Home > Termite Infestation in Stucco Homes

A Guide to Termites in Stucco Homes

So, you've got a stucco house and a termite problem? Or maybe just a termite fear ? Let's figure this out.
Disclaimer: Visuals are included to demonstrate typical signs, tools, and methods related to termite control. They’re examples only and may not depict actual homes or pests.

People think termites eat stucco. You see their mud tubes snaking across the walls and think, "They're eating my house!" This is a common, and dangerous, mistake. The truth is a lot sneakier.

Termite mud tubes running up the exterior stucco wall of a house from the ground.

Do Termites Eat Stucco? (Spoiler: Nope)

Let's get this out of the way, termites do not eat stucco. Stucco is basically cement plaster, a mix of things like Portland cement, sand, and water. It’s inorganic, which means it has zero food value for an insect. 1, 4

Termites are all about one thing: cellulose. That's the organic stuff in wood, paper, and cardboard. Their guts are tiny biological factories built to digest it, and without it, they starve. 12

So why are they all over your stucco? They aren't eating it, they're using it. The stucco acts as a perfect shield, a secret tunnel giving them a safe path to the real prize, your home's wooden frame. 17

Stucco: The Perfect Termite Disguise

Termites are clever little survivalists. They use stucco as a protective cloak to get to the wood inside your house. It's not the meal, it's the dinner plate that hides the entire operation.

Subterranean termites, the most destructive kind in North America, live in the soil and need moisture to survive. They build little mud tubes (think climate-controlled highways) to travel safely from their nest to your walls. A stucco wall's bumpy surface is a great place to stick these tubes. 20, 23

Even worse, they can travel completely hidden. There's a small gap between the stucco and the wood sheathing of your house. Once termites find a way in, this gap is a superhighway, letting them munch on your home's frame for months or years without you ever knowing. 19, 27

Key Vulnerability: The small, hidden gap between your stucco and the wood sheathing is a termite superhighway. They can travel and cause extensive damage for years completely out of sight.

Termites can squeeze through a crack the thickness of a credit card. 29 They find tiny gaps around pipes or in the foundation and just waltz right in. 10 The hard stucco exterior and soft wood interior make a perfect setup for them.

How to Spot the Little Monsters

You're the first line of defense. Knowing the signs of a termite infestation can save you a world of hurt (and money). The clues get more serious over time, from little hints outside to big problems inside.

Early Signs: Mud Tubes

Look for mud tubes, the number one sign. They're pencil-thin tunnels made of dried mud running up from the ground onto your foundation or stucco. 20 On a textured wall, they can be hard to spot.

A close-up view of a termite mud tube on a stucco wall, showing its texture and construction.

To see if a tube is active, break a small piece off. If it’s repaired in a few days, you've got active termites. 20 Even old, crumbly tubes mean termites have been there before, so a professional inspection is a good idea. 38

Next-Level Clues: Weird Paint

Once they're inside chewing on wood, the moisture they create can make the paint on your stucco bubble, blister, or peel. 17 It might look like a simple water leak, but it could be termites. This means they've breached the walls and are actively doing damage. 39

Paint bubbling and peeling on an interior wall near the baseboard, indicating moisture damage from a hidden termite infestation.

Getting Serious: Hollow Sounds

If the infestation is bad, you might be able to hear it. Systematically tap on your stucco walls, especially near the foundation or windows. A hollow, papery, or dull thudding sound is a big red flag. 18

That hollow sound means the wood behind the stucco has been partially or completely eaten away. 43 In some spots, the wall might even feel soft or spongy when you press on it. 41

Code Red: Walls Are Bowing

The worst-case scenario? The walls start to sag, bow, or get a wavy look. You might see large, angular cracks forming as the wall shifts. 37 This means the termites have eaten so much wood your house is losing its structural support. Call a pro, like, yesterday.

The Termite Welcome Mat

The problem isn't the stucco itself, it's the weak spots. Think of the seams where stucco meets the ground, windows, and pipes. That's where the trouble usually starts.

