As they can’t survive in the open it is highly unlikely you will actually see signs of termites until you discover their damage.
Termites will damage 34,000 Australian homes every year with an average repair bill of $10,000. They can damage homes very quickly and often activity is not noticed until they have caused a significant problem - which is not covered by home or contents insurance.
Due to their behaviour, termites are very difficult to locate. They only require a 1mm gap to gain access and will live in concealed areas of the home. This is the key reason why regular termite inspections by a licensed pest controller are the best way to detect termites on your property.
There are however some signs which you will provide an indication that termites may be present.
For a no pressure quote and free advice please call us, fill out the Make an Enquiry form or contact your local Termitrust Service Centre below:
Signs of Termite Infestation
- Mud trails leading up the sides of buildings
- Accumulation of dried mud in the joins of door or window architraves
- Blistering on door or window architrave, or skirting boards
- Damp areas or moisture stains on walls
- Faint tapping or chewing noises behind plaster walls
- Power failures and build up of earthy materials around power points
- Soft floor boards
- During spring and autumn evenings large swarms of “flying black ants” may actually be termite alates being released from the nest. This is strong indication termite colonies are present.
What To Do If You Find Termites
Finding termites or what you think are termites in your home or garden can be very distressing and upsetting. Here is your checklist of what to do and what not to do if you find them.
DON'T
- Try to guess what they are - even if you only suspect they might be termites follow our DO checklist below
- Disturb them or investigate further - it will frighten them off and make it harder to treat them
- Try to kill them with pest sprays, homemade connections or do-it-yourself methods off the internet - the only effective treatments for termites are through licensed pest controllers
- Ignore them
DO
- Stay calm
- Take action immediately
- Check your meter box for a termite or white ant treatment sticker - it will show the treatments or inspections previously undertaken and the company who performed them that you should contact
- If there is no meter box sticker, contact your local Termitrust centre and one of our experienced technicians will conduct a full inspection of the activity your home
- We like you to be present so our technician can explain the inspection process, extent of the termite activity, treatment options & how they work, and our fees
- If there appears to be damage, our technician will report on the extent of the damage
- Once the termites have been treated make sure you have a termite inspection at least every year
- And to help prevent reoccurrence follow our tips on limiting further infestations below
What Can You Do To Limit Infestation?
- Clear any obstacles or debris from the building perimeter to enable ongoing visual inspection of the home
- Remove all wood, tiles, bricks etc. stacked up against external walls of the house that may allow concealed entry
- Rectify leaking taps, condensate discharge from air conditioners, hot water system overflow discharge, etc. to reduce termite access to free water sources
- Review lawn and garden reticulation to direct watering away from the house perimeter
- Where possible, remove any potential termite food sources and manage scrap timber, compost heaps, wooden garden stakes, wooden landscaping features (sleepers), etc.
- Install a termite monitoring/baiting system which can be checked regularly
- Remove garden mulch from the building perimeter and relocate flower and garden beds away from the house walls
- Have regular termite inspections undertaken by our accredited technicians - these should be annually or more often where termite pressure is high
At Termitrust we know termites so you don't have to...
