If you’re worried about termites in your home’s walls, you’re not alone. Termites are often called the silent destroyers because they work quietly and steadily behind the scenes, damaging the structure of your home long before you notice a problem.
The good news? There are clear signs that can help you discover if termites might be inside your walls. By learning how to spot the warning signs, understanding what types of termites may be involved, and knowing when to call a professional, you can save yourself thousands in repair costs.
Why Termites Target Walls
According to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), termites cause over $5 billion in property damage every year in the U.S., and most of this cost is not covered by homeowners’ insurance.
Walls are one of the most common areas of infestation because they provide the three things termites need most: food, moisture, and protection.
- Food source: The wood framing, baseboards, and even cellulose in drywall paper give termites plenty to eat.
- Moisture: Walls often hide leaky pipes or condensation, creating damp conditions where termites thrive.
- Shelter: Inside walls, termites can spread undetected for months or even years since the damage is hidden from plain view.
Florida and other warm, humid regions are especially vulnerable because the climate allows termites to stay active all year long. Unlike colder climates, where termite activity slows down in winter, homes in these regions remain at constant risk.
Types of Termites That Damage Walls
Not all termites behave the same way, and the type of termite in your walls can determine how much damage they cause and how they’re treated.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are the most destructive and common species in Florida. They live underground in massive colonies and build mud tubes to reach food sources above ground. These tubes protect them from the open air and predators. Once inside walls, they can consume wooden framing, flooring, and even furniture. Colonies can number in the millions, meaning damage spreads quickly.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites don’t need soil contact. They infest dry wood directly, including trim, furniture, and walls. Because they live entirely within the wood they consume, they can be difficult to detect. One of the most common signs of drywood termites is frass.
Frass are tiny, pellet-like droppings that look like sawdust or coffee grounds, often found near baseboards or window sills.
Why It Matters
Knowing which type of termite you’re dealing with is critical. Subterranean termites often require soil treatments or baiting systems, while drywood termites may need localized treatments or even whole-home fumigation if the infestation is widespread.
Early Warning Signs You Might Have Termites in Walls
Since termites live and eat inside walls, spotting them early can be tricky. Here are some of the most common clues:
- Small pinholes in drywall or wood: Termites create exit holes when they swarm or move between spaces.
- Bubbling or peeling paint: This can look like water damage, but termites create similar effects by tunneling under the surface.
- Hollow-sounding wood: When you tap walls or baseboards, areas that sound empty or papery may already be damaged inside.
- Clicking noises: Worker termites are noisy eaters, and soldier termites sometimes bang their heads on tunnels to signal danger.
- Mud tubes on foundation walls or crawlspaces: These pencil-sized tubes are highways termites use to travel safely between soil and wood.
Even if you only notice one or two of these signs, it’s worth scheduling an inspection. Termite colonies grow quickly, and waiting can mean more extensive repairs later.
How to Tell If You Have Termites vs Other Pests
Not every hole or damaged wall means termites. Homeowners often confuse termite signs with those of other pests or problems:
- Carpenter ants: These ants tunnel into wood, but they don’t eat it. Their discarded wood shavings look very different from termite frass. Ants also have narrow waists, bent antennae, and unequal wings, while termites have thick waists, straight antennae, and wings of equal length.
- Water damage: Moisture can cause peeling paint or swollen wood. The difference is that termites leave mud tubes, hollow spots, or droppings, while water damage usually comes with visible leaks or staining.
- Rodents: Mice and rats chew walls too, but they leave gnaw marks, droppings, and a strong odor. Termites are much quieter and cleaner.
If you’re unsure, it’s better to have a professional confirm the cause. Misidentifying the problem could delay proper treatment.
What To Do If You Suspect Termites in Walls
Here are the steps to take if you think termites may be hiding in your walls:
- Act quickly. Termites don’t rest, and the longer they feed, the more expensive repairs become.
- Don’t rely on DIY sprays. Store-bought treatments may kill visible termites, but won’t reach the colony hidden inside your walls.
- Call a licensed inspector. Professionals use specialized tools and training to confirm whether termites are present and how severe the damage is.
Honor Services provides detailed WDO/termite inspections to uncover termite activity before it leads to major damage.
How Professionals Inspect for Termites in Walls
A professional termite inspection is much more thorough than a visual check. Inspectors often use:
- Moisture meters to detect areas where water leaks or dampness could attract termites.
- Infrared cameras to pick up subtle heat differences caused by termite activity inside walls.
- Sounding tools or probes to test whether wood sounds hollow or breaks too easily.
- Experience and training to recognize subtle clues homeowners might overlook.
The benefit of a professional inspection is peace of mind. Even if no termites are found, you’ll know your home is protected and can take steps to prevent future infestations.
How to Prevent Termites From Getting Into Your Walls
While treatment and inspections are important, prevention is your best defense. Here are practical ways to reduce your risk:
- Limit soil-to-wood contact: Keep mulch, soil, and landscaping away from the foundation to reduce entry points.
- Store firewood properly: Never stack wood directly against your home, as it attracts termites. Keep it elevated and at least 20 feet away.
- Fix leaks right away: Whether it’s a dripping faucet or a leaky roof, moisture draws termites in.
- Seal entry points: Use caulk to close cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation.
- Schedule annual inspections: Especially in termite-heavy areas like Florida, yearly inspections help catch small problems before they grow.
By taking these steps, you not only protect your walls but also the entire structure of your home.
Related Questions
How do you check for termites inside drywall?
Look for pinholes, bubbling paint, or hollow sounds when tapping walls. Inspectors may use infrared cameras to confirm hidden colonies.
Can termites spread from one wall to another?
Yes. Subterranean termites travel through soil and mud tubes, while drywood termites expand by tunneling inside connected wood.
What’s the difference between drywood termites and subterranean termites?
Drywood termites live inside wood and don’t need soil, while subterranean termites live underground and build mud tubes to access homes.
Do I need a yearly termite inspection?
Yes. Annual inspections are the best way to detect termites before they cause significant damage.
Conclusion
Knowing how to tell if you have termites in your home’s walls can save you time, stress, and money. By recognizing the signs, understanding the types of termites, and taking quick action, you can protect your home from costly structural damage.
If you suspect termites, schedule a professional inspection with Honor Services. Our expert team provides thorough termite inspections to help you safeguard your biggest investment.
