Quick Answer
Termite exit holes are round, about 1/8 inch or smaller, and often plugged with a brown, plaster-like material made of chewed wood and droppings. They are most common with drywood termites. Subterranean termites usually do not leave visible holes in wood — instead, they build mud tubes on foundations and walls. If you find small round holes with brown filling near wood, floors, or furniture, treat it as a serious warning sign and inspect further.
Small round holes in wood, drywall, or furniture are one of the clearest visual signs that termites have been active in your home. But not every small hole is a termite hole — carpenter bees, powderpost beetles, and even carpenter ants leave similar-looking damage, and each one calls for a different response.
This guide walks through what termite holes actually look like, where you’re most likely to find them (in seven common spots), how to tell them apart from other insect damage, and what to do next if the signs point to termites.
What Do Termite Holes Look Like?
When termites reach the surface of drywall, wood, or furniture, they sometimes chew a small round exit hole — usually so swarming reproductives (called termite swarmers) can leave the nest and start new colonies. After the swarm, worker termites seal the hole from inside to keep humidity and temperature stable in the colony.
Typical features of a termite exit hole:
- Shape: round and clean-cut, not jagged
- Size: about 1/8 inch (3 mm) or smaller
- Filling: often plugged with a brown, plaster-like material — chewed wood mixed with termite droppings (frass)
- Pattern: multiple small holes clustered along a section of wood, baseboard, or drywall
- Location: usually on wood or wood-adjacent surfaces, often near floors, window frames, or door frames
If the swarm has already happened and the colony has moved on, the holes may look open and unplugged. If the infestation is fresh or ongoing, most holes will be sealed with the tan-brown filling.
Important: subterranean termites — the most common and destructive type in the US — usually do not leave visible exit holes in wood. They travel from the soil through mud tubes and stay hidden. If you don’t see holes but suspect termites, check for mud tubes on foundations instead.
Termite Holes vs Other Insects — Quick ID
Small round holes in wood are not unique to termites. Several other pests leave similar damage, and each one needs a different treatment. Use this quick comparison to narrow it down:
| Insect | Hole Size | Key Sign | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Termites (drywood) | ~1/8 inch, round | Brown plaster-like plug; frass pellets below | Wood, drywall, furniture, floors |
| Powderpost beetles | 1/16 to 1/8 inch, round | Very fine, flour-like sawdust | Hardwoods, floors, antique furniture |
| Carpenter bees | 1/2 inch, perfectly round | Coarse sawdust below entrance | Exposed outdoor wood (eaves, decks, siding) |
| Carpenter ants | Irregular slits or tunnels | Coarse wood shavings; smooth galleries inside | Damp wood, wall voids |
| Subterranean termites | Rarely visible holes | Mud tubes on foundation or walls | Ground level, crawl space, basement |
If you also see winged insects near windows during a warm afternoon, they may be reproductive termites — check our guide on flying ants vs flying termites to tell them apart in seconds.
Where You’ll Find Termite Holes — 7 Places to Check
Termite exit holes can show up almost anywhere wood is exposed or hidden inside your home. Here are the seven most common spots, with what to look for in each.
1. Termite Holes in Drywall
Small round holes in drywall are a classic termite warning sign — book an inspection right away.
Drywall holes are one of the earliest visible signs of a mature termite infestation inside a wall cavity. The holes are small and easy to miss, especially against textured or painted surfaces. Look near baseboards, corners, and door or window frames, and check for a faint brown or tan smudge around each hole — that’s the plaster-like plug.
If you find drywall holes, don’t just patch them. Review the full checklist in our guide to the 10 signs of termite infestation before deciding on treatment.
2. Termite Holes in Wood
Termite exit holes in structural wood — a sign of active or recent drywood termite activity.
Holes in wood are the most classic termite sign, and they appear most often in late spring and summer when swarmers leave the colony. Check exposed beams, wooden trim, window sills, and any wood that stays warm and dry.
If the wood also feels hollow when tapped, or if you see blistered paint and rippled surfaces, the damage may go deeper than the holes suggest. See our guide to termite damage vs water damage to check whether the wood is structurally compromised.
Found Fresh Holes? Spot-Treat the Wood
For visible exit holes with signs of recent activity (fresh frass, brown filling that flakes off), a professional-grade foam like Termidor Foam is designed to inject directly into termite galleries through the holes. It expands to reach hidden tunnels and delivers a non-repellent active ingredient the termites carry back to the colony.
