Termites often stay hidden while cellulose disappears. Warm, humid conditions in Kerala let subterranean and drywood narratives overlap—confirmation belongs to trained inspection, not guesswork—but these six cues are reliable prompts to escalate.

Why early detection matters

Catching galleries while they are shallow limits structural weakening, trims repair invoices, preserves resale confidence, and makes chemical or barrier plans easier to localize.

Six signs to photograph before cleaning

• Hollow or damaged wood that sounds dull when tapped, or shows jagged gouges.
• Mud tubes on plinths, pipe chases, or garage skins—mud “highways.”
• Discarded wings near sills—swarm debris, not “random dust.”
• Tight doors or windows without a humidity-only explanation.
• Bubbling or peeling paint/laminate resembling moisture rings from hidden feeding.
• Small piles of frass granular pellets resembling fine sawdust beside joints.

If you observe any of these

Avoid ripping tubes open theatrically; note locations, dates, and photos with scale reference, then arrange a documented inspection pathway. Acting while damage still looks cosmetic preserves budget and resale more reliably than delaying until fascia or trim fails visibly.