Mud tubes on a wall or foundation
Subterranean termites build shelter tubes between soil and feeding areas. An earthen line on a stem wall, garage surface, or other part of a building deserves attention. University of Arizona Extension describes mud tubes as a useful inspection clue. University of Arizona: Termite Management for Homeowners (PDF).
Take a wide photograph showing the location, then a close-up. Note whether the line is indoors or outdoors and when you first saw it. Leave the evidence available for the inspector rather than cleaning or painting over it before the visit.
Wings and pellets need different questions
Termite swarmers have wings of roughly equal length; winged ants have longer front wings and elbowed antennae. Small or damaged specimens can still be difficult to identify. EPA: Termites—How to Identify and Control Them.
Drywood termites can leave hard fecal pellets below small openings in wood. Pellets alone cannot establish whether activity is current or how far it extends. UC IPM also notes that wood debris and other pests can confuse identification. UC IPM: Drywood Termites.
If you can do so without reaching into a wall or climbing, photograph the material where it lies. Include the window, trim, furniture, or ceiling above it in a second image. A close-up without a location may leave the inspecting business with more questions than answers.
Make a useful observation record
Our suggested record separates what you saw from what you think caused it:
- Location: “Garage, inside face of the east wall, beside the door.”
- Appearance: “A raised line of brown material,” rather than an unconfirmed species name.
- Date: First noticed, photographed, and any later change.
- Context: Recent repair work, a leak, cleaning, or earlier treatment in that area.
- Access: Whether storage, a locked room, or a fixed surface prevents a closer look.
Keep the original photos together. If you mark up a copy to point out a location, retain an unmarked version too. This is a homeowner communication aid, not an inspection finding.
An example of a useful message to the inspector
Illustrative example: “I noticed a brown line beside the inside garage door on Saturday. I have attached a photo of the whole wall and a close-up. There are boxes along the same wall. We have an older treatment invoice but cannot find the warranty. What should we make accessible before your visit?”
This gives the business a location, a timeline, and an access question without turning your observation into an unconfirmed diagnosis. Download a blank observation record (CSV) to keep those details together.
Next, use our inspection preparation checklist to arrange the appointment. If you want to understand why tubes and pellets lead to different questions, read the Arizona termite-type comparison.
What to do after you find a clue
Send the location and photos to the inspecting business and ask what service you need: identification, an inspection with a written report, or a treatment evaluation. If you are buying a home, mention the transaction deadline and ask the person requesting the report which deliverable is needed.
A photograph cannot show everything behind a finish or establish the condition of the entire structure. Avoid treating the absence of a visible insect in your picture as a final answer. Ask the inspector to explain both the finding and any area they could not assess.
Sources & scope
Our checklists and examples are educational suggestions. They are not property findings, a treatment prescription, or state-approved training. This guide has not been reviewed by a licensed pest professional.
- University of Arizona: Termite Management for Homeowners (PDF)2005 publication; used for termite evidence and habitat distinctions.
- UC IPM: Drywood TermitesBiology and detection reference; California rules are not applied to Arizona.
- EPA: Termites—How to Identify and Control ThemConsumer identification, prevention, and treatment overview.