Termite infestation can cause devastating damage to your house’s structure including doors and windows if left unchecked. Regular inspections by pest control specialists can identify the termite problem when it’s manageable and can save you a hefty home repair bill. Termites are a bigger nuisance and can cause more destruction than other pests, as they can chew through the flooring, wallpaper and any wooden structure. It can be difficult identifying a termite infestation as they can hide underground, and within walls and the attic.
What Are Termites?
Termites are small insects that consume rotting wood, dead plant material and animal waste. Termites can also destroy homes by causing damage towards the house structure over the span of multiple years. Termites feed off cellulose, which is an organic compound found in wood and other materials like paper, cardboard and cotton fibres. They eat both soft and hardwood, which is commonly found in your house’s structural frame, floor and furniture. All these materials that have cellulose can be commonly found within the confines of your house.
Signs of Termites
There are several signs that termites may be in your house. Though you may not physically spot a termite, there still might be a termite infestation and can quietly damage your housing structure. It is important to contact professional pest control specialists if you spot any of these following signs:
Mud Tubes
Mud tubes also known as termite shelter tubes are coin-sized tunnels that are located around termite nests. It is made up of small pieces of soil and wood, and termites use it to travel between their food source and nest. These are commonly found on the interior or exterior of a wall and is a clear sign that you may have a termite infestation.
Termite Wings
Termite swarmers tend to shed their wings and large amounts of termite wings is an obvious sign that there may be termites within that space. If you see a pile of termite wings anywhere in your house especially in windows, you may have a termite infestation.
Hollow Timber
If there you hear click noises and if any timber within your house sounds papery or hollow, it means that you may have a termite infestation and they have already caused some form of damage to the timber. There are other obvious signs that the timber has been comprised by termites including small holes and tunnels in the wood.
Structural Damage
Termites can cause damage to internal and external structures. If you have the doors or windows are tight and difficult to open, this is the first sign that you may have an infestation problem. There are other clear signs including cracks on internal walls, flooring, roof tiles or the ceiling is damaged. It is important to identify how widespread the infestation problem is as extensive structural damage can comprise the stability of the house.
Things Attracting Termites To Your House
Firewood and Wood Piles
Fire wood and wood piles around your house can increase the risk of attracting termites. Firewood piles around your house can cause termites to enter your house via walls or cracks during their search for food. If you’re storing firewood or timber around your house, it is important to make sure that it doesn’t come into contact with the house walls. We recommend storing firewood above the ground and at least 7 metres from your house.
Tree Leaves and Limbs
Tree leaves and limbs that are in-contact with your house roof can cause termite infestation. They act as a pathway to the house for termites when they are looking for a new food source. Tree limbs on the roof can also block out sunlight and cause damp environment, which termites thrive in.
Moisture
Moisture within your house can attract termites. As termites are attracted and thrive in warn, humid and damp environments. These areas attract termites as they can live and start a nest, which is the beginning to a termite infestation. Any damp areas within your house that have water-damaged wood are also likely to attract termites.
Mulch
Mulch can attract termites to your property as the wood chips retain moisture and act as an attractive food source. There are multiple methods to avoid attracting termites to your property including minimising wood chips and keeping them at least 38cm away from the foundation. You should also regularly inspect the mulch for signs of termites.
Darkness
Termites thrive in dark areas since they can eat and breed in areas that block out light. The darkness provides protection against potential predators hence why termites leave a mud tubes between their nest and food source. Termite shelters provide them with predator protection and darken the area that they infest.
Warmth
Termites require heat in-order to breed. Termites tend to huddle together to create warm spaces as low temperature will eradicate them. Another sign of termite infestation is hot spots within the walls.
Hire A Professional Termite Specialist
It can be difficult identifying whether you have a termite infestation in your house yourself. A professional termite specialist can help identify the termite nest and provide termite control to solve all infestation problems. Contact us today or call us on 1800 600 760 for a site inspection and FREE quote.