7 Signs of Termites Florida Homeowners Miss

Termites are quiet tenants. These are the signs our inspectors find in Central Florida homes, ranked by how often homeowners walk right past them.

1. Frass piles that look like pepper or seeds

Drywood termites push droppings out of their tunnels. A recurring little pile under a window, picture frame or piece of furniture is the single most missed sign in Florida.

2. Wings on windowsills

Swarming termites shed their wings within hours. A sill dusted with identical translucent wings after a warm spring evening means a colony is close, possibly inside.

3. Bubbled or blistered paint

Paint over eaten wood loses its backing and wrinkles. It looks like water damage but the wood behind it is dry and hollow.

4. Mud tubes

Subterranean termites build dirt highways up foundations. Break one and check back in a week: rebuilt means active.

5. Doors and windows that suddenly stick

Eaten frames warp. A door that fit last season and drags now deserves a tap test with a screwdriver handle.

6. Hollow sounds and soft spots

Baseboards, trim and flooring that sound papery or give under pressure have usually been eaten from within.

7. Swarmers indoors

Winged termites around lights inside the home almost never wandered in by accident. There is a colony in or under the structure.

One sign is enough to justify a free inspection. Send us a photo with your quote request and we will tell you what we see before anyone visits.