House termites are more than just unwelcome guests—they’re like miniature demolition crews with an appetite for timber. Discovering their presence in your woodwork can feel much like a homeowner blindsided by hidden trouble. If left untreated, these pests can quickly undermine the structural integrity of your home. Detecting and addressing their presence promptly is crucial to safeguarding your property from significant damage.
Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty of spotting, evicting, and keeping house termites out for good.
The Benefits of Reading This Termite Guide
This article provides comprehensive insights and practical guidance for homeowners confronting termite issues, covering each step, from identifying an infestation to effectively eliminating and preventing these damaging pests.
You’ll learn about the different types of termites—subterranean, dry wood, and damp wood—each with unique behaviours, preferred habitats, and damage patterns. The article guides you through spotting early warning signs like hollow-sounding wood, discarded wings, and termite frass so you can take action before extensive damage occurs.
What Are Termites?
Termites are small, ant-like insects that thrive on cellulose, a compound found in wood, plant matter, and certain other materials. Though they may seem like humble creatures, termites work together to munch through homes at an alarming rate. Their colonies operate with an organized efficiency that, if it weren’t so destructive, might even be admirable.
There are several types of termites you may encounter in your home:
1. Subterranean termites –
Subterranean termites are termites that live in the soil and require moisture to survive. Unlike dry wood termites, they rarely live inside the wood they consume. Instead, they build elaborate underground nests and travel to food sources (like your home’s wood framing) through mud tubes. These mud tubes help them maintain the humidity they need while moving back and forth between their nest and food.
2. Drywood termites –
Drywood termites are wood-dwelling termites that do not need contact with soil to survive, unlike subterranean termites. They get all the moisture they need from the wood they consume, allowing them to live entirely within dry wood structures. Drywood termites can live in walls, furniture, attics, and hardwood flooring, which makes them particularly troublesome for homeowners.
Because of their ability to thrive without soil, they’re more common in warmer coastal areas. Still, they can be found anywhere with ample wood and low moisture.
3. Dampwood termites –
Dampwood termites are more significant than other termite species and live in damp or decaying wood, often preferring wood with a high moisture content. They are typically found in areas where there’s plenty of moisture, like around leaky pipes, under sinks, in bathrooms, or near areas where wood comes in contact with soil. Since they require high humidity, they are not commonly found in homes unless there’s excessive dampness or decaying wood present.
Each termite type can cause unique problems, so let’s learn how to spot them and kick them out.
Signs of Termite Infestation in Your House
Spotting termites early is critical to stopping an infestation before it gets out of hand. Here are a few telltale signs that termites may be lurking in your walls:
1. Hollow-Sounding Wood
When termites consume wood, they eat it from the inside out, often leaving a thin layer on the surface. It means that if you tap or knock on termite-damaged wood, it may sound hollow or papery. If you notice wood that sounds less solid than it should, it could be a sign of termites hiding within.
2. Discarded Wings
Termites go through a swarming phase where reproductive termites (called alates) leave the nest to start new colonies. After finding a suitable location, these swarmers shed their wings, often near windows, doors, or light sources. Finding tiny, discarded wings around your home is a strong indicator that termites may have invaded.
3. Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites build mud tubes (also called shelter tubes) to travel between their underground colonies and the wood they consume. These narrow tubes, made from soil and termite droppings, help them stay protected from open air and retain moisture. You’ll typically find mud tubes along foundations, walls, beams, or crawl spaces. Breaking open a tube may reveal active termites inside.
4. Frass (Termite Droppings)
Drywood termites leave behind tiny pellets of faeces called frass, which resemble small piles of wood-coloured grains or pepper. Termites push frass out of their tunnels through small holes in the wood, so it often accumulates on surfaces near the infested area. Finding frass is a clear sign of a dry wood termite infestation.
5. Blistered or Bubbling Paint
When termites damage wood, they create tunnels just below the surface. It can cause paint on walls or wood surfaces to appear blistered, bubbled, or uneven, resembling water damage. If you notice areas of paint that seem oddly raised or peeling, termites could be working underneath.
6. Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows
As termites feed on wood, they can cause warping, which may make doors and windows hard to open or close correctly. If you’re experiencing sudden difficulty with doors or windows that were once easy to operate, it could be due to termite damage.
