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Termites

DIY Termite Inspection: Signs to Check Around the Home

A homeowner termite inspection checklist for foundations, crawl spaces, attics, window frames, and moisture-prone areas.

6 min readUpdated July 2026Step-by-step guide

Photo confirmation checklist

Use these visual checks to compare the pest, the evidence, and the likely source area before choosing a treatment path.

Subterranean Termites

Pest profile

Subterranean Termites

Compare the body shape, color, size, and common hiding areas for this pest.

Drywood Termites

Pest profile

Drywood Termites

Compare the body shape, color, size, and common hiding areas for this pest.

Quick answer

What to know first

A DIY termite inspection does not replace a licensed inspection, but it helps homeowners spot warning signs early. The highest-risk areas are where wood, moisture, soil, cracks, and hidden voids overlap.

Check first

  • Pencil-width mud tubes on concrete or masonry
  • Wood that sounds hollow or breaks in layers
  • Tiny pellets below trim, furniture, or attic wood

Avoid this

  • Disturbing tubes, pellets, or damaged wood before documenting them
  • Assuming every pile of sawdust is termite evidence
  • Applying surface spray without locating the colony or entry route

Overview

A DIY termite inspection does not replace a licensed inspection, but it helps homeowners spot warning signs early. The highest-risk areas are where wood, moisture, soil, cracks, and hidden voids overlap.

Key signs to check

Pencil-width mud tubes on concrete or masonry
Wood that sounds hollow or breaks in layers
Tiny pellets below trim, furniture, or attic wood
Swarmer wings collected on sills or floors

What to do now

  1. 1Walk the exterior foundation and look for tubes, cracks, and moisture.
  2. 2Check crawl spaces, sill plates, joists, and support posts.
  3. 3Inspect window frames, door frames, and garage trim.
  4. 4Use photos and notes to track suspicious areas over time.

Prevention checklist

Maintain clearance between soil and exterior wood.
Keep gutters working and downspouts directed away from the home.
Remove cardboard, wood scraps, and cellulose debris from crawl spaces.
Schedule periodic professional inspections in termite-prone regions.

When to call a professional

Call a professional if you find active insects, mud tubes, swarmers, frass, or damage in framing, flooring, or support wood.

FAQ

How often should homes be checked?

Annual checks are reasonable in many areas, with more frequent checks after moisture problems or previous termite activity.

What looks like termite damage but is not?

Water damage, carpenter ant galleries, and powderpost beetle holes can look similar and need correct diagnosis.