What is a common sign of termite infestation?

Mud tubes on walls or foundations are a significant and common sign of termite infestation, particularly for subterranean termites. These tubes serve a crucial purpose; they protect the termites from the dry air and help them maintain the necessary humidity levels as they travel between their underground colonies and their food sources, such as wooden structures. The presence of these tubes is often one of the first indicators that homeowners and pest control professionals look for when diagnosing a potential termite problem.

While crumbling wood, visible wings, and squeaky floorboards may suggest other types of damage or pest activity, they do not specifically identify a termite infestation as effectively as mud tubes do. Crumbling wood can be a sign of decay or other pests; visible wings typically indicate swarming behavior during mating season, which can happen without a current infestation; and squeaky floorboards can occur simply due to normal settling or other non-pest-related factors. Thus, the identification of mud tubes is the most definitive sign of active termites in an area.