The Weep Screed: Ground Zero

The biggest weak spot is where the stucco wall ends near the foundation. There should be a metal strip called a "weep screed." Building codes usually require a gap of at least four to six inches between this screed and the ground. 3, 27

The weep screed lets any moisture behind the stucco drain out. 45 That gap also gives you a clear line of sight to check for termites.

A diagram comparing a correctly installed weep screed with proper ground clearance to an incorrectly installed one covered by mulch, which allows termites access.

The most common and dangerous mistake is covering this weep screed with dirt, thick mulch, or a new patio. 27 This creates a "bridge," a hidden highway for termites to go straight from the soil into your walls, bypassing any chemical barriers. A huge number of infestations start this way.

Warning: The Mulch Bridge: Covering your weep screed with soil, mulch, or a patio is the single most common mistake homeowners make. This creates a direct, hidden path for termites to enter your walls, rendering soil treatments useless.

A Word on Synthetic Stucco (EIFS)

There's also synthetic stucco, or Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS), which has a foam board insulation layer. 58 If water gets trapped behind EIFS, it creates a damp paradise for termites. 49 They can then tunnel through the soft foam completely unseen, right to the wood frame. 61

Keeping Termites Out

You're not helpless. The best defense is good maintenance and smart landscaping, not just chemicals. You want to create a termite-unfriendly zone around your house.

Give Your House Some Space

Rule number one: keep at least a six-inch gap between the bottom of your stucco (the weep screed) and the ground, whether it's dirt, mulch, or gravel. 27 This stops termites from "bridging" the gap and lets you spot any mud tubes easily. Also, trim any bushes, vines, or branches touching the house. 37

Keep It Dry

Subterranean termites love moisture. 29 Clean your gutters and use downspout extensions to move rainwater at least three to four feet from the foundation. 53 Make sure the ground slopes away from your home so water doesn't pool against the walls. 67

Be Your Own Inspector

Walk around your house a couple of times a year. Look for mud tubes, bubbly paint, or new cracks in the stucco or foundation that need sealing. 19 And never, ever store firewood, scrap lumber, or cardboard right against your foundation. 53

So... You've Got Termites. Now What?

If you confirm you have termites, you need a pro, fast. The process has two parts: killing the colony and fixing the damage. And fixing termite damage in a stucco wall is not a simple patch job.

Getting Rid of the Colony

This is a job for a licensed pest control operator. 24 They might use a liquid termiticide barrier in the soil around your foundation. 38 As termites tunnel through this invisible barrier, they carry the poison back to the colony, eventually wiping it out. 72

Another option is baiting systems. A pro places in-ground stations around your home with a slow-acting bait. Termites eat it, carry it back to share, and eliminate the colony from the inside out. 37, 76

The Expensive Part: Repairs

Once the termites are gone, the real work begins. To fix the damage, large sections of stucco have to be cut away to get to the wooden frame underneath. It's a messy, labor-intensive process. 18

A construction site photo where a large section of stucco has been removed, revealing extensive termite damage to the wooden studs and sheathing underneath.

A carpenter then has to cut out and replace all the chewed-up wood, like sheathing and wall studs, to make the wall strong again. 79 This isn't handyman work, it's critical structural carpentry that keeps your home stable. 71

After the wood is fixed, a stucco mason has to come in. They'll install new weather barriers and lath, then apply new stucco, trying to match the old texture and color. 83 This whole process underscores why prevention is a high-return investment in preserving your home's value.

