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Last Updated on November 13, 2025 by Arizona Termite Control

Termites are one of those problems homeowners in Mesa, AZ hope they never have to think about, but ignoring the early warning signs can get expensive fast. The tricky part is that termites are quiet, slow workers, and most of the damage happens long before you see a single insect. In this guide, we’ll walk through the subtle signs of termites we look for every day in local homes, and what you can do if any of them show up in yours.

Why Catching Termites Early Matters for Mesa Homeowners

Quiet damage that adds up fast

Termite problems rarely start with something dramatic. There’s no loud scratching, no sudden collapse, just tiny changes you barely notice until you add them up. A hollow-sounding baseboard here, a hairline crack there, maybe a door that sticks “because of the weather.” Meanwhile, termites are eating the parts of your home you never see.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage each year, and property owners spend over two billion dollars annually on termite treatment and repairs [1]. When you catch the early signs of termites, you’re not just saving money—you’re protecting the comfort, safety, and value of your home.

The earlier we catch termite activity, the more likely it is that we can use targeted, less invasive termite treatment options rather than major structural work. That’s a big reason why we always tell Mesa homeowners: if something feels off, don’t ignore it. Let us check it out before it turns into a full-blown headache.

Why Mesa and the East Valley are termite hot spots

Mesa and the rest of the East Valley sit in what’s essentially prime territory for subterranean termites. We have warm temperatures for most of the year, irrigation water, and plenty of slab-on-grade construction—basically, a comfortable buffet line for termites.

Our desert climate might look dry on the surface, but between irrigation lines, leaky hose bibs, and rock or mulch landscaping, there are lots of damp pockets right next to concrete foundations. Subterranean termites only need a thin gap or tiny crack to build mud tubes from the soil into your home. That’s why local termite control is less about a one-time fix and more about ongoing vigilance and smart prevention.

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What Do Termites Look Like (And How Are They Different From Ants)?

Subterranean termites you’ll see in Mesa

Most of the termite colonies we deal with in Mesa are subterranean termites. You’ll almost never see the workers unless we open up the wood or remove their shelter. What you’re more likely to notice are the “swarmers”—the winged reproductive termites that emerge seasonally, often in the spring or after a warm, wet spell.

So, what do termites look like when you actually see them?

• Workers: Soft-bodied, creamy white to translucent, about the size of a grain of rice. You usually only see these when wood is opened.
• Soldiers: Similar body to workers, but with darker, oversized heads and strong jaws used for defense.
• Swarmers (alates): Darker bodies (brown or black), straight antennae, and two pairs of equal-length wings that are longer than their bodies.

Most homeowners notice swarmers first, either flying around lights or piling up dead near windows. Discarded wings on window sills or along sliding glass doors are one of the most overlooked early signs of termites.

Termite vs. ant: quick ID checklist

One of the most common questions we hear is, “Are these flying ants or termites?” It matters, because one is an annoyance and the other can chew through your home’s structure.

• Waist: Termites have a straight, thick waist; ants have a pinched, “hourglass” waist.
• Antennae: Termite antennae are straight; ant antennae are bent like an elbow.
• Wings: Termites have two pairs of equal-length wings; ants have front wings longer than the back wings.
• Body color: Termite swarmers tend to look uniform in color; ants often have more defined segments and darker bodies.

If you’re not sure, snap a clear photo and reach out. We can usually tell very quickly whether you’re looking at something minor or a reason to schedule a professional termite inspection.

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10 Early Warning Signs of Termites in Your Home

Let’s walk through ten of the most important early clues we look for during an inspection. You don’t need to become an expert—that’s our job—but you should know what deserves a second look.

Sign	What It Usually Means
Mud tubes on concrete or block	Subterranean termites are traveling between soil and wood inside your home.
Hollow-sounding wood	Termites may have eaten the interior, leaving only a thin outer shell.
Discarded wings indoors	Swarmers emerged inside, suggesting an active or nearby colony.
Pellet-like droppings	Possible drywood termite frass, especially in upper stories or furniture.
Bubbling paint or soft drywall	Moisture and possible termite activity behind the surface.

