Termites are quiet destroyers. Most infestations are underway for months before a homeowner sees any damage, because termites eat wood from the inside and stay out of sight.
If you live in Santa Clarita, Valencia, Saugus, Newhall or Canyon Country, knowing the early signs can save you a costly repair. Here’s what to look for, where to look and when to call for termite control.
Why Are Termites So Hard To Catch Early in Santa Clarita?
Termites hollow out wood while leaving the surface intact. Two species cause most of the damage in the Santa Clarita Valley, and each one hides in a different way.
- Western subterranean termites nest in the soil and travel up into your home through mud tubes. Santa Clarita’s summers are hot and dry, so these termites look for moisture from irrigated lawns, sprinkler overspray, leaky hose bibs and AC drip lines next to the foundation.
- Western drywood termites live inside the wood they eat and need no contact with soil. They’re common in attics, eaves, window frames and wood trim across Southern California (UC IPM).
Because neither species is easy to see, most homeowners notice something only after a door sticks or paint bubbles. By then, the damage has already begun.
Early Signs of Termites at a Glance
Here’s a quick checklist of what to look for and where to check:
- Hollow or papery wood: Wood that sounds hollow or dents easily when tapped. Check baseboards, door frames and window sills.
- Mud tubes: Pencil-width tunnels of soil. Check foundation walls, slab edges, crawl spaces and plumbing entry points.
- Discarded wings: Small piles of wings that are all the same size. Check window sills, door frames and light fixtures.
- Frass (drywood termite droppings): Tiny pellets that look like coarse pepper or sawdust. Check below wood beams, sills and attic woodwork.
- Sticking doors or windows: Frames that suddenly bind or warp. Check interior doors and wood-framed windows.
- Bubbling paint: Uneven, blistered paint on wood surfaces. Check trim, eaves and walls near wood framing.
Hollow or Papery-Sounding Wood Is a Telltale Warning Sign
Tap your baseboards, door frames and window sills with the handle of a screwdriver. Healthy wood sounds solid. Wood that sounds hollow, feels soft or flakes like paper may have termites feeding inside it.
This is especially worth checking in older wood-frame homes in Newhall and Canyon Country, where the framing has had decades of exposure.
Mud Tubes Along Your Foundation Mean Termites Are on the Move
Subterranean termites dry out quickly in open air. To travel between the soil and your home, they build mud tubes about the width of a pencil.
Walk the outside of your home and look along foundation walls and slab edges. Inside, check crawl spaces, garage walls and the spots where plumbing comes up through the slab. Pay extra attention to areas that stay damp, like beside sprinkler heads or under an AC condensate line. Even one small tube is a sign of an active colony nearby.
Discarded Wings and Frass Are Two Clues You Shouldn’t Overlook
When a termite colony matures, it sends out winged swarmers to start new colonies. After they land, the swarmers shed their wings. Small piles of wings near windows, door frames or light fixtures are a strong sign that termites are nearby.
Termite wings are all the same length. Flying ant wings are uneven, with the front pair longer than the back. Our guide to the differences between ants and termites covers more ways to tell them apart.
Drywood termites also leave behind frass, small pellets that look like coarse pepper or sawdust. They push it out of tiny holes in the wood. If a pile under a beam, sill or attic rafter keeps coming back after you clean it up, the termites are still active.
When Do Termites Swarm in Santa Clarita?
Subterranean termites usually swarm on warm, sunny afternoons after a soaking spring or fall rain. Drywood termites swarm during the day in summer and fall. Subterranean activity slows down from about November to February (UC IPM).
- Western subterranean termites: Swarm in spring and fall, usually on warm, clear days after a soaking rain.
- Western drywood termites: Swarm in summer and fall, during the day on warm, sunny days.
If you see swarmers indoors, don’t spray them with store-bought products. Note where you found them and call for an inspection. For regional swarm timelines across the state, see our California Termite Report 2026.
Sticking Doors, Bubbling Paint, and Other Subtle Home Changes
Termite damage to door and window framing can cause them to warp or bind. Many homeowners blame this on the weather. Termites also bring moisture into the wood, which can make paint bubble or look uneven.
On its own, either sign doesn’t prove you have termites. But if you notice one alongside mud tubes, wings or frass, it’s time to have your home inspected.
When Should You Call for Professional Termite Control in the Santa Clarita Valley?
You don’t need to wait for visible damage. Catching termites early usually means a smaller, less costly treatment. A licensed inspector can find activity inside walls, under floors and in attic spaces that’s hard to see on your own.
UC IPM recommends a professional termite inspection every 3 to 5 years. Homes with a history of termites should be inspected more often.
Dewey’s local Santa Clarita team serves homeowners throughout the valley, including Valencia, Newhall and Canyon Country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first signs of termites in a house?
The earliest signs are usually small piles of discarded wings near windows, mud tubes on the foundation, and frass that looks like coarse pepper below wood surfaces. Wood that sounds hollow when tapped is another early clue. Many homeowners see swarmers or wings before they notice any structural damage.
Are mud tubes always a sign of termites?
In Santa Clarita, pencil-width mud tubes on a foundation or slab are almost always made by subterranean termites. Break off a small section and check back in a few days. If the tube has been rebuilt, the colony is active. Either way, have a licensed inspector confirm it.
How often should I get a termite inspection in Santa Clarita?
UC IPM recommends a professional inspection every 3 to 5 years for most homes. If your home has had termites before, has wood in contact with soil or has irrigation right next to the foundation, schedule inspections more often. An inspection is also standard when buying or selling a home.
Will termites go away on their own?
No. Once a subterranean or drywood colony is established, it keeps feeding and growing until it’s treated. Colonies can stay active in the same structure for years. Early treatment limits the damage and usually costs less than repairing framing later.
Schedule a Free Termite Inspection in Santa Clarita
Termites won’t leave on their own, but catching them early puts you back in control. If you’ve spotted any of these signs, or it’s been a few years since your last inspection, contact Dewey to schedule a free inspection with our Santa Clarita team.