Early Signs of Termites in Your Home (Central Coast Guide)

Dylan Demont
Nov 18, 2025
2 min read

Why Early Termite Detection Matters

Termites cause millions of dollars in structural damage across Australia every year.Here on the Central Coast, our humidity, rain and sandy soils create perfect conditions for termites to stay active all year.

Most homeowners don’t realise they have termites until the damage is already severe.Spotting the early signs can save you thousands.

1. Mud Tubes Along Walls or Foundations

Mud tubes (mud trails) are one of the clearest early signs of subterranean termites.

You’ll usually find them:

Along brick walls
In subfloors
Under homes
Near hot water systems
Behind garden beds
On piers and slab edges

If you break a tube open and see creamy-white insects = active termites.

2. Hollow or Soft Timber

Termites eat wood from the inside out.Timber can look perfect on the surface but be completely hollow underneath.

Check:

Skirting boards
Door frames
Window frames
Architraves
Garage frames
Decking
Subfloor timbers

Tap the timber — if it sounds hollow or papery, that’s a strong warning sign.

3. Blistered, Bulging or Warped Paint

A lot of people mistake this for water damage.But when termites tunnel close to the timber surface, the paint starts to bubble or ripple.

If the wood underneath feels soft, it’s almost always termite activity.

4. Termite Droppings (Frass)

Drywood termites leave behind tiny sand-like pellets.

Look for:

Small piles of fine, grainy dust
Coffee-grain sized pellets
Sand-like material along skirting boards or window sills

While drywood termites are less common in NSW, they’re not rare — especially in older homes.

5. Flying Termites (Alates)

Flying termites appear during warm, humid weather to start new colonies.

Signs you’re looking at termites (not ants):

Straight antennae
Two large wings the same size
Wings fall off and gather in piles

Finding alates inside your home is a major red flag — a nest is nearby.

6. Tight or Sticking Doors and Windows

As termites eat and produce moisture, timber begins to warp or swell.This can make doors and windows suddenly hard to open.

If it happens out of nowhere, check the surrounding frames.

7. Clicking or Tapping Noises in the Walls

Termites can be surprisingly noisy.Soldiers bang their heads to signal danger, creating a faint ticking or clicking sound.

If you hear unusual noises in quiet rooms, it’s worth investigating.

Why Central Coast Homes Are High-Risk

The Central Coast provides perfect termite conditions:

Warm temperatures
High humidity
Frequent rain
Loose sandy soil
Many older timber homes

These factors mean termites stay active almost year-round.

What To Do If You See Termite Signs

Do NOT spray them with Mortein or disturb the area — this forces termites deeper into the structure.

Instead:

Take photos
Don’t touch or break the timber
Book a professional inspection ASAP

Smash Pest Control uses Fipronil chemical barriers, moisture meters, and thermal imaging to locate and eliminate termite colonies properly.

Book a Termite Inspection

If you’ve seen any of these early signs, the sooner you act, the less damage occurs.

Smash Pest Control – Termite Inspections & Barriers (Central Coast)✔ Full termite inspections✔ Chemical barrier treatments (Fipronil)✔ Honest advice✔ Fast response

Call: 0447 088 762

Website: smashpest.com.au