Works cited

  1. The Science Behind Stucco: Understanding Materials and Repair ..., https://www.monolitesystems.com/post/the-science-behind-stucco-understanding-materials-and-repair-techniques
  2. Portland Cement Stucco - Design Life-Cycle, http://www.designlife-cycle.com/stucco
  3. How is Stucco Made? - Ai Restoration, https://airestoration.com/how-is-stucco-made/
  4. www.spafajournal.org, https://www.spafajournal.org/index.php/spafadigest/article/view/16/16#:~:text=The%20major%20chemical%20components%20of,and%20magne%20si%20um%20oxide.
  5. Chemical analysis of stucco plaster - BRANZ Build, https://www.buildmagazine.org.nz/assets/PDF/B98-71-ChemicalAnalysis.pdf
  6. The Science Behind Stucco: A Guide to Durable Exterior Finishes, https://propertyservices.com/the-science-behind-stucco-a-guide-to-durable-exterior-finishes/
  7. What Is Stucco? - An Ultimate Guide - Exterior By Design, https://exteriorbydesign.ca/what-is-stucco/
  8. Stucco: Everything You Need To Know About the Popular Siding - Family Handyman, https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/stucco-guide/
  9. www.orkin.com, https://www.orkin.com/ask-orkin/can-termites-eat-through-concrete#:~:text=How%20large%20of%20a%20crack,shrink%20from%20around%20the%20pipes.
  10. Can Termites Eat Concrete? What Homeowners Need to Know - Native Pest Management, https://www.nativepestmanagement.com/blog/2025/june/can-termites-eat-their-way-through-concrete-/
  11. Debunking termite myths, California style - Clark Pest Control, https://www.clarkpest.com/residential-service-blog-old/debunking-termite-myths-california-style
  12. What do Termites Eat | Termite Diet and Feeding Habits | Orkin, https://www.orkin.com/pests/termites/what-do-termites-eat
  13. Termite - Nutrition, Fungi, Sociality | Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/animal/termite/Nutrition
  14. Exploring the Diet of Termites: What Do They Really Eat? - Mariners Pest Control, https://www.marinerspestcontrol.com/blog/exploring-the-diet-of-termites-what-do-they-really-eat/
  15. What Do Termites Eat? Termites Diet - Terminix, https://www.terminix.com/termites/what-do-termites-eat/
  16. Why Do Termites Eat Wood? | American Pole & Timber, https://www.americanpoleandtimber.com/why-do-termites-eat-wood/
  17. Termite Damage in Stucco Homes Pismo Beach - Rogall, https://www.rogall.com/behind-the-walls-termite-damage-in-stucco-homes-of-pismo-beach/
  18. Stucco Termite Repair San Luis Obispo - Rogall, https://www.rogall.com/repairing-termite-damage-in-stucco-a-guide-for-san-luis-obispo/
  19. Does Stucco Keep Termites Out? - Magic Pest Control, https://www.magicpest.com/does-stucco-keep-termites-out/
  20. Termite Mud Tubes | All You Need to Know - Western Exterminator, https://www.westernexterminator.com/blog/termites/termite-mud-tubes
  21. Subterranean Termites, https://www-aes.tamu.edu/files/2010/06/SubterraneanTermites.pdf
  22. What Are Termite Mud Tubes? Why Are They Bad? - Blue Sky Pest Control, https://www.blueskypest.com/blog/what-are-termite-mud-tubes/
  23. Vulnerable To Subterranean Termite Infestations - J&J Exterminating, https://www.jjext.com/outdated-modern-construction-practices
  24. How to Keep Termites Away With Stucco - Wallder Construction LLC, https://www.wallderstucco.com/how-to-keep-termites-away-with-stucco/
  25. Gap between stucco weep screed and concrete slab [Archive] - Home Inspection, http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/archive/index.php/t-2237.html
  26. Gap at bottom of stucco wall normal? : r/DIY - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/1cww42j/gap_at_bottom_of_stucco_wall_normal/
  27. Stucco Trimming and Removal - Ohana Termite and Pest Control, http://www.ohanapest.com/termite-prevention/stucco-trimming-and-removal/
  28. Stucco Siding is a Termite Revolving Door - Termite Tom - Termite and Pest Control Lawyer, https://termitetom.com/learning/stucco-siding-termite-revolving-door/
  29. Can Termites Eat Concrete? Facts About Concrete Termite… | Polyguard, https://polyguard.com/blog/can-termites-eat-concrete
  30. Can Termites Eat Their Way Through Your Concrete Foundation? - GreenLeaf Pest Control, https://www.greenleafpestcontrol.com/2015/12/can-termites-eat-their-way-through-your-concrete-foundation/