3. Termite Holes in Floors
Termite holes and surface damage on a wooden floor.
Floor damage is a serious warning because termites usually reach flooring only after they’ve been feeding inside subflooring or joists for months. Look for small holes along seams between planks, near walls, or under rugs — anywhere wood meets wood. Sagging spots, hollow-sounding boards, and unexplained sawdust nearby are red flags to check alongside the holes.
4. Termite Holes in Furniture
Termite exit holes in wooden furniture — click to zoom.
Furniture holes are usually easier to inspect than structural holes because you can move the piece, tilt it, and check every side in good light. Antique wooden pieces, wooden legs, and drawer bottoms are the most common spots. If you find holes, isolate the piece from the rest of your furniture right away to avoid spreading the infestation.
5. Termite Holes in the Ground
Small round openings in the soil can be exits from a nearby subterranean termite colony.
Small holes in the soil around your foundation are often the first sign of subterranean termites. Unlike drywood termites, these species live in the ground and travel through the soil, so their surface signs are usually mud tubes and swarmer exit points in the dirt.
If you find holes in the ground near your home, the standard professional response is a soil-applied liquid termiticide that creates a treated barrier around the foundation. Learn more in our guide to the best termiticide for soil treatment, which compares Termidor SC and Taurus SC (the two most common non-repellent products used by pros).
State restrictions apply: Termidor SC and Taurus SC are not for sale in some states (including MA, MN, NY) and require licensed applicators in others. Always check your state before ordering.
6. Termite Holes in Trees
When termites feed inside a tree, they often leave residue and small exit holes visible on the trunk.
Termite activity in a tree is not always a threat to your house, but it’s worth checking — especially if the tree is within a few feet of the foundation. Termites in nearby stumps, dead limbs, or old landscape timbers can migrate toward the home. If you spot exit holes or piles of fine debris at the base of a tree close to the house, treat it as a nearby colony worth removing or treating.
7. Termite Holes on Foundations and Concrete
Termites do not chew through concrete, but they exploit any existing crack, expansion joint, or gap around plumbing to reach the wood above. What looks like a “hole in the foundation” is usually a natural gap that termites are using as a highway. Look closely along the foundation’s soil line for:
- Pencil-thin mud tubes climbing from soil to siding
- Small mud smears in cracks or expansion joints
- Frass or fine wood dust in cobwebs near the base of the wall
These are the calling cards of subterranean termites. Full guide: termite mud tubes on your foundation.
Are the Holes Active? How to Check
An old, abandoned termite hole is not an emergency — but an active infestation is. Here’s a simple homeowner test to tell the difference before you spend money on treatment:
- Clear the hole. Gently brush away any dust, plug, or frass around one or two holes.
- Cover with masking tape. Place a small piece of light-colored painter’s tape over the hole and press it flat.
- Wait 24–72 hours. If the hole is active, workers will chew through the tape or push a fresh plug of brown material against it.
- Check for fresh frass. Vacuum any old debris below the hole and check again in a day or two — new pellets mean active feeding.
Termites are secretive by nature, and even active colonies can go weeks without visible signs. If you’re not sure, don’t wait — see why termites are so hard to detect and why a professional inspection often finds damage that homeowners miss.
Cost of Termite Treatment (DIY vs Pro)
Cost depends on which type of termite you have, how far the infestation has spread, and whether you can reach the damage yourself. Rough ranges homeowners can expect in 2026:
- DIY spot treatment (foam or aerosol): $20–$70 per product, best for isolated visible holes
- DIY soil treatment (Taurus SC / Termidor SC): $50–$400 per bottle; treats the perimeter of an average home
- Professional inspection: often free or $75–$150 (see our guide to termite inspection cost)
- Full professional treatment: typically $500–$2,500+ depending on method (liquid barrier, bait system, or fumigation)
Not sure whether to DIY? Read our honest breakdown: is DIY termite treatment worth it?
What to Do If You Find Termite Holes
Once you’ve confirmed the holes look like termite holes and the activity test suggests they’re fresh, take action quickly. Waiting weeks can turn a $70 spot treatment into a $2,000 repair job.
DIY Spot Treatment — 3 Options
1. Termidor Foam — Pro-grade, best overall
Injects directly into exit holes and galleries. Non-repellent fipronil is carried back to the colony. Same product professionals use.
