8 Warning Signs Of A Termite Infestation You Shouldn’t Ignore

One of the clearest visual indicators of a termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes or tunnels. Termites construct these pencil-thin tubes to maintain a moist, protected pathway from their underground nest to your home’s timber. Made from a mixture of soil, saliva and excrement, the tubes shield termites from light and predators while helping them retain the humidity they need to survive.

• Keep an eye out for mud tracks running vertically along brickwork, concrete stumps, or timber cladding.
• Subfloor piers, garage walls and garden-facing external walls are common areas where these tubes appear.
• Mud tubes may also be found inside your home—along skirting boards or behind stored items in damp areas.
• Avoid breaking them open; this can scatter the termites and make it harder for pest control technicians to assess the extent of the infestation.

Spotting these tubes early allows for a quicker pest control response—potentially preventing widespread damage and costly repairs.

It’s common for timber to expand slightly during seasonal humidity, but termites could be the hidden culprit if your doors and windows start sticking or jamming without a clear reason. As termites feed on the timber around door and window frames, the structural integrity begins to weaken. This can cause the timber to swell, warp or shift out of alignment, affecting how easily the fixtures open or close.

• Doors may feel jammed in the frame despite mild weather.
• Windows might be difficult to open, catching on the frame.
• External doors and windows are especially vulnerable in humid environments.

This subtle change in movement often hints at serious problems within the framework.

When termites swarm to start a new colony, they shed their wings—leaving piles of delicate, translucent fragments near doors, windows, or light sources. These discarded wings are a sure sign of breeding activity and colony expansion.

• Wings typically appear in late spring or after rain.
• Piles are often found on windowsills, patios, and under light fittings.
• Unlike ants, termites have uniform-sized wings.

If you’ve spotted wings recently, it's time to call in pest control experts.

If your floorboards rise or your paint starts bubbling without signs of a water leak, termites may be working beneath the surface. Their tunnelling produces moisture, which distorts timber and paint.

• Paint may blister or peel in straight lines following timber joints.
• Floorboards might feel ‘spongy’ or bounce slightly underfoot.
• Gaps between boards could indicate warping due to internal damage.

This symptom is easily misdiagnosed as water damage—professional pest identification is key.

While termites may be silent invaders, they’re not always quiet. As they go about their work, certain noises can become surprisingly noticeable—especially in the stillness of night. Worker termites are constantly chewing through timber, and soldier termites make distinctive clicking or head-banging sounds against the walls of their tunnels to signal danger to the colony. These subtle noises are often one of the earliest audible clues that something isn’t right.

• Clicking or tapping may come from internal walls.
• Sounds are often detected in walls shared with the garden or subfloor areas.
• The noise may be rhythmic or erratic, depending on termite activity.

Using a stethoscope or simply placing your ear against the wall can reveal what's lurking inside.

Drywood termites—less common but still found in some parts of Albury Wodonga—leave behind droppings known as frass. These resemble tiny mounds of sawdust or coffee grounds and may appear near timber furniture or windowsills.

• Found beneath or around wooden trims, vents, or fixtures
• Droppings are hard & granular, unlike regular dust.
• Often, this is a sign the infestation has been active for a while.

Identifying frass early gives pest removal teams a head start in addressing the colony.