The 12 Signs Of Termites To Watch For While Your Holiday Decor Is Out
- Jameson Elam
- Dec 25, 2025
- 6 min read
About the Author: Jameson Elam is the owner and operator of Good Sense Termite, serving Alameda, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties. With over 14 years of hands-on experience in the termite control industry, Jameson specializes in thorough inspections, accurate diagnostics, and long-term solutions tailored to California homes. His deep knowledge of local termite behavior and building structures has made Good Sense Termite a trusted name for homeowners and real estate professionals alike.
Holiday Decor Time Is Also Hidden Termite Time
During the holiday season, most people finally go into the parts of the house they ignore all year:
Attics
Garages
Closets
Under stair storage
Sometimes even the crawlspace
You go in to grab boxes of lights and decorations. While you are there, you pass right by the places termites like to work quietly.
You do not need to turn decoration day into a full inspection. But if you know what to look for, you can spot early warning signs without much extra effort.
Here are 12 signs worth paying attention to while your holiday decor is out.
1. Small Wings On Window Sills Or In Corners
If you see small, shed wings near windows, baseboards, or light sources, that can be a sign that termite swarmers were active at some point.
Termite swarmers drop their wings once they land
Wings are often found in tidy piles or scattered clusters
This can be fresh or old, so it is worth checking further
2. Tiny Pellet Piles (Frass) On Surfaces Or Inside Boxes
Drywood termite frass looks like small, hard pellets, often in small piles.
You might see it:
On window sills
On furniture
Inside cardboard storage boxes
On the floor under wall trim
If you keep vacuuming or sweeping up “mystery dust” in the same spot, it might not be dust.
3. Hollow Or Thin Sounding Wood When Tapped
While you are moving decor, if you tap:
Door frames
Window trim
Baseboards
Exposed beams
and they sound hollow, thin, or papery in spots, that can indicate internal galleries.
You do not need to go around knocking on everything. Just pay attention if something feels “off” when you bump or move it.
4. Cracked Or Sagging Baseboards Near The Floor
Baseboards that start to separate from the wall, buckle slightly, or crack can be a sign of:
Moisture behind the wall
Termites eating the framing or sill plate behind them
Movement in the subfloor
If you see repeated cracking on the same wall near the floor, especially on the lower level, that is worth noting.
5. Spongy Or Uneven Flooring In Certain Spots
Dragging a tree stand or storage bin across the floor can make soft spots stand out.
Signs include:
A small dip when you step in a certain place
Tile or hardwood that feels bouncy
Grout that cracks repeatedly in one area
This is especially important near:
Bathrooms
Kitchens
Laundry rooms
Areas above a crawlspace
6. Mud Tubes On Foundation Walls Or Piers
If you step outside to hang lights or check outlets, take a quick look at:
The foundation stem wall
Concrete piers under decks
Edges of the garage foundation
Pencil thin mud tubes can be a sign of Subterranean termites moving between soil and wood.
Sometimes tubes are old and dry, sometimes they are fresh and active. Either way, they deserve a closer look.
7. Wood Or Siding Touching Soil Around Decor Areas
Many people place holiday decorations in planter beds, along walkways, and near front entries.
While you are out there:
Check for siding that sits below soil level
Look for steps or wood trim that rest directly on dirt
Note any garden borders or sleepers touching the structure
This earth to wood contact is a classic Subterranean termite risk, even if you do not see insects yet.
8. Musty Smell Or Damp Air In Attic Or Crawlspace
When you grab boxes from the attic or peek into the crawlspace hatch, pay attention to the air.
Signs to note:
Strong musty smell
Air that feels damp or heavy
Visible moisture on insulation, pipes, or framing
Moisture does not prove termites are present, but it tells you the environment is suitable for both fungus and Subterranean activity.
9. Drooping Insulation Or Materials Hiding Joists
In the attic or crawlspace, look for:
Insulation falling down
Batts that hide joists and beams
Stored items pressed up against framing
Sagging insulation can hide early termite or fungus damage. It can also trap moisture, which makes things worse over time.
10. Old Wood Or Cardboard Stored Directly Against Walls
Holiday storage habits can create risk:
Cardboard boxes stacked against exterior walls
Old wood scrap leaning next to the foundation
Decor stored directly on the slab or crawlspace soil
Loose cellulose material gives termites an easy food source and a bridge into more important wood.
Plastic bins on shelves are safer than cardboard on the floor.
11. Stains Or Dark Patches Under Sinks And Around Pipes
While you are reaching for cleaning supplies, wrapping paper, or candles under sinks, take a second to check for:
Old water stains
Active drips
Darkened or softened wood
Past or present leaks can weaken wood and attract both fungus and termites. Bathrooms and kitchens are classic repeat spots.
12. Cracks Around Door Frames Or Windows On One Side Of The House
When you hang wreaths or lights around entries and windows, you may notice:
Small gaps between trim and wall
Repeated cracks in the same corner
Slight shifting or sticking
On their own, minor cracks are normal in older homes. When they line up with moisture issues, soft floors, or other termite signs, they become more important.
What To Do If You Notice One Or More Of These Signs
You do not need to stop decorating and crawl through the entire structure. The best next steps are simple:
Take photos of anything suspicious
Wings, frass, tubes, damaged wood, damp areas
Make a short list
Note where you saw each sign
Include which room or side of the house it is on
Schedule an inspection
For homes not in escrow, we provide inspections at no cost
If you are in escrow, we offer fee based inspections that meet real estate needs
The point is not to diagnose everything yourself. It is to give a trained inspector enough information to focus on the right places quickly.
FAQ: Holiday Season And Termite Checks
Q: Do termites slow down in winter?
Termite activity can change with temperature and moisture, but in much of the Bay Area they remain active inside structures and in soil. Winter is not a safe zone for the house just because the air feels cooler.
Q: If I only see one sign from the list, should I still call?
If that one sign is wings, frass, or mud tubes, yes, it is smart to call. If it is something like a musty smell alone, you can still call, but it is even more helpful if you note other conditions too.
Q: Can I wait until after the holidays?
If you see clear signs of active termites, the sooner we look, the better. That said, we understand real life. Even if you book for early in the new year, getting on the schedule now is still a good idea.
Q: Will you explain what you find, or just hand me a report?
We walk you through the findings, show photos, and explain what is urgent, what is preventive, and what your options are. You should never feel lost reading a report.
Final Thoughts: One Extra Look While You Are Already Up There
You are already pulling out boxes, climbing ladders, and moving furniture for the holidays. Taking a few extra seconds to notice what is around you can give you a head start on protecting your home.
You do not have to hunt for problems. Just do not ignore them if they quietly show up. If this season reveals signs that something under, inside, or behind your walls is not quite right, we can help you sort out what is going on.
Schedule an inspection with Good Sense Termite. Enjoy the lights now, and let us worry about what is behind the walls. It is just Good Sense.
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