Florida has the highest termite pressure in the United States — and Orlando is at the epicenter. Central Florida is home to three termite species of concern: Eastern subterranean termites, Formosan subterranean termites (by far the most destructive), and drywood termites. The Formosan species in particular builds enormous colonies that can cause devastating structural damage, yet infestations are typically invisible for 2–3 years before any obvious signs appear.
After 19 years treating Central Florida homes, here are the seven warning signs I see most often — and what each one means for your situation.
1. Swarmers (Flying Termites) Indoors
Termite swarmers are reproductive termites with wings. Finding them indoors — particularly near window sills, door frames, or light fixtures — is often the first visible sign of an established colony nearby. Swarmers themselves don't eat wood; they're the colony's reproduction phase. But their presence means an active colony is within a few hundred feet of your home, often already inside it.
Don't confuse termite swarmers with flying ants — termites have equal-length wings, straight antennae, and a thick waist. Flying ants have two different wing sizes, elbowed antennae, and a narrow waist.
2. Discarded Wings
After swarming, termites shed their wings. Small piles of discarded wings near window sills, sliding door tracks, or baseboards — looking like fish scales — are a strong indicator that swarmers have recently entered or exited the structure.
3. Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites (the most common Florida species) build mud tubes — pencil-width tunnels of soil and cellulose — to travel between soil and wood without exposure to open air. These tubes run along foundation walls, piers, plumbing penetrations, and floor joists in crawl spaces. Finding mud tubes on your foundation or in a crawl space is a confirmed infestation, not just a risk.
4. Hollow-Sounding Wood
Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving a hollow shell. Tap suspect areas — particularly door frames, window frames, baseboards, and structural posts — with a screwdriver handle. A dull, hollow sound indicates potential termite consumption. Probe with a screwdriver: if the wood penetrates easily or caves in, the damage is significant.
5. Frass (Termite Droppings)
Drywood termites push their droppings (frass) out of small holes in infested wood. Frass looks like sand or sawdust and accumulates in small piles below the exit holes. Finding frass piles — particularly near wooden furniture, door frames, or attic trusses — is a strong indicator of drywood termite activity.
6. Stuck Doors and Windows
Termite damage causes wood to swell and warp in ways that aren't always visible. If doors or windows that previously operated smoothly are suddenly sticking — particularly if the home hasn't had weather changes — it can be a sign of termite damage in the surrounding frame.
7. Visible Wood Damage Patterns
Advanced termite damage creates characteristic patterns: a maze of tunnels running parallel to the wood grain, sometimes with soil packed inside. If you notice paint that looks blistered or cracked, or flooring that feels spongy in spots, probe underneath — termite damage is often the cause in Florida homes.
If you're seeing any of these signs, the most important thing is speed. Termite colonies grow and cause exponentially more damage over time. We offer free inspections throughout the Orlando metro with a written findings report — no pressure, just an honest assessment.