Termites are easy to underestimate because the insects themselves often stay hidden. In Missouri, the native termites are subterranean termites, which means their colonies are associated with the soil and workers can move into a home through protected routes that are not obvious from the living room.

For homeowners, the practical challenge is recognizing the evidence before the damage becomes extensive. You may never see a large group of termites crawling across the floor. What you are more likely to notice are changes in wood, shelter tubes, swarmers or other signs that something is happening behind the surface.

Mud-like shelter tubes along the foundation

One of the most recognizable signs of subterranean termites is a narrow, mud-like tube running along a foundation wall, pier or other surface. These tubes help termites stay protected from dry air while they travel between the soil and a food source.

If you find a suspicious tube, take a photo and leave at least part of it intact until an inspector can see it. Scraping everything away may remove useful evidence without solving the problem.

Winged insects appearing indoors

A sudden group of winged insects near a window can be alarming, and with good reason. Termite colonies produce swarmers when they are mature enough to reproduce, but ants can swarm too, which is why homeowners often misidentify one as the other.

Termite swarmers usually have a broader waist, straighter antennae and two pairs of wings that are roughly similar in size. Winged ants generally have a pinched waist, elbowed antennae and front wings that are larger than the rear wings.

If you are unsure what you found, our guide to flying ants versus termite swarmers in St. Louis can help you compare the most useful clues.

Discarded wings near windows or doors

After swarming, termites may shed their wings. Homeowners sometimes notice small piles of delicate wings on a window sill, near a door or beneath a light source even after the insects themselves are gone.

One stray wing is not enough to diagnose a termite infestation, but repeated indoor evidence deserves attention, especially if it appears with other warning signs.

Wood that sounds hollow or feels unusually soft

Termites can feed inside wood while leaving part of the surface intact. That is why a board may look normal at first but sound hollow when tapped or feel softer than surrounding material.

Do not start dismantling framing to prove that termites are present. Moisture damage, rot and carpenter ants can create some overlapping symptoms, and structural materials should be evaluated carefully.

Blistered or rippled surfaces

Sometimes the first visible change is not a hole or a live insect. Painted wood, trim or flooring can develop blistered, rippled or unusual-looking areas when damage is occurring underneath.

Moisture can produce similar changes, so this is not a stand-alone termite diagnosis. It becomes more meaningful when it appears near other evidence such as tubes, swarmers or soft wood.

Moisture around structural wood

Moisture does not prove termites are present, but it can make a property more vulnerable and can hide other damage. Leaking plumbing, poor drainage, wet crawl spaces, damaged gutters and wood that sits too close to soil are all worth correcting whether termites are found or not.

If a home has recurring moisture along the foundation or in a crawl space, a termite inspection can help determine whether there is any visible insect activity associated with those conditions.

Previous termite history or unexplained repairs

A home that has been treated before deserves documentation, not assumptions. Ask when the treatment was performed, what areas were involved and whether the property has been inspected since.

Previous termite treatment does not automatically mean an ongoing problem. It simply means the history should be considered alongside the current condition of the home.

What these signs cannot tell you on their own

Visible evidence can tell you that an inspection is warranted, but it usually cannot tell you how extensive the activity is, whether it is current or what type of treatment is appropriate. Carpenter ants can also be associated with damaged wood, and moisture damage can look suspicious without involving insects at all.

That is why one credible warning sign is enough reason to investigate, but not enough reason to guess at a treatment.

Around The Clock Pest Control performs termite inspections throughout Greater St. Louis and offers termite treatment options when treatment is warranted.

Frequently asked questions

What is the clearest sign of termites?
Shelter tubes, confirmed termite swarmers and visible termite-damaged wood are all strong reasons to schedule an inspection, but no single sign replaces a professional evaluation.

Can termites be active without visible damage?
Yes. Subterranean termites can remain concealed while moving through soil, hidden spaces and wood.

Are termites only active in spring?
Swarming is seasonal, but the colony exists beyond the short period when winged termites are visible.

If you have found a suspicious tube, swarmers or damaged wood, call (314) 303-7240 or schedule a termite inspection.

Local reference: University of Missouri Extension information on subterranean termites.