1. Mud tubes creeping up your foundation

This is one of the biggest classic signs of termites. Subterranean termites build pencil-width mud tubes to travel safely from the soil to your home. You’ll often see them on foundation walls, stem walls, piers, or even up block fences and support posts.

Look for:

• Earthy, brown “lines”: They may run vertically up concrete, across expansion joints, or along pipes and utility penetrations.
• Broken tubes that get rebuilt: If you scrape a section away and it’s rebuilt later, that’s a strong sign of active termite traffic.

If you see mud tubes, that’s the time to call a licensed termite control specialist—not a “wait and see” situation. Modern bait systems and liquid fast-acting termite control methods are designed to target the colony, not just the tubes.

2. Soft, hollow-sounding, or blistered wood

Termites typically eat wood from the inside out. To a homeowner, that often shows up as baseboards, door frames, or trim that looks normal but feels soft or sounds hollow when tapped. In some cases, the surface blisters or warps slightly.

Simple at-home checks:

• Tap and listen: Gently tap baseboards, window sills, and door frames with your knuckles or the handle of a screwdriver.
• Press lightly: If the wood gives way easily under gentle pressure, that’s a red flag.

Hollow or blistered wood can have other causes, but combined with other signs—like mud tubes or swarmers—it strongly suggests active termite activity.

3. Tiny piles of “sawdust” (termite frass)

Some species, especially drywood termites, push their droppings out of small kick-out holes in the wood. These droppings, called frass, look like tiny, hard, six-sided pellets rather than fluffy sawdust. You might see them piling up on window sills, under wooden furniture, or along baseboards.

National pest organizations highlight frass as a common early indicator of termite activity indoors [2]. If you vacuum the pellets and they reappear in the same area, it’s time to schedule an inspection.

4. Discarded wings on windowsills and porches

Swarmers shed their wings shortly after landing. Homeowners often find piles of delicate, translucent wings near window sills, sliding doors, door thresholds, or even under porch lights.

Here’s the unnerving part: discarded wings indoors usually mean the swarm happened inside the structure, not outside. That suggests you may have a mature colony either under or inside the home. According to the National Pest Management Association, discarded wings are often the first and only outward sign many homeowners notice before discovering more serious damage [3].

5. Swarmers around lights or after a storm

In Mesa, termite swarms often show up in warm weather, sometimes following rain. You might see winged insects gathering around porch lights, streetlights, or bright windows, especially during dusk or evening hours.

Swarmers don’t eat your home, but they are a huge warning flag. Their entire purpose is to start new colonies, which means there’s already an established colony nearby. Seeing swarmers around your property is a good reason to have us perform a thorough inspection and, if needed, set up termite barriers or bait systems.

6. Tight doors, sticky windows, and mystery cracks

Termite activity and the moisture that often goes with it can cause subtle shifts in your home’s structure. Doors that used to swing freely may start to stick. Windows that opened smoothly now need a firm push. You might also see new cracks in drywall or ceiling lines that don’t match normal settling patterns.

Yes, expanding and contracting wood in Mesa’s heat can cause some of this. But if you’re also seeing other early signs of termites, those “fussy” doors and windows deserve a closer look.

7. Bubbling paint or uneven drywall

When termites tunnel just beneath the surface, they can disturb paint and drywall. That sometimes shows up as bubbling, uneven texture, faint ripples, or small areas where paint looks blistered or swollen.

The tricky part is that water damage can look similar. A professional inspection helps distinguish between a plumbing issue and a termite issue—and in plenty of Mesa homes, we find a bit of both. Either way, it’s not something to ignore.

8. Noisy walls – faint clicking or tapping

It sounds strange, but sometimes homeowners actually hear termites. Soldier termites tap their heads or bodies against tunnels to communicate, and large colonies can produce soft clicking or rustling noises inside walls, especially in quiet rooms.