  31. Can Termites Eat Through Concrete? - Orkin, https://www.orkin.com/ask-orkin/can-termites-eat-through-concrete
  32. 8 Key Areas in Your Home to Check During a Termite Inspection-ClearDefense Pest Control, https://cleardefensepest.com/termite-inspection-checklist/
  33. What You Need to Know About Termites - Killem Pest, https://killem.com.sg/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-termites/
  34. 4 common pest entry points and how you can close them off, https://www.kykopestprevention.com/blog/common-pest-entry-points
  35. www.rogall.com, https://www.rogall.com/stucco-and-termites-in-templeton/#:~:text=The%20cracks%20and%20crevices%20in,potentially%20leading%20to%20costly%20repairs.
  36. 6 Signs of Subterranean Termites - Northwest Exterminating, https://www.callnorthwest.com/2022/07/6-signs-of-subterranean-termites/
  37. Stucco And Termites In Templeton - Rogall, https://www.rogall.com/stucco-and-termites-in-templeton/
  38. Are these termite tubes? : r/HomeImprovement - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeImprovement/comments/tlmqbh/are_these_termite_tubes/
  39. Signs of Termite Damage: Peeling or Bubbling Paint - Pests - Orkin, https://www.orkin.com/pests/termites/damage/termites-and-paint
  40. What Does Termite Damage Look Like? - Orkin, https://www.orkin.com/pests/termites/damage/termite-damage-signs
  41. 7 Signs Of Termites In Arizona | Bills Pest Termite Control, https://billstermiteco.com/7-signs-of-termites-in-your-walls-drywall-ceilings-floors/
  42. Signs of Termites in Walls | Termites in Drywall - Orkin, https://www.orkin.com/pests/termites/damage/termite-wall-damage
  43. Signs of Termite Damage and How to Recover - Terminix, https://www.terminix.com/termites/signs/damage/
  44. Termites or Bad Stucco? : r/HomeImprovement - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeImprovement/comments/d819hv/termites_or_bad_stucco/
  45. MTI Weep Screed Deflector 4' Long (80 Linear Feet/Tube) - Masonry Direct, https://www.masonrydirect.com/products/mti-weep-screed-deflector-4-long-80-linear-feet-tube
  46. Gaps underneath stucco weep screed vertical drainage plane - Home Inspection, http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/introductions-by-new-members/5538-gaps-underneath-stucco-weep-screed-vertical-drainage-plane.html
  47. Everything You Need to Know About Weep Screed Installation - Atlas Stucco, https://atlasstucco.com/blog/the-essential-guide-to-weep-screed-installation/
  48. Stucco below grade advice and comments - InterNACHI®️ Forum, https://forum.nachi.org/t/stucco-below-grade-advice-and-comments/244719
  49. Water Damage and EIFS - InterNACHI®, https://www.nachi.org/water-damage-eifs.htm
  50. How to Prevent Termites in New Construction Projects - Builders License Training Institute, https://www.licensetobuild.com/how-to-prevent-termites-in-new-construction-projects/
  51. What is a weep screed and why is it important? Small tip of advice to save you headaches at home. - YouTube, https://m.youtube.com/shorts/SObLo8eb0EU
  52. Mulch and Weep Holes - YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0ZVbRhjSmg
  53. Protecting your Home Against Termites | Entomology, https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef605
  54. 3 Tips to Protect Your Home from Termites When Landscaping | Mississippi State University Extension Service, https://extension.msstate.edu/blogs/extension-for-real-life/3-tips-protect-your-home-termites-when-landscaping
  55. What Attracts Termites to Your Home? Common Causes and How to Prevent Them, https://bugweedmart.com/what-attracts-termites-to-your-home-prevention-tips/
  56. The Silent Threat: Why Termite Inspections Are Crucial For Atlanta Homeowners, https://www.atlanta.residentialinspector.com/blog/wdo-inspections/termite-inspections-atlanta-homeowners/
  57. Reduce Pest Intrusion | Building America Solution Center, https://basc.pnnl.gov/resource-guides/reduce-pest-intrusion
  58. 1. EIFS - A Brief History, https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/crfp/eifsfactsbydouglaspencille.pdf
  59. Residential Stucco: Types, Process, Pros and Cons - Sunset Coatings LLC, https://sunsetcoatingstucson.com/residential-stucco/
