The essentials in 30 seconds
The most common termites in homes are subterranean termites: they live in the soil, reach wood through mud tubes and eat it from the inside, leaving the surface almost intact. The signs are wood that sounds hollow or gives way, mud tubes on walls, skirting boards or pipes, swarms of winged insects in spring and piles of discarded wings on windowsills. Treatment is a job for a pest control company, usually with bait stations or a soil barrier, plus fixing the damp that attracts them.
- Leave mud tubes and swarms alone until a professional inspects: disturbing the colony spreads it.
- In blocks of flats, termites are usually a whole-building problem.
- Take photos of the signs before you call.
Termite, flying ant or woodworm
| Feature | Termite | Flying ant | Woodworm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body | No narrow waist; workers pale, swarmers dark | Pinched, narrow waist | Small beetle; you mostly see holes |
| Antennae | Straight | Elbowed | — |
| Wings | Four equal wings that snap off | Front wings longer than back wings | — |
| Damage to wood | Hollow galleries inside, often with soil, no sawdust outside | Does not eat wood | Round exit holes and fine powdery dust |
| Where | Soil, walls, wood in contact with damp | Outdoors and kitchens | Furniture, joists, floorboards, frames |
If you see small round holes with fine dust, read our guide to woodworm. If they are ants, read ants in the house.
Signs of termites at home
- Hollow wood: it sounds empty when tapped or a screwdriver sinks in easily.
- Mud tubes a few millimetres wide on walls, foundations, skirting boards or next to pipes. They are the most common sign of subterranean termites.
- Swarms of winged insects in spring, often after rain, and discarded wings piled on windowsills. Sometimes the wings are the only visible clue.
- Bubbling paint or wallpaper over wood with no obvious damp.
- Doors and frames that suddenly stick or warp.
- Persistent damp on the ground floor, in cellars or by leaks.
A swarm of winged termites shows there is a colony nearby, but not necessarily in your home: an inspection tells you.
How termites are treated
| Treatment | How it works | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Bait stations | Stations in the ground or indoors with a slow-acting product that workers carry back to the colony | Common in homes and buildings; needs follow-up visits |
| Soil barrier | Product applied to the soil or walls so termites cannot pass | When the perimeter can be treated |
| Wood injection | Product injected into affected timber | As a complement for damaged wood |
| Replacing timber | Removing and replacing damaged pieces | When the wood has lost its strength |
How to keep termites away
- Fix damp: leaks, rising damp and water getting in. Termites need moisture.
- Keep wood off the soil: firewood, pallets and old timber stacked against the walls attract them.
- Ventilate cellars, crawl spaces and underfloor voids.
- Inspect frames, skirting boards and timber stairs once a year, especially in spring.
Termites in a block of flats
Colonies can reach several homes and shared areas. Tell the building manager or the community of owners: perimeter and shared-area treatment is usually agreed for the whole building, and treating just one flat is rarely enough.
Termites: frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have termites?
Hollow-sounding wood, mud tubes on walls or pipes, spring swarms and piles of discarded wings.
Are flying termites the same as flying ants?
No. Termites have straight antennae, no narrow waist and four equal wings; ants have elbowed antennae and a pinched waist.
Can I treat termites myself?
It is not recommended. Colonies live in the soil and need professional baits or barriers, with follow-up.
Should I break the mud tubes?
Leave them for the inspector: they show where the termites are travelling.
Are there termites in the UK?
They are very rare in the UK. They are common in Spain and the rest of southern Europe.
Does the community of owners have to act?
In a block of flats, termites usually affect shared areas, so treatment is normally agreed for the whole building.
Sources
Official and university guidance, checked on 24 October 2026.
- University of California IPM · Subterranean and other termites ↗Mud tubes as the most common sign, swarms and wings, and how termites are managed.
- Penn State Extension · Eastern subterranean termites ↗Discarded wings and swarms as signs, and where to look for tubes.
- Real Decreto 1054/2002, biocides (BOE, Spain) ↗Article 27: register of pest control companies (ROESB).
Suspect termites?
Photograph the tubes, wings or damaged wood and note where they are before you book an inspection.