Top 5 Signs I Have Termites

Termites have a reputation for causing a lot of damage to homes. With a reputation to uphold, termite damage is one of the leading causes of home damage in Australia today. Termites can cause damage by eating through wood, which can lead to structural damage and significant repair bills for homeowners.

Termites are destructive pests that can cause considerable damage to homes and other structures. Termite identification is difficult because they can be found in various locations and unidentified termite species often look similar. You should also watch out for swarmers coming out from around your house because this is a distinct sign that there may be a termite infestation nearby.

What Are Drywood Termites?

Drywood termites are termites that live in grass and other organic matter. The termites make tunnels in the wood that contain food. Drywood termites usually feed on wood that is in the form of cellulose. Drywood termites eat different types of wood, with softwoods (like maple and oak) being favored by drywood termites.

Termites will make their nests in the soil and leave the tunnels to go get food before returning to the rooms or galleries built adjoining the tunnels. Drywood termites favor hardwoods (like cypress). Termites make their nests in the wood and navigate the tunnels to get to food sources or rooms known as galleries on the other end of the wood tunnels. The drywood termite eats roots. So a hardwood tree planted near a softwood tree is likely to be eaten.

Drywood Termite Signs

When you think you may have a termite infestation, you need to act fast to get rid of them. There may be nothing to be concerned with; however, it could be time to call in a trusted professional if you see any of these signs.

• An infested tree, branch, or utility pole
• Minor stains on the outside of a home or yard that could be termite droppings
• You have small cracks in your doors and walls
• Broken ceilings, siding, or any other major woodwork surfaces in your home that looks like it has been burned in a fire

How Can I Check If Termites Are Present?

Termites in walls can be hard to detect and can happen to any kind of building, but there are some tell-tale signs on how to spot termites to make things a bit easier. So, how do you check for termites in walls and other areas of your home? Firstly, termite droppings near your home are one indication that you might have termites. So, when looking for termites signs, you should check out these common indicators of a termite infestation.

1. The most noticeable sign is the presence of mud tubes. These are dark-colored tunnels that termites construct on the ground to reach their food sources. When a person is inspecting a home or other building, they will first search for these tunnels and be on the lookout for piles of wood chips so they can check them as well.
2. Piles of wood chips are also an indication of termite activity. These piles will be located close to a structure. The most common areas are near a porch railing or just outside the foundation alongside the house’s exterior walls. Other indications include swarming insects, such as ants and wasps that hover around drywood and/or moist areas near it.
3. So, how do you know if you have termites? To see if you have termites, you should look for wood that has been chewed away, live termites, or wings left behind from flying termites.
4. You may also be able to find out if you have drywood termites signs by looking at the size of the holes they make in walls or floors.

How To Know If You Have Too Many Termites

Termites are a common household pest. They can be found in most areas throughout Australia, with the most common termite being the subterranean termite. The most prevalent sign of a termite invasion is small piles of sawdust or mud called frass.

Close examination may reveal either small holes or larger ones in drywall, wood beams, furniture, and other surfaces where termites have been eating away at the wood. Termites are terrible, and they destroy your home, which can cause you to have to move out. They can also be dangerous to your home because they can start fires caused by chewing on wires that are unprotected.

Signs Of A Termite Infestation In Houses

The most common symptoms of a wood termite infestation include:

1. Wood chips on wood beams on the top floor of the house.
2. Soft spots in wood furniture, such as drawers and knobs.
3. Sawdust piles on the corners and baseboards of a home, which have spread out in odd directions.
4. Thick dirt-covered piles of wood and debris near the base of a wooden fence.
5. The smell of mildew, ammonia, or sawdust on freshly cut wood. Or the smell of a new floor.

Signs Of Termites In Trees

Most insects inside trees eat the cambium layer of the actively dividing cells between the wood (xylem) and the bast (tissues). While most feed on bark, others, such as leaf-cutter termites, bore into the wood. The symptoms are very similar. You will likely see evidence of a Termite infestation in your trees. If you have any of the common signs below:

• Red patches on the trunk
• Giant holes
• Black spots on the bark
• Fruit drop
• Suspended grub larvae
• Pile-like masses of sawdust or dust

How To Get Rid Of Termites

Termites are a hassle to get rid of. They are built to last. So, the longer they remain, the harder it is to eradicate. All you can do is prevent the infestation from becoming more serious.

Termites are stubborn pests. They can infest your home for several years at a time. Even though you might have noticed small piles of frass, it might take a professional termite exterminator a week or two to detect the infestation and get rid of them. Fortunately, you can get rid of termites with some low-cost methods.

However, there is no approved cure for termites and no method of treatment that can guarantee they won’t come back, but there are many practical measures you can take to stop the spread of termites in your home.

1. Using a termiticide on your termites will cause them to die and prevent them from breeding. Use a safe, nontoxic product to kill all the termites.
2. Inspect the area to see if you can see any of the mounds, then spray the perimeter. This will discourage them from making more mounds.
3. Termite-proof your home by removing clutter that can attract termites.
4. Clean and inspect chimneys, roof beams, attic spaces, and holes.
5. Protect exposed wooden structures from termites.
6. Make sure your home has adequate drainage. Periodically inspect your sump pump and drain pipes, which are often the source of problems in a home, and get any additional drain pipes (which might be underground) covered.

As a homeowner, you are responsible for preventing the spread, so what do you do if you have termites? You can make a huge difference by doing a little bit of each of the suggestions listed above.

There are a few treatments that you can use at home, but you need to work with a professional, in most cases, to prevent the infestation by termites from spreading any further. If you do find out that your home has termites, your first step should be to get a complete termite inspection.