5 Common Signs of Termite Infestation
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Termites, which many Australians commonly refer to as “white ants”, are highly destructive insects that wreak havoc on homes and properties across the country.
Australia’s environmental conditions are ideal for subterranean termites, especially in regions above the Tropic of Capricorn, where consistently high humidity and temperatures allow them to thrive.
To learn more about subterranean termites, download our fact sheet.
Termites survive by eating timber and other cellulose-rich materials, which makes our homes a big target. They will covertly enter a home and start to eat any timber they can find, even furniture!
Termite damage often goes unnoticed because affected timber may seem intact while, in fact, it has been hollowed out by termites, completely compromising its structural integrity.
Termite damage can be detected early if you recognise and promptly address the common signs of termite infestation. This proactive approach can help you avoid expensive repair bills. Here are five common signs that indicate the presence of termites and suggest your home may be at risk.
If you have noticed any of these common signs of termites, your home could be infested. Don’t panic or disturb anything you’ve found; instead, contact your local service centre immediately to arrange a termite inspection.
Mud tubes around the outside of your home
One of the telltale signs of termite activity is the presence of mud tubes, also known as shelter tubes.
Termites create mud tubes to stay protected whilst navigating between their nests and food sources. These tubes, which are about the same diameter as a pencil, help termites maintain a humid environment, which is crucial for survival.
Mud tubes are often found along walls, foundations and other surfaces close to the ground. This behaviour is a key indicator that termites are present nearby and that there could be activity within the structure.
While removing mud tubes alone won’t stop a termite infestation, spotting them early on can help you act before severe structural damage occurs.
To help deter termites, it is advised that you keep your home’s foundation free of moisture and soil buildup, as damp environments attract termites.
Mud buildup in the cracks of timber
When making their way through timber, termites will fill in any cracks or holes that expose them to outside conditions. This behaviour allows them to regulate their temperature and survive while they destroy your home.
You will usually find cracks filled in by termites around skirting boards, architraves and door frames. If you discover this behaviour, avoid disturbing any mud or damaged timber you see, as it could lead to the termites further infesting your home.
Timber that sounds hollow
Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin outer layer of timber or paint on the surface, giving the appearance that nothing is wrong. When tapped, affected timber produces a distinct hollow sound, which structurally sound timber should never make.
In the video below, Termitrust Pest Control technician James inspects the roof cavity of a home for termites. Apart from the mud repairs between the two timbers, everything appears to be fine.
However, a light squeeze of the timber truss quickly reveals that termites have eaten the timber out, leaving it structurally unsound. Upon further inspection of the roof cavity, James discovered that termites compromised many other structural timbers inside this roof cavity.
Piles of dead flying termites or discarded wings
Flying termites, also known as alates, are the reproductive caste of a termite colony. They are tasked with establishing new colonies by swarming, an activity that involves hundreds of alates flying out of an established termite nest.
These termites have a short window of time (about twenty minutes) to leave their original nest and locate a suitable moist environment to start a new colony.
In Australia, swarming occurs in the warmer months of spring and summer, particularly before storms when humidity is high. Most flying termites will perish before they can find suitable conditions to start a new termite colony, leading to groups of dead flying termites or discarded wings being found around homes.
Finding dead flying termites or discarded wings can suggest a nearby active colony, as the nests from where the termites originated are typically within one hundred meters of where the dead ones are found.
Dead flying termites or discarded wings can typically be found near windowsills, doors and building light fixtures.
Finding termite droppings (Frass)
Termite droppings, known as frass, is the poop of termites. Frass usually accumulates near infested areas of a home, forming tiny mounds that look like small piles of sawdust or dirt.
Termite excrement is oval-shaped and can be light beige to black in colour, depending on the species of wood the termites have eaten.
Additional signs of termite infestation
In addition to these common signs of termite damage above, the following indicators may also hint at termites being present in your home:
- Bubbling, cracking or peeling paint: Bubbling, cracking or peeling paint can occur on walls and timber trim if termites have hollowed out the wood underneath.
- Uneven Floorboards: Floorboards that are inconsistent or uneven could suggest termite damage has occurred.
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Cracked or distorted walls and ceilings: Termites tunnelling through wooden structures can cause parts of walls or ceilings to warp or crack.
- Faint tapping or clicking sounds: Termite soldiers can produce faint tapping or clicking sounds to signal danger to the colony. In a quiet environment, you may hear them if you place your ear close to an infested area.
- Electrical short circuits or damage to wiring: Termites are often drawn to the warmth around electrical fittings and wiring. If your home experiences frequent short circuits or if you notice damaged or muddy electrical fittings, this could be a result of termite activity.
Conclusion
Recognising the early signs of termite infestation can be the difference between minimal damage and costly repairs to your home.
Common signs of termite damage can include mud tubes, mud patching up cracks in timber, hollow-sounding timber, piles of dead flying termites or discarded wings and termite droppings (frass).
Being vigilant and aware of these signs can help homeowners detect a potential termite infestation early on, saving them money and reducing the stress of repairing termite damage out of pocket.
At Termitrust Pest Control, we know termites so you don’t have to…
If you have discovered any of these common signs of termite infestation or something we haven’t mentioned here, but are concerned about, contact your local Termitrust team to schedule a termite inspection.
Our experienced technicians are ready to assess, identify and help eliminate termites if they are discovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do termites enter homes?
A. Termites can enter homes through cracks in your concrete slab, through gaps around utilities that penetrate through your slab, or by termites building mud tubes from untreated soil to a wooden structure.
Q. What do termites eat?
A. Termites eat cellulose found in wood and plant materials. They can eat paper, cardboard and many other cellulose-rich materials commonly found in homes and around properties.
Q. What should I do if I suspect termite activity in my home?
A. Avoid disturbing any termites or signs of damage, as this can worsen the infestation. Immediately contact a licensed pest control company to conduct a termite inspection.
To learn what a termite inspection involves, how you should prepare for one and more, read our blog A Comprehensive Guide to Termite Inspections.