2. Spectracide Terminate Killing Foam — Budget consumer option
Widely available, easy to use, good for very small localized problems. Less residual activity than Termidor.
3. TERRO Termite Killer Aerosol — Easy spray, single hole use
Simple aerosol nozzle for direct injection into visible holes. Good for homeowners who want a quick, no-mess DIY option.
For a full comparison of these and other spot treatments, see our guide: Best Termite Sprays for Spot Treatment.
When to Call a Professional
DIY spot treatments work best for small, visible, isolated damage. Call a pro if any of these apply:
- You find termite holes in more than one room or on more than one floor
- The damage extends into structural wood (joists, beams, subfloor)
- You see mud tubes on the foundation (subterranean termite activity)
- The activity test shows fresh sealing after 24–48 hours
Not sure who to call? Compare types of pest control services and typical costs: Which Pest Control Pro Do You Need?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do termites leave holes in walls?
Yes, but usually in drywall covering a wall cavity where termites are active, not in the wall structure itself. The holes are small (about 1/8 inch), round, and often plugged with a brown plaster-like material. If you see this pattern, check for other signs of termite infestation before deciding on treatment.
How big is a termite hole?
A typical termite exit hole is around 1/8 inch (3 mm) in diameter — small enough that a pencil tip fits comfortably inside. Anything larger than 1/4 inch is usually a carpenter bee or another wood-boring insect, not a termite.
Why do termites leave holes?
Exit holes are created almost exclusively by drywood termites so that reproductive swarmers can leave the nest and start new colonies. Worker termites then seal the hole from inside to keep the colony’s environment stable. Subterranean termites rarely leave visible holes — they travel through mud tubes instead.
How do I know if termite holes are old or new?
Cover the hole with masking tape and check 24–72 hours later. If the tape is chewed through or a fresh brown plug appears, the colony is active. Also look for fresh frass (termite droppings) collecting below the hole after you’ve cleaned the area.
Are termite holes dangerous?
The holes themselves are cosmetic, but they signal that termites have been feeding inside the wood, drywall, or furniture — which can cause serious structural damage over months and years. Treat every confirmed termite hole as a warning to inspect further, not a standalone problem to patch.
Can I fill termite holes myself?
Only after you’ve killed the colony. Filling the holes with wood filler or caulk without treating the termites simply hides the problem while damage continues underneath. Treat first (spot foam, soil treatment, or professional service), confirm the activity has stopped, then fill and repair.
Do all termites make holes in wood?
No. Only drywood termites regularly create visible exit holes. Subterranean termites — the most common type in the US — stay hidden and travel through mud tubes on foundations and walls. If you suspect termites but don’t see holes, check for mud tubes instead.
Termite holes vs carpenter bee holes — how do I tell them apart?
Size is the fastest tell. Carpenter bee holes are about 1/2 inch across and perfectly round, usually on outdoor wood like eaves, decks, or fascia boards, with coarse sawdust below. Termite holes are much smaller (about 1/8 inch), usually indoors, and often plugged with a brown plaster-like material.
Sources
- US EPA — Termites: How to Identify and Control Them
- University of Kentucky Entomology — Termite Control: Answers for Homeowners
- UC IPM — Drywood and Dampwood Termites Pest Notes
Related Guides
- Drywood Termites: Signs, Damage, and Treatment
- Subterranean Termites: The Most Common (and Destructive) Type
- Mud Tubes on Your Foundation? What to Do
- Termite Frass or Sawdust? Compare the Clues
- Termite Damage vs Water Damage: How to Tell
- Flying Ants or Termites? 3 Fast Clues
- Best Termite Sprays for Spot Treatment
- Best Termiticide for Soil Treatment
Thanks for mentioning that certain types of termites don’t show any sign of exit holes in wood because they create nests under the soil. My wife and I have noticed that there are small termites around our kitchen, but we haven’t been able to detect any exit holes nearby. We will check in with a specialist who can help us take care of our problem and figure out where they are coming from.
Do the drywood termites leave any residue on the floor?
Hello Kathy, drywood termites leave in the places where they have eaten or nested small piles of feces that like pellets. Drywood termites cause sagging floors, walls, and ceilings. Drywood termites may leave behind areas which look like to be water damaged.