Termites are fascinating creatures that play an important role in our ecosystem. However, they become pests when they encounter the human world and start devouring the timber in our homes!
Highly effective, termites cause significant damage to properties when left undetected. In fact, termites cause more damage to Australian homes than floods, storms and fires combined!
Termites are highly active in Queensland, so it’s important to have a good understanding of termites and to know the signs of termite activity in your home and what to do if you find them.
How to recognise termites
Termites can be difficult to recognize as they appear similar to ants. Whilst they many look similar in appearance, they are in fact very different from each other.
Firstly, termites are pale in colour being a shade of light brown or beige. Whereas ants are red, brown or black in colour. Secondly, termites have a straight antenna and waist. Whereas ants have bent antenna and pinched waist (as demonstrated in the photo below). Thirdly, termites are decomposers that consume plant waste and timber and convert it into nutrients for the environment. Ants on the other hand are gatherers that turn and aerate the soil. Fourthly, termites love humidity, damp areas, and high moisture. Finally, termites cannot survive in the sun like ants and will not expose themselves to it.
Knowing the difference between a termite and an ant can help you spot a termite infestation in your home.
Signs of termites in your home
In addition to the above, there are a few signs to look out for at your home that may indicate termite activity. These include:
- Mudding in the form of tubs or a nest – termites build mud tunnels as they move to protect themselves from sunlight and predators
- Hollow-sounding wood – as termites eat timber from the inside out the timber becomes hollow which has a unique sound when tapped
- Damaged or crumbling wood – termites can cause wood to become weak and brittle as they eat it
- Swollen floors or ceilings – swollen or bulging floors or ceilings can be a sign of water damage from termite activity
- Clicking sounds in walls – when there is a large termite infestation, you can sometimes here clicking sounds as the termites move around
Common misconceptions about termites
Unfortunately, there are some unhelpful misconceptions about termites that lead people to put off annual termite inspections or delay treatment when they do find them. The most common misconceptions include:
- Termites are ants – as mentioned above, termites may look similar to ants but they are in fact very different
- Steel framed homes are immune from termites – whilst termites cannot eat the steel, they can eat other wooden items within the home like skirting boards, floorboards, window and door frames
- Termites in your garden don’t matter – termites can easily move from the garden to your house, so it’s always important to act on termites regardless of whether you find them inside or outside
- Killing visible termites when you see them is an effective treatment – the problem with this approach is that you’re only treating the termites you can see and won’t kill off the whole nest. This means there are likely to be more termites hiding in other locations.
Minimizing the risk of termites in your home
Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to prevent termites in your home. Whilst nothing is 100% termite proof, these methods help to minimize the chances of termites invading your home. These methods include:
- Minimize moisture around the home by:
- Repairing any leaking pipes
- Ensuring air conditioners and down pipes are properly diverted
- Keep gutters clear
- Fix poor drainage
- Remove any wooden debris or dead tree stumps in your yard
- Reduce wood-to-ground contact around the foundation of your home such as timber batting, framing or posts
- Ensure the property’s termite management system is up to date
- Keep garden beds and mulch away from the home
- Cut back any overhanging branches or plants that overhang the roof
- Get annual timber pest inspections to ensure that any infestation is detected early
The importance of annual timber pest inspection
Due to the destructive and elusive nature of termites, it’s important to have your home checked regularly. Australian Standards recommend having your home checked at least once a year, sometimes twice in high-risk areas. An annual timber pest inspection gives you peace of mind that any termite activity is detected early before they cause significant damage to your home.
If you suspect termites may be in your home, don't disturb them!
As mentioned above, termites are elusive creatures that love the dark as they cannot survive in the sun. If you suspect termites are in your home, don’t disturb them!
If exposed or disturbed, they are likely to find a new hiding spot. Thus, making it harder for the pest inspector to find and treat them.
If you have accidentally exposed them, quickly cover them back up and call a pest inspector as soon as possible. They will be able to treat the termites and provide recommendations. Whatever you do, don’t spray them with fly spray or other chemicals as this only serves to aggravate them.
Have peace of mind with a building and pest inspection from Local Inspections
At Local Inspections, we pride ourselves on delivering great service, fast reporting, competitive pricing and thorough inspections. All our inspectors are highly trained and experienced at finding evidence of termite activity and termite damage.
If you would like to know more or would like to book, contact us today!
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