-sided pellets in a pile under wood | Drywood termites |
| Fine, soft sawdust with bits of insect parts | Carpenter ants |
| Fine, flour-like powder from tiny round holes | Wood-boring beetles |
| Black pepper or coffee ground-like specks in cabinets | Cockroaches |
| Rice-sized or larger dark droppings with pointed ends | Mice or rats, see signs of rats and mice |
Where to check in a Vallejo home
Vallejo housing ranges from Victorians in the Old City and St. Vincent’s Hill historic districts to post-war homes on raised foundations and newer homes in Hiddenbrooke and Northgate. Termites can turn up in all of them. Focus on these spots:
Inside:
– Window frames and sills, especially on sunny sides of the house
– Door frames and baseboards
– The attic: rafters, roof sheathing and the floor under them
– Garage walls and the wood around the garage door
– Under sinks and around the water heater, where wood stays damp
– Wood furniture, built-in shelves and old cabinets
Outside:
– The foundation line, all the way around
– Fascia boards and eaves
– Decks, porch steps and railings
– Fences and posts touching the house
– Wood trim where it meets soil, mulch or planters
– Woodpiles and stored lumber
Crawl space:
– Posts, piers and sill plates
– Floor joists, especially near plumbing
– Any wood touching the soil
Why Vallejo homes are at risk
Our older housing, bay moisture from San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait, raised foundations and mild winters all help termites. Homes around the waterfront, Mare Island, Glen Cove and south Vallejo deal with damp air and wood that stays moist, which subterranean and dampwood termites like.
What to do if you find signs
- Do not disturb the area too much. Breaking every mud tube or spraying store-bought products can push termites to another part of the house and make inspection harder.
- Take photos and note where you found each sign.
- Keep a sample of pellets or wings in a sealed bag.
- Book a professional inspection. Termites are often in more places than the one you found. Call (707) 000-0000.
During a termite inspection we check the inside, outside, attic and crawl space, identify the termite, map where it is and recommend the right treatment. Read more on our termite control in Vallejo page, and see the termite treatment cost guide for what goes into the price.
Signs of termites: common questions
What are the first signs of termites?
Small piles of pellet-like droppings, mud tubes on the foundation, and discarded wings near windows are usually the first signs homeowners notice. Swarmers inside the house are another early warning.
What do termite droppings look like?
Drywood termite droppings are tiny, hard pellets about the size of a sand grain, with six flat sides. They range from tan to dark brown and pile up under small holes in wood.
Can I check for termites myself?
You can do a first check for droppings, mud tubes, wings and hollow wood. A professional inspection covers the attic, crawl space and hidden areas and identifies the exact termite.
What does termite damage look like?
Drywood damage looks like smooth tunnels cut across the wood grain. Subterranean damage follows the grain in layers and is packed with soil. From the outside you may see bubbling paint, small holes or wood that sounds hollow.
Is termite damage covered by insurance?
Usually not. Most homeowners policies treat it as preventable. Catching termites early is the best way to limit repair costs.
How fast do termites damage a house?
It depends on the type and colony size. Subterranean termite colonies are large and can cause serious damage within a few years. Drywood colonies are smaller and slower but often spread to several spots.
Do termites come back after treatment?
They can if conditions stay the same, such as wood touching soil or ongoing moisture. Regular inspections and fixing those conditions lower the risk.
Seeing signs of termites?
Every month counts with termites. Call (707) 000-0000 to book a termite inspection in Vallejo and get a clear answer on what you have and how to treat it.