You can catch termites early by learning their four telltale signs: mud tubes on the foundation, swarming winged insects (or their discarded wings), hollow-sounding or blistered wood, and small piles of frass that look like sawdust or coffee grounds. Houston's warm, humid climate and clay soil make subterranean termites a constant threat, and they do their damage quietly. This is a DIY inspection to catch the warning signs — actual termite treatment is a job for a licensed pro.
What you'll need
- A bright flashlight
- A flathead screwdriver
- Old clothes for the crawlspace
- A phone camera to document findings
Recommended parts & supplies
- Bright LED flashlight — essential for inspecting the foundation and crawlspace
- Flathead screwdriver — probe suspect wood to check for hollow galleries
- Wood moisture meter — high moisture readings flag the damp wood termites seek
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Step by step
- 1
Inspect the foundation for mud tubes
Subterranean termites build pencil-width mud tubes to travel from the soil to your wood while staying hidden and moist. With a flashlight, scan the exterior foundation, the interior of the garage, and any crawlspace or slab edge for these thin, dried-mud lines running up the concrete. Break a small section open — if it is rebuilt within a few days, the colony is active.
- 2
Watch for swarmers and discarded wings
In spring, especially after warm Houston rains, reproductive termites swarm to start new colonies. You may see clouds of winged insects near windows or lights, or find small piles of identical discarded wings on windowsills, in spider webs, or by doors. Termite swarmers have straight bodies and equal-length wings — flying ants have a pinched waist and unequal wings.
- 3
Tap and probe suspect wood
Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a thin shell. Tap baseboards, door frames, window sills, and structural wood with the screwdriver handle — a hollow or papery sound is a red flag. Then gently press or probe the surface; if the screwdriver sinks in easily or the wood crumbles into a honeycomb of galleries, you likely have damage.
- 4
Look for frass, blistering, and buckling
Drywood termites push out frass — tiny pellets that pile up like sawdust or coffee grounds beneath the infested wood. Also watch for paint that looks blistered or bubbled, wood that appears water-damaged with no water source, and floors, trim, or door frames that have started to warp or buckle.
- 5
Check the moisture-prone danger zones
Termites need moisture, so inspect where wood meets damp conditions: around the water heater and under sinks, at exterior faucets and AC condensate lines, where soil or mulch contacts siding, and any spot with a past leak. A moisture meter reading that is high in these areas flags exactly the damp wood termites are drawn to. Keep mulch and firewood away from the foundation.
When to call a pro
If you find any of these signs — mud tubes, swarmers, hollow wood, or frass — call a licensed termite professional right away rather than trying to treat it yourself. Termite control requires specialized equipment, soil-applied termiticides or in-ground bait systems, and licensing that store-bought products cannot match, and a missed pocket lets the colony keep eating. Even if you find nothing, Houston homes benefit from a professional termite inspection every one to two years, since colonies work hidden for months. If you are buying or selling a home, a WDI (wood-destroying-insect) inspection is typically required for the sale.
Get a free quote from a local pro
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How to Spot Termite Warning Signs Early (Houston Homeowner Guide) — FAQ
What are the first signs of termites in a house?
How can I tell termites from flying ants?
Can I treat termites myself?
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