If you suspect activity, place your ear gently against a suspect wall or baseboard in a quiet house. You’re not likely to hear a Hollywood-level sound effect, but if you notice faint, repetitive noises, it’s worth a call.

9. Sagging floors or spongy baseboards

Over time, termite feeding can weaken joists, subfloors, and wall framing. In slab-on-grade homes common in Mesa, the damage often shows up along interior walls, at the base of cabinets, or near tub and shower areas where moisture is also present.

Watch for:

• Floors that feel uneven: Subtle dips or springy areas when you walk.
• Baseboards that flex: Trim that pushes in more than it should when pressed.

These are usually later-stage signs, but we still sometimes catch termites early when homeowners call us the moment they feel something “off” underfoot.

10. Old termite damage that never quite went away

This one surprises people. If you bought a home with “previous termite treatment” listed on the report, it doesn’t mean you’ll never see termites again. Termite warranties can lapse. Soil conditions change. New construction, landscaping, or irrigation adjustments can open fresh pathways.

If you already know your home has a history with termites, it’s smart to set up regular monitoring and termite preventative treatment. Think of it like regular dental cleanings for your house—much easier than waiting for a painful emergency.

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Common Places We Find Termites in Mesa Homes

Slab edges, patios, and expansion joints

Because so many Mesa homes sit on concrete slabs, we pay close attention to the edges and any place where concrete meets soil. Termites love:

• Expansion joints: Those narrow gaps between your slab and patio or garage can hide mud tubes.
• Cracks and gaps: Even hairline cracks are enough for termites to squeeze through.
• Planter beds against the house: Rock or mulch right up against stucco can hide tubes very well.

Garages, porches, and exterior steps

Garages often have cardboard boxes, stored lumber, and stored items that sit right on the slab—basically a snack bar for termites. We also see activity around porch posts, steps, and columns, especially where wood contacts soil or concrete.

It’s a good habit to keep boxes, wood, and stored items up on shelves or pallets and away from walls when you can. That small change makes inspections easier and reduces hidden feeding sites.

Attics, plumbing penetrations, and surprise hotspots

Subterranean termites move up through the home following plumbing lines, utility penetrations, and wall cavities. That’s why we sometimes find damage in places homeowners never expect—like around tub surrounds, upstairs bathrooms, or attic framing near vent stacks.

A thorough inspection follows the path termites would naturally take, from the soil, to the foundation, to the interior framing. That’s one reason we recommend pairing an inspection with a detailed explanation, such as the kind we outline in our homeowner’s guide to termite inspection reports.

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When Do You Need Professional Termite Control vs. DIY?

Simple monitoring you can do yourself

There are basic checks every homeowner can handle between professional visits. Walking the perimeter of your home once a month, looking for mud tubes, wood-to-soil contact, or discarded wings, goes a long way. Keeping mulch pulled back from the foundation and storing firewood away from the house are also simple, high-impact habits.

Extension programs and pest experts emphasize regular inspections and moisture management as key elements for termite prevention [4]. You don’t need special tools to do a basic version of that at home.

When it’s time to call a licensed termite specialist

That said, there’s a line where DIY stops being smart and starts being risky. You should call a professional termite control company if you notice any of the following:

• Visible mud tubes: On foundations, piers, plumbing lines, or block walls.
• Active swarmers: Flying termites indoors or large numbers around your house.
• Structural changes: Sagging floors, soft wood, or peeling paint with no obvious water leak.
• Recurring signs: Frass or wings that keep returning after you clean them up.

Professional termite treatment uses products and application methods that aren’t available at the hardware store, and it comes with experience you simply don’t get from a weekend YouTube session. If you’re unsure whether your situation is serious, we’d rather talk it through with you than have you wait too long.

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What Happens During a Professional Termite Inspection?

How we check your home from roofline to soil

A good termite inspection is more than a quick walk-around with a flashlight. We start outside, moving around the full perimeter of the home, checking foundation walls, patios, step-downs, and landscaping. Then we move indoors, looking at baseboards, window and door frames, plumbing penetrations, garages, and—when accessible—attics or crawl spaces.

