The 7 Early Warning Signs of Termites That Arizona Homeowners Miss
Termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage every year, and Arizona homeowners are hit especially hard. The problem? Termites work silently. Many families don’t realize they have an infestation until the damage becomes visible — and expensive. The good news: if you know the early warning signs, you can catch termites early and protect your home before the damage spreads.
Here are the 7 signs Arizona homeowners miss the most — and what to do if you spot them.
1. Mud Tubes Along the Foundation
Mud tubes are thin, dirt-colored tunnels termites build to travel between soil and wood. Most homeowners overlook them because they often appear:
Along the side of the home
Inside the garage
Behind stored items
Under baseboards or exterior siding
If you see a mud tube — even a small one — termites are actively chewing somewhere.
2. Hollow-Sounding Wood
Tap any wood surfaces around your home — baseboards, door frames, window sills, and flooring. If it sounds papery or hollow, that’s a major red flag. Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving the outer surface intact until it collapses.
This is often one of the first signs our team finds during inspections.
3. Discarded Wings Around Windowsills
After swarming, reproductive termites shed their wings. You may find small piles of wings near:
Window tracks
Sliding doors
Light fixtures
Outdoor entry points
Homeowners often mistake wings for bugs drifting in, but swarmers are a sign a colony is expanding.
4. Tiny Pinholes in Drywall or Baseboards
Termites sometimes poke tiny holes through drywall as they tunnel. These holes are:
Extremely small
Often mistaken for nail pops
Sometimes covered by paint
Easy to overlook until damage spreads
If you see tiny, unexplained holes, termites may already be inside the walls.
5. Clicking or Tapping Sounds Inside Walls
It sounds crazy — until you hear it yourself. Termites can create:
Faint tapping sounds
Quiet clicking noises
A “rustling” inside walls
These sounds are soldier termites warning the colony of danger or workers chewing through wood. If you hear anything unusual, it’s worth getting checked.
6. Peeling Paint That Looks Like Moisture Damage
Many homeowners assume peeling paint means water damage. But termites often create moisture-like patterns as they tunnel behind walls, causing:
Bubbling paint
Uneven surfaces
Warped baseboards
If there’s no plumbing leak, termites may be the cause.
7. Frass (Termite Droppings)
Drywood termites push out tiny wood-colored pellets called frass. It often looks like:
Coffee grounds
Sand
Tiny beige or brown granules
If you sweep it up and it comes back — you likely have active termites.
Arizona Homes Are at Higher Risk, Here’s Why
Our desert climate makes Arizona a hotspot for Subterranean termites, one of the most destructive species in the U.S. Homes in Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Chandler, Scottsdale, and surrounding areas are especially vulnerable because:
Soil conditions allow easy tunneling
Homes often have wood-to-ground contact
Slab foundations hide early activity
Termites swarm heavily in warm seasons
This makes early detection critical.
What To Do if You Notice Any of These Signs
Even a single warning sign can indicate active termite activity. The sooner you get a professional inspection, the easier — and cheaper — the solution will be.
At The Termite Division, we provide:
✔️ Free, thorough termite inspections
✔️ Expert technicians with deep Arizona experience
✔️ Honest, transparent findings
✔️ Fast treatment options to protect your home
Schedule Your Free Termite Inspection Today
Protect your home before the damage spreads. Serving Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Chandler, Scottsdale, and surrounding Arizona communities.
Call now or schedule online!