7. Clicking Noises from Walls
Termites are surprisingly noisy. If an infestation is significant, you may hear faint clicking or tapping sounds coming from within your walls. This noise often comes from the termites’ jaws as they chew through wood. Soldiers may also bang their heads against the walls to signal danger to the colony, producing an audible clicking sound.
8. Damaged or Crumbling Wood
In advanced cases of infestation, wood structures may visibly crumble, appear warped, or break apart easily. If you notice wood that is unusually weak or falls apart when touched, it could be a sign that termites have hollowed it out.
9. Swarmers Inside the Home
During certain times of the year (often spring or early summer), termites produce winged swarmers that fly out to create new colonies. If you see swarming termites indoors, it’s a strong indication that there’s an established colony within or very close to your home.
10. Visible Termites
In some cases, you may actually see termites themselves. Subterranean termites are often white to creamy in colour and soft-bodied, while dry wood termites are more brownish. Finding live termites, particularly if they’re indoors, is a direct confirmation of an infestation.
Methods for Getting Rid of Termites
Once you’ve confirmed termites are in your home, it’s time to show them the door. Here’s how:
Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments are a popular option, especially for larger infestations. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Liquid Termiticides: Applied around your home’s foundation, creating a protective barrier. When termites pass through it, they either die or carry the chemical back to the colony.
- Termiticide Sprays: These are surface sprays for indoor use on wood. They repel or kill termites on contact and can be applied to vulnerable areas in your home.
Pros: Effective, long-lasting protection
Cons: Chemical exposure requires professional handling for the best results
We’ve written a comprehensive review guide of the top DIY Chemical Termite Treatments!
Bait Systems
Baiting is a clever alternative that avoids chemicals inside the home. Here’s how it works:
- Stations are placed around your house with termite-friendly bait. Termites eat it and take it back to their colony, which eventually weakens and dies off.
Pros: Safer for families and pets, less intrusive
Cons: Slower than chemical treatments, may need monitoring over time
Natural and DIY Methods
If chemicals aren’t for you, there are natural ways to tackle more minor termite problems. Here are a few:
- Boric Acid: A natural insecticide that can be applied directly to wood or mixed in water. It kills termites by disrupting their digestive systems.
- Orange Oil: Contains d-limonene, which is lethal to termites. Use it in affected areas; it’s non-toxic to humans and pets.
- Nematodes: Tiny worms that hunt down termites. You can release them in termite-infested soil, and they’ll go to work on the colony.
Pros: Eco-friendly, relatively inexpensive
Cons: Limited to small infestations, requires repeated treatments
Professional Termite Control Services
Sometimes, calling the pros is the wisest move. A licensed exterminator has the training and equipment to identify and eliminate termite colonies effectively, especially for severe infestations
Pros: Comprehensive, thorough, and efficient
Cons: Costly, requires scheduling
Preventing Future Termite Infestations
Once you’ve reclaimed your home, you’ll want to keep it that way. Prevention is your best line of defence:
- Moisture Control: Termites love moist environments. Fix leaks, keep gutters clear, and avoid wood contact with the soil to prevent dampness.
- Wood Treatments: Consider treated or naturally resistant wood for structures like decks, fences, and outdoor furniture.
- Yard Maintenance: Clear away old stumps, piles of firewood, and any mulch near your foundation. These can all attract termites.
Additional Tips:
- Schedule annual inspections with a professional to ensure your house stays termite-free.
- Act fast at the first sign of a termite issue. A proactive approach can save you thousands in repair costs down the road.
Conclusion
In conclusion, safeguarding your home from termites involves a thorough understanding of these pests and a proactive approach to both treatment and prevention.
This article has provided
- Essential information on identifying termite types.
- Recognizing signs of infestation.
- Selecting effective treatment options, from DIY solutions to professional interventions.
- With the proper knowledge and preventive measures in place, such as moisture control, wood treatments, and regular inspections, you can protect your home from the structural damage termites cause. Addressing any issues early is vital to maintaining your property’s integrity and value. Taking these steps not only helps eliminate current infestations but also minimizes the risk of future ones, ensuring your home remains a safe and secure environment for years to come.
