Which of the following is NOT a typical sign of termite infestation?

• A. Fresh paint chipping around windows.
• B. Mud tubes.
• C. Hollowed wood.
• D. Discarded wings.

Answer: (B)

Termites leave signs that come from their behavior and feeding. Mud tubes are a classic indicator because subterranean termites build these soil-filled paths to travel from the ground to wood, so finding them on foundations or beams strongly suggests an active colony. Hollowed wood shows internal termite damage—the insects eat wood from the inside, leaving it sounding hollow when you tap it. Discarded wings point to a recent swarm, with the shed wings often found near windows or doors as termite colonies move in. Fresh paint chipping around windows isn’t specifically tied to termites; it typically signals moisture problems or wood decay from other causes. So the item that isn’t a typical termite sign is fresh paint chipping around windows.