How do you know if termites are in your walls?

Author: Prof. Shawn Rutherford  |  Last update: Friday, February 20, 2026

Common signs of termite damage to a wall include:
  • Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. ...
  • Faint 'lines' on drywall. ...
  • A hollow sound when you tap on the wall.
  • Bubbling or peeling paint.
  • Baseboards that crumble under slight pressure.
  • Jammed doors or windows.

Do termites ever come out of the wall?

Termites tend to burrow into walls and live mostly inside of the wall. However, they also sometimes travel just under the surface of your drywall or plaster to get from one place to another. So if you notice blistering paint on your drywall, it's possible that termites are living just below the surface.

How to tell if termites are active in your house?

Signs of Termite Infestation
  1. You see termite swarmers, either alive or dead, inside the building.
  2. You find mud shelter tubes traveling up the foundation of the building, either outside or in the crawl space.
  3. You find termite damage in the building.

Is there a device that can detect termites in walls?

With the Pied Piper Termatrac® Termite Detection System, we can detect moisture sources, heat sources or active termites that may be hiding inside the walls of your structure.

How do you treat termites in walls?

Termites pose a significant threat to homes and structures, causing extensive damage that can be both financially and structurally burdensome. The key natural ways to kill termites are using nematodes, vinegar, cardboard traps, boric acid, and diatomaceous earth.

Termite Problems: How to Spot Them

How to check for termites behind walls?

Common signs of termite damage to a wall include:
  1. Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. ...
  2. Faint 'lines' on drywall. ...
  3. A hollow sound when you tap on the wall.
  4. Bubbling or peeling paint.
  5. Baseboards that crumble under slight pressure.
  6. Jammed doors or windows.

Is it safe to live in a house with termites?

As a result, the lack of sleep can make you sick. Other than that, termites are not harmful to humans. To prevent further damage to your home, it's better to call in a professional pest control company such as ChemFree Exterminating in Orange County, CA.

How do you test your house for termites?

Evidence of termite damage can include things like:
  1. Buckling floors.
  2. Dry rot in wood floor joists.
  3. Wood rot in door and window frames.
  4. Soft/damp wood.
  5. The presence of mud tubes bored into the soil near the foundation or directly into the home.
  6. Swarms around indoor or outdoor lights.
  7. Small mounds of what looks like sawdust.

Can you scan walls for termites?

Thermal imaging technology detects heat patterns. When termites invade buildings, the normal heat patterns on the walls, floors and roof are changed due to the presence of termites. The thermal camera records this change in heat patterns and indicates the exact location of any termite infestation.

Can you hear termites in the wall during the day?

Termite noises can be heard anytime but are more detectable during the night when the house is quiet. Termites also make sounds when they get threatened or disturbed. They alarm each other about looming danger by banging their heads against the wall. The banging creates a louder sound that is easier for humans to hear.

What kills termites the fastest?

If nothing else suits you, go and try the successful heat treatment to control termites at home. Just use hot air or increase the temperature of the infected area up to 120 degrees and maintain it for half an hour. This much heat for this much time will kill the termites instantly.

Does homeowners insurance cover termite damage?

Termite damage and removal typically aren't covered by your home, condo, or renters insurance policy. Insurance companies consider termite infestations to be preventable, so the cost of termite damage and removal will come out of your pocket.

What time of year are termites most active?

Peak termite season

Termites are most active during the warmer months, typically from spring to fall.

What does a termite nest look like on a wall?

Mud Tubes: Termites build mud tubes as protective passageways between their nest and food sources. These pencil-sized tunnels, often found along walls, ceilings, or foundations, clearly indicate subterranean termite activity.

Will termites go away on their own?

If you're willing to put up with these insects crawling in your curtains and staining them with their excrement, this pest problem will go away on its own. Termites will not go away on their own. We bet you know why. While many pests need to find a food source inside your home in order to stay, termites do not.

How to get rid of termites in a wall with vinegar?

Mix equal parts of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar with water. Spray the solution on areas where termites are present or suspected, such as infested wood or mud tubes. Repeat the application as needed, but keep in mind that vinegar alone may not provide complete eradication of termites.

How do I permanently get rid of termites in my wall?

How To Get Rid Of Termites In Walls
  1. Using boric acid baits — this method alone is insufficient to kill the entire colony.
  2. Drilling and injecting pesticides/termiticides.
  3. Using heat (termites cannot survive intense heat in the air) 120°F for 35 minutes.
  4. Fumigation.
  5. Using nematodes (natural parasites of termites)

How do home inspectors check for termites?

If drywood termites are active in the area, your inspector will inspect exposed wood, hardwood floors, attics, crawlspaces and eaves, where accessible. Inspectors also may check wooden furniture for signs of drywood termites.

What does termite damage look like in walls?

Bubbling, peeling paint, and pin holes can all be a sign of early termite damage in your drywall.

What are signs of termites?

9 Warning Signs You Have Termites in Your Home
  • Discarded Termites Wings. ...
  • Frass: Termite Droppings That Look Like Sawdust. ...
  • Spotting Live Termites in Your Home. ...
  • Mud Tubes: Subterranean Termites' Pathways. ...
  • Hollowed Out Wood. ...
  • Exterior Wood Damage. ...
  • Uneven or Bubbling Paint. ...
  • Outdoor Issues.

How do exterminators find termites?

The process begins with a thorough inspection of the property by a trained exterminator. They will look for signs of termite activity, such as mud tubes on walls, damaged wood, discarded wings, and fecal pellets.

Does your house smell if you have termites?

Musty Smell

Be cautious not to mistake a musty or foul odor in your home for something as benign as dirty laundry—it could actually be a sign of a termite infestation. Termites, particularly when they are present in significant numbers or when their nests are large, can emit a distinctive, unpleasant smell.

Can I sleep in a room with termites?

Termites themselves do not pose a direct threat to occupants' health and you should be able to sleep fine for a night. However, addressing the termite infestation promptly is crucial to prevent potential structural damage to the room or the entire property.

Can a termite-infested house be saved?

Spotting a problem early on will make it easier to get the proper termite extermination your home needs. When you're able to recognize some of the early signs of these invasive insects, you can end up saving your home and your wallet from serious damage.

How much does it cost to repair termite damage?

The average cost to repair termite damage ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, with a national average of $3,000. Structural home damage is the most severe and is expensive to fix. The average cost of termite damage repair is $3,000, but repairs range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more.

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