  60. EIFS vs. Stucco: What's the Difference | Dryvit Blog, https://www.dryvit.com/blog/eifs-vs-stucco-what-s-the-difference
  61. What Are the Problems with EIFS? | Stark & Stark PC, https://www.stark-stark.com/business-construction-litigation-what-are-the-problems-with-eifs/
  62. If Installed Below Grade EIFS Can Be Very Dangerous | Canadian Stucco, http://www.canadianstucco.ca/the-dangers-of-installing-exterior-insulation-finishing-systems/
  63. How Landscaping Can Protect Your San Diego Home from Termites - HomeGuard, https://homeguard.com/home-landscaping-termite-prevention-san-diego-california/
  64. Unveiling the Diet of Termites: What Fuels These Silent Destroyers, https://www.bredapest.com/unveiling-the-diet-of-termites-what-fuels-these-silent-destroyers
  65. How to Keep Water Away from House Foundation: 8 Tips, https://mybestfoundationrepair.com/how-to-keep-water-away-from-house-foundation/
  66. Water Kills Houses | Basement | Foundation - Eby Exteriors, https://www.ebyexteriors.com/blog/water-kills-houses/water-damage-basement
  67. What can I do about wet soil touching stucco? : r/HomeMaintenance - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/HomeMaintenance/comments/1au9qug/what_can_i_do_about_wet_soil_touching_stucco/
  68. Stucco Wall Water Intrusion and Weep Screed Water Leak Detection, https://waterintrusionspecialist.com/stucco-wall-water-intrusion-and-weep-screed-water-leak-detection/
  69. How to keep water away : r/DIY - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/comments/1ill7yh/how_to_keep_water_away/
  70. The Importance of Regular Termite Inspections - Golden Circle Extermination, https://www.gcext.com/the-importance-of-regular-termite-inspections
  71. What Termite Damage Looks Like & Benefits of Regular Treatments - Finley Home Services, https://finleyhomeservices.com/blog/signs-of-termite-damage-regular-treatments-benefits/
  72. Termite Treatment & Control - Terminix, https://www.terminix.com/termite-control/
  73. Structural Pre-Construction Subterranean Termite Control - NC Department of Agriculture, https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/structural-pest-control-and-pesticides/structural/consumer-information/pre-construction-subterranean-termite-control
  74. Termite Damage 101: What You Should Do Once the Damage Is Done, https://www.national-pest.com/blog/termite-damage-101-what-you-should-do-once-the-damage-is-done/
  75. Termite Bait Stations, Systems, Stakes & Traps | Fast, Free Shipping - DoMyOwn.com, https://www.domyown.com/termite-bait-systems-c-3_75.html
  76. Subterranean Termite Baiting System, http://www.ohanapest.com/termite-prevention/subterranean-termite-baiting-system/
  77. Effective Termite Control & Prevention Solutions - Fox Pest Control, https://fox-pest.com/services/plans/termite-defense/
  78. termite damage, florida need help - DoItYourself.com Community Forums, https://www.doityourself.com/forum/carpentry-cabinetry-interior-woodworking/523666-termite-damage-florida-need-help.html
  79. Termite Damage Repair | Angi, https://www.angi.com/articles/5-tips-repair-termite-damage-your-home.htm
  80. Stud Replacement Termites Big Problem Help! - DoItYourself.com Community Forums, https://www.doityourself.com/forum/walls-ceilings/603478-stud-replacement-termites-big-problem-help.html
  81. Advice for repairing this termite damage? Can I cut out the damage and nail in new blocks? Or do I need to replace the full stud from the top down? Very old - no current signs of termites. : r/Carpentry - Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/Carpentry/comments/cm16x7/advice_for_repairing_this_termite_damage_can_i/
  82. Termite Damage Repair Structural - db Home Improvements, https://www.dbhiproducts.com/repairs/termite-damage-repair-structural/
  83. How To Replace An Exterior Beam Due To Termite Damage-DIY - YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yd8--4d7hg
  84. Learn to stucco any wood rot patches, How to repair stucco on any termite damaged walls - Kirk Giordano Plastering, https://stuccoplastering.com/learn-to-stucco-any-wood-rot-patches-how-to-repair-stucco-on-any-termite-damaged-walls/
  85. Stucco Coating Repair - Termite Damage Repair • House Painting, https://marconone.com/stucco-coating-repair/