Termites are among the most feared pests for homeowners across Australia. Their ability to silently cause significant structural damage makes early detection essential.
Like most homeowners, you want to protect your home from pests, but identifying termites can be tricky, especially since they often go unnoticed until they’ve caused substantial harm.
Understanding the signs of termites can help you take action before the infestation gets out of hand.
In this article, we will explore the telltale signs of termite infestation that every Australian homeowner should watch out for, helping you address the issue before it results in costly repairs.
Let’s get straight to the point
Termites can cause significant, often unnoticed, damage to homes in Australia, making early detection crucial.
Key signs of infestation include sagging floors, difficult-to-open doors or windows, cracks in walls or paint, discarded wings, mud tubes, frass (termite droppings), and unusual noises from walls.
Termites also cause blistering or hollow-sounding wood, particularly in attic spaces.
Regular termite inspections and preventative measures like keeping wood away from foundations and fixing leaks can help protect your home. For peace of mind, professional pest control is recommended.
Why Is It Important to Spot Termites Early?
In Australia, termites cause millions of dollars in damage each year. Unlike other pests, termites can quietly destroy your home’s structure, feeding on timber and other cellulose-based materials.
Early detection is crucial for avoiding expensive repairs and preserving your property. The good news is that termites leave behind clear signs of their presence—if you know what to look for.
Common Signs of Termite Infestation
Sagging Floors, Doors, and Windows
One of the first signs that termites may have invaded your home is difficulty in opening or closing doors or windows.
As termites feast on the wood in door and window frames, the timber can warp, making it harder to open and close these areas.
Over time, this damage can lead to more severe structural issues, such as sagging floors or roof damage.
If you notice any significant structural warping, it’s time to conduct a termite inspection. Even if the issue seems to be related to normal wood rot, spotting broken beams containing dried soil is a strong indicator of termite damage.
You might also see dead termites in or near damaged wood, indicating an active infestation. In either case, a professional pest control service should be contacted immediately.
Cracks in Walls or Paint
Another common sign of termite activity is the appearance of cracks in wallcoverings or paint.
Termites create small tunnels, often referred to as termite galleries, through cardboard, wood panels, or drywall behind walls.
They can leave tiny exit holes in your wall or create damage that appears as bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper.
Since termites prefer to eat wood from the inside out, a knock on an infested area may produce a hollow or papery sound. Warping wood, dents, and sunken curves are additional warning signs that termites are at work behind the scenes.
Don’t forget to check ceilings and attic spaces—termites can cause just as much damage to wood in more accessible areas as they can to wood.
Discarded Wings and Termite Swarmers
One of the most noticeable signs of a termite infestation is the presence of discarded wings or termite swarmers.
Swarmers are winged termites that emerge to mate and establish new colonies, often appearing during the spring season.
In Australia, swarmers may appear after a rainstorm, and they are frequently attracted to light sources such as windows or doors.
If you notice abandoned wings near entry points of your home, it’s a sign that termites have likely entered and may be setting up a colony.
While termite swarmers are often confused with flying ants, a key difference is that termites have elongated bodies and two sets of equal-sized wings, whereas ants have pinched waists and two different-sized sets of wings.
Frass (Termite Droppings)
If you’re dealing with dry wood termites, one clear indicator of their presence is frass. Frass is a powdery material composed of termite droppings, which can resemble sawdust.
Drywood termites expel their droppings through small holes in wood, which may leave dark spots or a pile of granular material in or around the infested area. This is often an indicator of a termite colony hidden inside wooden structures.
Mud Tubes on Exterior Walls
Subterranean termites, which are common in many parts of Australia, use mud tubes to travel from their colony to their food source.
These tubes are made from soil, wood, and termite droppings. Mud tubes are typically found near the foundations of homes, often along exterior walls.
The presence of mud tubes is one of the most obvious signs of a subterranean termite infestation.
To check if these tubes are active, break a section of the mud tube and look for live termites inside.
If you don’t see any termites immediately, check the tube again later; if it’s been repaired, you likely have an active infestation.
Unusual Noises Coming from Walls
Believe it or not, termites can make audible sounds as they go about their destructive activities. If you place your ear against an infested area, you might hear a faint clicking or chewing sound.
This noise is produced by worker termites as they feed on wood or by soldier termites banging their heads against the wood to warn the colony of potential threats.
Hearing noises from within your walls is an alarming sign of a termite infestation, indicating that termites have likely been present for a while.
Less Obvious Signs of Termites
Blistering or Hollow-Sounding Wood
Termites tend to eat wood from the inside out, leaving only a thin outer layer. When this happens, the wood may feel soft or spongy to the touch or produce a hollow sound when tapped.
In homes with laminate flooring, termite damage can cause areas of the floor to blister or sag, which is another indication that termites are feeding on the wood underneath.
Warping and Damage in Attic Spaces
Termites aren’t just a ground-level problem. They can cause serious damage to attic ceilings, beams, and rafters.
Even though these areas are less frequently visited, they are prime targets for termite infestation.
Be sure to check your attic periodically for signs of warping wood, cracks in beams, or frass, especially in the corners or where wood meets the walls.
Termite Inspection and Prevention
Regular termite inspections are essential to protect your home from termites.
Many homeowners don’t realise they have a termite problem until the damage becomes extensive, so it’s recommended to have your home professionally inspected at least once a year.
If termites are found, quick intervention with termite treatments can prevent further damage.
Preventative Measures
One of the best ways to keep termites out of your home is by taking some simple preventative measures:
- Keep firewood and mulch away from the foundation of your home.
- Reduce moisture around the house by fixing leaks and ensuring proper drainage.
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows and doors to prevent termites from entering.
Conclusion
Termites are destructive pests, but with early detection and preventative care, you can minimise the risk of severe damage to your home.
Keep an eye out for telltale signs like discarded wings, mud tubes, and frass, and take immediate action if you notice any structural changes, such as sagging floors or cracked paint.
For the best protection, it’s always a good idea to schedule regular termite inspections with a reliable pest control company. Taking these steps will help ensure your home stays termite-free and protected against future infestations.
If you’re concerned about termite infestations or need professional help, contact All Pests for a thorough inspection and effective treatment plans tailored to your home’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Termites Go Away On Their Own?
Yes, they can go away on their own. Why is it a scary answer? Because you never know when they are going to come back!
Without a termite treatment, there is no way of knowing when a healthy termite colony will return to re-infest a structure.
Are Termites Easy To Get Rid Of?
For the average DIY homeowner, getting rid of termites is hard – like really, really hard. If even one reproductive worker survives an attack from predators or professional termite treatments, that worker could grow into a new queen and start building up the colony all over again.
What Kills Termites Naturally?
Borax powder, or sodium borate, can kill termites naturally. You just sprinkle the powder on the termites and the affected area, or you make a solution of the powder and water to spray or paint on the affected areas. You can also paint the solution on surfaces as a termite repellant.
What Attracts Termites To A House?
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors.
Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
How Long Do Termites Live?
Workers and soldiers live approximately one to two years. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climate conditions.
