-
Solutions For Termites In The House
September 1, 2021
Termites belong to the following four insect classifications: Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, Order Isoptera and Family Kalotermitidae. There are more…
Termites belong to the following four insect classifications: Phylum Arthropoda, Class Insecta, Order Isoptera and Family Kalotermitidae. There are more than 2 thousand species worldwide with at least 40 of these found throughout Australia; each has their own distinct characteristics and measurements but typically sit between 0.635 – 1.27 cm in length. Despite these differences, most appear soft bodied with straight antennae.
Termite infestations are a silent cause of property damage. The insects may be hiding out in the home ruining it without any immediate sign that they’re there. They are often referred to as the “silent destroyers” because of their ability to sneak into the home and begin their destruction unnoticed.
A termite infestation can really wreak havoc on a home or property before the owner knows what’s going on! Many homeowners don’t even notice until termite colonies grow large enough to start taking chunks from walls or close off plumbing pipes so water doesn’t go anywhere near them anymore.
What Is The Evidence Of Termite Infestation In The House?
Termites are one of the most destructive pests in Australia – and with 20 different species able to chew through solid wood anywhere in or around the home, it pays to know the signs of an infestation before they spread too far. The following are the signs to look at to detect house termites.
1. Floor And Ceiling Damage
Although they mostly eat wood, termites are not picky when it comes to what’s on the menu. They can do serious damage in areas such as laminated floors and ceiling beams without even leaving a trace of their existence behind! If there are spot blisters, cracks or sags on any of these surfaces, there’s a high chance that termites are there.
2. Mud Tubes
Termites are notorious for infiltrating homes, and they often have the upper hand because it is difficult to spot their mud tunnels. Though these structures can be made of dirt or termite droppings, Australia’s most common subterranean termites require special shelter once they emerge from the ground; one way to notice a possible infestation is when the home starts showing tell-tale signs that there could be issues around foundations like concrete cracks in walls and floors which should not normally exist if properly maintained by professionals.
3. Cracks On Paints And Wall Plasters
Termites can cause major structural flaws and paint damage to the walls of a home. Damage often looks like minor water stains, but is actually a serious issue requiring immediate action for repair. This type of termite infestation causes a “bubbling” or ‘honeycombing’ effects on the wall’s surface as they eat away at timber within interior. They also make walls structurally unstable and cause cracks in any existing paints or pastes applied by homeowners before their discovery!
What Are The Things That Attract Termites To A Home?
1. Keeping Piles Of Wood Around The House
Many people who collect and burn firewood in the home like to keep their wood piles near the house, but this can be a problem because termites love infesting these stacks of wood. It’s best to have them raised or away from the home’s foundation so that they don’t get into it.
2. Tree Stumps
Tree stumps are a prime location for termites to begin an infestation on a property. They can easily become soft and moist as they rot, which is like a “welcome home” sign for these pesky pests. They will happily live in the dead wood that’s right outside of their new host’s entrance door! This means the homeowner needs to protect the property against this pest by removing tree stumps from around the house immediately after cutting them down so they don’t have time to get cozy before being rendered useless.
3. Roofs
Roofs can serve as an entry point to a property. A low-hanging roof with branches touching it might be the perfect opportunity for their invasion. If water cannot drain easily from clogged gutters and other areas around the home’s exterior, then there will always be an ample supply available to feed these sneaky invaders.
4. Mulch
Mulch is a great resource for many gardeners, but it can also be a termite’s smorgasbord. Not only that, mulch soaks up water very quickly and provides a much more appealing home to any pesky insect looking for food. If mulch is not covered with something like plastic or wood chips, then bugs will find their way in through the cracks on the walls and start infesting them within days!
What Should Property Owners Do When There Are Termites In The House?
If the presence of termites is detected in the home, do not disturb them. Avoid treating them with regular household fly sprays. Ignore these critters and their workings at all costs- touching will only make matters worse! Termites have survival instincts which allow them to feel disruption and move to another spot while continuing the damage they were causing on the house beforehand.
Do not panic if you have already sprayed or used another pest control technique on the termites. Simply seal them up with tape, and do not disturb their workings in any way. Next, contact a pest control team to organise a full termite inspection on the property. The termite experts will come and inspect all the areas in and around the property that are more vulnerable to infestation with these pesky creatures!
By the time they’re done with this inspection, a full report of their findings from the termite test will specify areas at high risk for future infestations. They’ll then use the most effective termite control method to not just kill these pesky creatures in one area but eliminate all colonies including queens which could be 100 metres away from the house! Not only can the professionals install termite barriers against future infestation, but also provide aftercare services should there ever be an issue again – they are always ready to help!
How To Get Rid Of Termites In The House
1. Termite Baiting
Termite baiting is a technique used to help get rid of termites in the home. It involves applying what are known as Bait Stations around the affected area and has been shown to be very effective for keeping or controlling those pesky little pests!
2. Termite Barriers
One of the most effective ways to control termite problem is with a barrier. Termite barriers can be physical barriers or chemical barriers. Chemical termite barriers use a liquid chemical substance to keep the pests away from the property. Physical barriers on the other hand involve applying a tough, durable sheet to the perimeter and around penetration points. This prevents termites from entering the home by preventing them from being able to slip through cracks in foundation concrete slabs during construction.
Conclusion
Dealing with termites in the home or any other property can be frustrating. This is because as little and tiny as these pests are, they are capable of causing huge destruction within a very short time. For this reason, property owners have to pay close attention to the state of a property and ensure that it is termite-free. When evidence of termite activity is detected around the house, the best thing to do is to contact a reputable pest management company.
-
Top 5 Signs I Have Termites
September 1, 2021
Termites have a reputation for causing a lot of damage to homes. With a reputation to uphold, termite damage is…
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- Wood chips on wood beams on the top floor of the house.
- Soft spots in wood furniture, such as drawers and knobs.
- Sawdust piles on the corners and baseboards of a home, which have spread out in odd directions.
- Thick dirt-covered piles of wood and debris near the base of a wooden fence.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Termite-proof your home by removing clutter that can attract termites.
- Clean and inspect chimneys, roof beams, attic spaces, and holes.
- Protect exposed wooden structures from termites.
- 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.
