Free Termite Warning Signs Checklist
Print this page or follow along on your phone. Walk your home top to bottom — attic, living spaces, baseboards, then crawlspace or basement, then exterior perimeter. Check anything that looks familiar.
Quick Answer
Walk through your home checking for these 10 termite warning signs. If you find one or more, request a professional inspection — do not disturb the area first.
The 10-Item Termite Warning Signs Checklist
- ☐ Mud tubes on foundations, piers, or crawlspace walls
- ☐ Discarded wings near windows and door frames
- ☐ Soft, spongy, or hollow-sounding wood
- ☐ Bubbling, blistering, or peeling paint
- ☐ Doors or windows that suddenly stick
- ☐ Tiny piles of wood-colored pellets (frass)
- ☐ Swarmers near interior windows in spring
- ☐ Damp crawlspace or wood-to-soil contact
- ☐ Damaged, crumbling, or cracked baseboards and trim
- ☐ Previous termite history in the home or neighborhood
What it means
This checklist mirrors what a professional inspector looks for first. It is meant as a homeowner self-screen, not a substitute for a real inspection.
When to call a professional
Any single checked item is worth a call. Multiple items strongly indicate active or recent termite activity.
What to do next
Photograph what you found. Do not disturb the area. Request an inspection using the form below.