The 5 signs of termites every homeowner must know!

Suffering a termite attack is every homeowner’s nightmare! Termites are very secretive, often remaining un-noticed until significant damage is done. The treatment and damage repairs can often cost $10,000 or more (and sometimes a lot more!). At the very least, homeowners should have a professional termite inspection at least once a year. However, in between your regular termite inspections, it certainly pays to know what to look for, so if you spot something suspicious you can call your termite professional immediately.

Here are the five key signs you may have termites in the house…

Termite mud tubes

The main pest species of termites in Australia are subterranean termites, which means they spend most of their time underground. Mud tubes are the shelter tubes made by termites when then need to come above ground to get to a food source. These mud tubes protect them from drying out and from predators.

If you spot these mud tubes on fences and trees in and around your yard, you know termites are in the area. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of all homes in Australia are within 25 m of a termite nest!

Termite mud tube on tree trunk

Of course if you spot these mud tubes on the outside of your house, in the roof void or in the sub-floor (if you have one), you know your house is under termite attack and you should call a pest professional immediately.

Termite wood damage

Termites are actually very good at hiding their damage. They will leave a thin veneer of wood on the surface to protect them from drying out and often the wet mud they bring in during their activities will provide some structural support. As a result the termite damage to your home may remain un-noticed until something suddenly collapses!

However, there are some subtle signs of termite damage that may indicate you have termites in your house…

·      Doors don’t shut correctly (damage to the door frame)

·      Floorboard feel a bit spongy

·      Ripples in the paintwork

·      Mud spots on the wall (where the termites have broken through and then sealed the hole)

Rippled paint hiding termite activity underneath

Flying termites

On warm, humid nights mature termite nests release large numbers of termites with wings – the new kings and queens looking to mate and start a new nest. If you have large numbers of these termite swarmers in or around your house, you know there is a large termite nest nearby and it may be attacking your home. Sometimes you may wake in the morning to see dead termites on the ground or lots of shed wings (they lose their wings when they land to find a new home). This is definitely a sign of termite activity that should cause alarm and an immediate call to your pest control professional.

Winged termites are a sure sign there’s a large termite nest nearby

What do termites sound like?

If you’re quiet it is possible to hear two types of termite noise, especially at night. The first is a scratching noise – this is the termites chewing away at your house – not a nice sound! The second sound is a slight tapping. This is the head banging that some species of termites use as part of their communication. The old glass held to the wall trick, will help hearing these noises.

Termite mess – drywood termites

Subterranean termites don’t actually leave piles of sawdust or droppings. If you see sawdust, it is more likely to be a borer – still a serious problem and a reason to call your pest professional. However, if you see piles of droppings, it could be from drywood termites.

Drywood termites are different to subterranean termites in that they nest in the wood (not in the ground) and don’t need the same level of moisture that subterranean termites require. Drywood termites are even hard to detect that subterranean termites, but the one sign of activity they do leave behind are their droppings. If you spot piles of six sided light and dark brown pellets, under a hole in some wood element, it is likely to be drywood termites. And yes, you guessed it, you should make an immediate call to your pest professional.

Drywood termite pellets (frass or droppings)

If it’s been a while since your last professional termite inspection or you have spotted any of the signs of termite activity mentioned above, give the professionals at Gold Coast Pest Services a call. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

If you spot any potential signs of termite activity, don’t panic. Nothing is going to happen between when you spot the problem and when we arrive!

However, please

• DON’T break open any mud tubes

• DON’T break open any damaged wood

• DON’T spray the termites with insecticide

All these actions tend to frighten the termites from the specific area, only for them to re-appear at an unknown location, somewhere else. This makes it difficult for a pest professional to carry out the inspection, identify the species and determine the full extent of the problem and provide complete and effective control.

If you are worried you might have termites, just contact the termite experts at Gold Coast Pest Services. 07 5574 8515.