Termites — any home owner’s worst nightmare. At Brisbane Termite and Pest Control, we always say: the smallest intruders can cause the most extensive damage. Left unattended longstanding infestations can have a hefty price-tag. Unfortunately, termites often show limited visible signs of infestations until they are well established within a property. This means that if you notice termite mudding or the vacuum cleaner goes through a softened skirting board, termites have already made their home in your home. Once these signs occur, home remedies for termites can do more harm than good. Rather, one of our pest professionals can perform an inspection and put you on the path to terminating your termites. Minimise the damage and minimise the heartache, if you notice any of the following signs, take action.
1. Flying Termites
Flying termites are difficult to ignore. With thin bodies and long, transparent wings, these little critters are often the first sign of infestation. Flying termites are male and female
termites leaving the nest to mate. After finding a mate, the females drop their wings; discarded wings are also an easily recognisable sign of a potential termite colony.
2. Mudding
Termites often leave mud tubes around infestation sights. Termites use the pencil width channels as thoroughfares from the external surroundings of your home into the premises,
although the tubes may also be sighted internally within the home between infestation sites. If you find old, unfrequented mud tubes, these do not necessarily indicate that the
termites have moved on from your home. Rather, they may have made other tubes or moved into a different part of your house.
3. Nests
For there to be an infestation in your home, there is most likely a termite nest in close proximity. Termite nests can either be in the form of a mud mound on the ground or a mud
nest in a tree.
4. Moisture Warping
If your wood fixtures appear warped or bubbled, this may be a sign of termites. Moisture warping can be caused by termites for several reasons. As termites eat away the wood,
the material weakens making it more susceptible to moisture in the environment and hence causing it to warp. However, termites also release moisture and this can also cause
bubbling in the surface of the woodwork. Moist conditions are ideal for many termite varieties, hence humid climates and moist areas of the home are infestation hot-spots.
5. Papery Timber
Most unmistakably of all is the papery quality timber takes on after being eaten away by termites. Termites eat from the inside out, often leaving the top layer of veneer or paint
intact. If you are uncertain, test the area by tapping on the wood; infested timber has a hollow sound and will potentially feel fragile and papery if the infestation is substantial.
6. Faint Clicking
Strange though it may seem, termites emit a faint clicking sound. This sound can be the chewing noise of worker termites or it can be the head banging of termites signalling
danger to the colony. This faint clicking noise can be heard if you place your ear to the surface of the infestation spot.
When it comes to pests, the best defence is a good offence. If you have any number of the above warning signs, take action and terminate your termites by contacting one of our
pest professionals. An inspection and treatment plan is the first step to regaining control of your property.
Chiara Stegert 2018
Updated March 2020
NOTE: A professional termite inspection is highly recommended annually as a minimum. It is great looking out for these signs as a homeowner although a professional timber pest technician is experienced in performing and recognising signs and is no substitute.