During an inspection, we’re looking for all those early signs of termites you’ve just read about, plus subtle details most people overlook. Afterward, we explain what we found in clear language and, if needed, connect it to more detailed guidance like what we share in our article on deciphering termite inspection reports.

Tools and treatment options we may recommend

Depending on what we find, we might recommend several different termite control approaches, such as:

• Liquid soil treatments: Applied around the foundation to create a treated zone termites can’t pass through.
• Bait systems: Stations placed around your home to attract termites and eliminate colonies over time.
• Local wood treatments: Treating specific areas of active feeding or vulnerable wood.
• Fumigation: For severe or widespread infestations, often explained in more detail in our guide to termite fumigation services.

Our team at Arizona Termite Control uses a mix of proven methods, tailored to your home’s layout and your goals. Sometimes we start with targeted work and layer in longer-term prevention, as we describe in our overview of fast-acting termite control methods.

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Mesa-Termite Action Plan: Steps You Can Take Today

Quick prevention checklist for busy homeowners

If you’re like most homeowners in Mesa, you’ve got a full plate already. The good news is that protecting your home from termites doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a simple checklist you can work through over a few weekends.

• Walk your foundation: Look for mud tubes, cracks, or spots where soil or rock touches stucco or siding.
• Pull landscaping back: Keep mulch, gravel, and plants a small distance away from the foundation where possible.
• Store wood smart: Keep firewood and lumber off the ground and away from exterior walls.
• Watch moisture: Fix leaky spigots, redirect downspouts, and avoid constant wet spots near the house.
• Schedule regular inspections: Pair DIY monitoring with professional preventative termite treatment so problems get caught early.

Home care articles and pest experts consistently recommend moisture control, debris removal, and regular inspections as the core of effective termite prevention [5]. When you combine those habits with a solid plan for professional termite control, you give your home the best chance to stay protected.

How Arizona Termite Control can help

Honestly, you shouldn’t have to become a termite expert just to feel confident in your own home. That’s what we’re here for. We live and work right here in Mesa, so we understand the soil types, construction styles, and neighborhood patterns that shape how termites move through East Valley properties.

If you’ve spotted any of these early signs of termites—or if you just have a hunch something isn’t right—we’d be happy to take a closer look. Give us a call at 480-660-3093 or request a low-stress, professional inspection at https://arizonatermitecontrol.org/request-inspection/#go. We’ll walk you through what we find, recommend straightforward termite treatment options, and help you choose a plan—whether that’s a one-time fix, long-term protection, or a combination that lets you breathe easier in your home.

Sources

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – “Termites: How to Identify and Control Them” [https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them](https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them) ([EPA][1])

2. National Pest Management Association / PestWorld – “Termite Season is Here: Know The Signs of an Infestation” [https://www.pestworld.org/multimedia-center/press-releases/termite-season-is-here-know-the-signs-of-an-infestation/](https://www.pestworld.org/multimedia-center/press-releases/termite-season-is-here-know-the-signs-of-an-infestation/) ([Pest World][2])

3. National Pest Management Association / PestWorld – “Know the Warning Signs of a Termite Infestation Before It’s Too Late” [https://www.pestworld.org/multimedia-center/press-releases/know-the-warning-signs-of-a-termite-infestation-before-it-s-too-late/](https://www.pestworld.org/multimedia-center/press-releases/know-the-warning-signs-of-a-termite-infestation-before-it-s-too-late/) ([Pest World][3])

4. University of Florida IFAS Extension – “Termite Prevention and Control” [https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1277](https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1277) ([Ask IFAS – Powered by EDIS][4])

5. The Spruce – “7 Ways to Prevent Termites Before They Damage Your Home, According to Pest Pros” [https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-prevent-termites-11730857](https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-prevent-termites-11730857) ([thespruce.com][5])