As small as they are, termites are destructive and can be difficult to detect. They can cause extensive damage to your property– in fact, In Australia, termites cause more damage to homes than floods, storms, and fire combined! They can destroy furniture, damage wall sections, ceilings, and other structural parts of your home. While these pesky pests are hard to find, there are ways in which you can spot termite activity and deal with them before the damage becomes irreversible. Below are just a few signs of termite activity in your home:
1. Discarded Wings
The first sign of a termite infestation, specifically flying termites called swarmers, is evidence of scattered wings around your home - particularly near the windows and on the floor. A few wings may be an indication of a larger colony. The discarded wings are an indication that a flying termite has found a mate and doesn’t need its wings anymore. The moment you spot any discarded wings, you should arrange for an immediate termite inspection.
2. Mud Tubes
Australian termites are generally subterranean which means they need moisture and humidity to survive. One way they maintain this moisture is build mud ‘tubes. While it’s not an easy job to spot mud tubes, they are indicators of a termite infestation. By the time you spot mud build-ups, termites have more than likely already infested your home. There are a number of different mud tubes that termites build, and a termite pest control specialist can determine which type is on your property.
3. Frequent Electrical Short Circuits
As mentioned, termites love warm environments, making electrical fittings the perfect place to heat up. If you notice regular electrical short circuits, it may be due to termite infestation If you notice any signs of damp soil build-up around your electrical fittings, unfortunately it’s likely that this signals the presence these destructive pests.
4. Damaged Plaster or Paint
When termites cause damage to walls, it is serious, and can be complicated and costly to fix. If you see cracks that look like water damage (also described as ‘bubbling’), it could mean that termites have infested your inner walls. If this is the case, it is too late to try eradicating them yourself and it is best to call a termite control professional.
5. Damage to Wooden Areas
One way to tell if termites have infested your home is by looking for signs of damaged wood. These unwanted pests tend to leave a lot of excrement when they are busy at “work.” The droppings look like coarse sand and are often in small pilings near the areas they have damaged.
How Can I Make My Home Unfriendly to Termites?
There are ways you can help stop termites from infesting your home by making it an unfriendly environment for them! This includes:
● Not leaving woodpiles out in the open and keeping them at least 6 metres away from your home.
● Trim down trees and bushes and keep your property free from dead plant materials, foliage, and stumps on the ground.
● Fix any signs of leaky pipes and drains.
● Try to keep the interior of your house moisture-free.
● Seal all crevices and cracks.
● Adequate subfloor ventilation. ● An annual termite inspection from one of our Gladiators!
If you spot any of the above-mentioned signs of termite activity in your home and need experienced termite pest control specialists, give us a call on 0430 416 793 and we can take you through our different options for termite treatment and maintenance.
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