How Do You Know If You Have Termites in Indianapolis?–Termites are the ultimate sneaky freeloaders—quietly munching away on your home while you’re none the wiser. By the time you catch them, they’ve already racked up a repair bill that’ll make your wallet tremble.
We’ve been called in to dozens of homes that had no clue there was a problem—until a wall felt soft, or a baseboard cracked, or they found piles of mystery dust near the window.
So how do you know if you have termites? And when should you call a termite extermination company in Indianapolis?
Here’s what we tell homeowners every week.
Check the Wood—Not the Surface
Termites don’t usually chew where you can see them. They stay just beneath the paint. Just inside the trim. Just under the floor.
You tap the wood, and it sounds hollow. Or you press gently, and it gives a little. That’s when it’s time to take a closer look.
We’ve pulled back baseboards and found entire tunnels inside the drywall. And the homeowners had no idea.
That’s why regular termite inspections in Indianapolis matter. We know what to look for—even when the signs are subtle.
Mud Tubes Are a Red Flag
One of the clearest signs is mud tubes—thin dirt tunnels that termites use to move between the ground and your home.
You’ll usually find them along the foundation, basement walls, or crawlspaces. They’re easy to miss unless you’re checking specifically.
If you spot these, stop everything and call a termite extermination company in Indianapolis. That’s not something to wait on.
These tubes mean termites are active and moving. Right now.
Swarmers and Wings in Spring
In the spring, termites send out “swarmers”—winged termites looking to start new colonies. You might see them near windows, lights, or doors. Or just the wings they shed after they land.
We’ve had folks call us thinking they had flying ants. They didn’t. They had termites getting ready to set up shop.
If you see wings piled near a windowsill or bug shells in the corners, you’re way past the early stage.
That’s when you need immediate termite treatment in Indianapolis to stop them before they dig in.
The Damage Isn’t Always Obvious
We’ve worked homes where the outside looked perfect. No holes. No sawdust. No cracks.
But underneath the floorboards? A whole colony.
One client thought their dog had caused soft spots on the stairs. Turned out to be termite damage under the trim. Another noticed paint bubbling by the bathroom—termites again.
That’s why termite control in Indianapolis is about more than bugs. It’s about protecting the structure of your house.
Because once they’ve eaten through a beam or a floor joist, it’s not just pest control anymore—it’s a construction job.
Not Just for Older Homes
People think new homes are safe. They’re not.
We’ve treated brand-new builds where termites found their way in through utility lines or gaps in fresh concrete.
Indianapolis soil is termite-friendly. Once they’re in the area, age doesn’t matter. They’ll follow moisture, wood, or even cardboard stored in a garage.
If you’re buying, selling, or just haven’t had a checkup in a few years, it’s smart to get a termite inspection in Indianapolis done.
What Happens If You Ignore It?
We’ve had jobs where the homeowner waited too long. Thousands of dollars in damage. Insurance wouldn’t cover it. Repairs took months.
Termites don’t stop on their own. They stay quiet, chew slow, and cost you more the longer they’re there.
With professional termite removal in Indianapolis, we can stop it early—before it spreads to floors, ceilings, or framing.
If you catch it early, we’re usually in and out with minimal disruption. Wait too long, and the story changes.
What We Look For
We inspect basement walls, crawlspaces, wood trim, and window sills.
We check utility lines and roof gaps too.
Signs of moisture are a big red flag for termites.
Leaky pipes, poor ventilation, or clogged gutters make ideal conditions for them.
Every termite exterminator in Indianapolis should do this.
If they don’t, call someone else. Every termite extermination company in Indianapolis should be doing this. If they’re not? Call someone else.
When in Doubt, Call
You don’t need to know for sure. That’s our job.
We’ve had people say, “It’s probably nothing.” And it turned out to be something. We’ve also had folks panic over sawdust that turned out to be nothing at all.
We’ll check. We’ll explain. And we’ll fix it if there’s something to fix.
That’s how good pest control in Indianapolis works.
We help homeowners. We help businesses. We help people take back control from pests.
We listen. We inspect. We solve problems quickly, and we do it right the first time.
Need help now? Fill out a service request here or call us at 317-279-6474 .
We’re Green Shield Certified to protect your home or facility with expert pest control that works.
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