7 Warning Signs You Have Termites in Your Texas Home

Published: 2025-03-15

Texas loses an estimated $1 billion in property value to termite damage every year — and most of it happens without the homeowner noticing until serious structural damage has already occurred. Termites are called 'silent destroyers' for good reason: a mature subterranean termite colony in your foundation can consume over a pound of wood per day, hollowing out structural beams from the inside while leaving the surface intact.

Mud Tubes on Your Foundation

Subterranean termites — the most destructive species in Texas — build pencil-width mud tubes to travel between soil and wood without exposure to air. Check your foundation walls, piers, and crawl space supports. These tubes are often the first visible sign of an active infestation.

Hollow-Sounding Wood

Tap wooden structural members with a screwdriver handle. Sound wood gives a solid thud; termite-damaged wood sounds hollow or papery. This happens because termites eat wood from the inside out, consuming the cellulose while leaving a thin outer shell.

Discarded Wings Near Windows

Termite swarmers — reproductive termites — fly from established colonies to start new ones. They shed their wings immediately after landing. Finding small, equal-length wings piled on windowsills or door frames is a strong indicator of an active nearby colony.

Blistering or Bubbling Paint

Moisture damage and termite damage look similar on painted surfaces. If paint is bubbling or blistering without an obvious water source, it could be termite damage in the wall cavity. Probe the area with a screwdriver — if it sinks in easily, you have wood damage that warrants immediate inspection.

Frass (Termite Droppings)

Drywood termites push their fecal pellets out of tiny kick-out holes. You'll find small piles of what looks like sawdust or coffee grounds below infested wood. Unlike subterranean termite mud, drywood frass is dry and granular.

Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows

Termite activity produces moisture that warps wood. If doors or windows that previously fit normally now stick or feel difficult to open, have them inspected — especially in older homes with wood framing.

Visible Termites in Soil or Wood

Seeing live termites is an obvious sign, but most homeowners never see them — they stay hidden. If you disturb soil near your foundation and see white, ant-sized insects fleeing, those are likely worker termites.

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