Termites stay out of sight, but their activity can undermine an Eagle home before initial signs sign show up. Detecting termite activity early gives you a huge advantage. Homes can deal with moisture issues, soil conditions, and wooden features that can create entry points for termites. Homeowners who know what to watch for can protect their property from costly structural trouble. You can read more about the steps you can take to spot termite issues below:
Look for Mud Tubes Along the Foundation
Subterranean termites use thin tunnels to travel from soil to wood. Walk the perimeter of your home and scan the lower foundation. Tubes often appear near cracks, under siding edges, or along steps that touch the soil. They look like thin brown lines, often rough and clay-like.
Break a small section if you find one. You may have activity if termites are inside or the piece appears freshly rebuilt later. Even if they seem inactive, the presence of tubes indicates that termites have tried to reach the structure at some point.
Check Wood Near Moisture Sources
The dry summers and wet springs in Eagle create moisture issues in crawl spaces, decks, and lower wall sections. Termites gravitate toward softened or damp wood, so these areas show damage first.
Probe the wood around sinks, water heaters, and laundry rooms. The spot needs closer inspection if a screwdriver sinks in with little resistance. Deck posts, beams, and basement joists absorb moisture if ventilation drops or drainage fails. Look for blistered wood, thin layers that peel away, or sections that sound hollow when tapped.
Watch for Paint Bubbling or Rippling Walls
Termites tunnel inside walls, which disrupts paint or finishes on the surface. You may see faint ripples, slight bubbles, or uneven textures where the paint once looked smooth. Walls near kitchens, bathrooms, or exterior doors also deserve extra attention. If a section feels softer than the rest or sounds different when you tap it, it may signal voids in the wood underneath.
Pay Attention to Soft Baseboards and Quiet Tapping Sounds
Press along baseboards with light pressure. If they give way, dent easily, or flake, termites may be responsible. Soft clicking or faint tapping from inside walls sometimes occurs when termite groups disturb wood fibers.
Keep an Eye Out for Discarded Wings
Wing piles form when reproductive termites shed their wings after leaving their colony. These piles are a clear sign that a colony is near. You may find wings near window sills, door frames, baseboards, or areas with indoor light at night. Discarded wings appear during swarm seasons, typically in warmer parts of spring or early summer in Eagle.
Identify Termite Droppings or Frass
Drywood termites leave behind droppings called frass. Drywood activity can occur in certain cases, especially in imported furniture or stored items with untreated wood.
Frass is a tiny, pellet-like material that resembles sawdust. You might find it piling beneath wall cracks, window frames, or attic beams. If you sweep it away and more appear later, look for small holes in the wood above the pile. These holes act as exit points where termites push droppings out.
Inspect Crawl Spaces and Attics Carefully
Many Eagle homes include crawl spaces with varying moisture levels. These areas offer a direct path to structural beams, sill plates, and joists. Use a flashlight to scan wooden surfaces. Early damage shows up as grooves that run along the grain, thin surfaces that cave in, or wood that flakes apart with light pressure.
Attics should also be checked for damaged rafters, compromised trusses, or areas where old roof leaks softened wood. Termites find weakened wood easier to exploit.
Check Outdoor Wooden Features Near the Home
Termites move through soil, fencing, decks, or landscaping structures that sit close to the house. Walk around your property and examine wooden steps attached to the foundation, fence posts with soil contact, and landscape timbers that border gardens. Also, look for firewood stacks placed too close to walls. Once termites establish routes in outdoor wood, they may move to your home next.
