Spring brings many things; warm sunny days, beautiful blooms… and the swarming of termites. This is particularly common after rain, and with our current weather trends, this puts Perth homes at risk of termite infestation in which a termite treatment would be necessary.
Termites are one of the most damaging pests to have in your home or businesses due to their ability to create extensive damage to building structures if not managed and controlled by a professional bug killer.
Termites not only cause structural damage that can make buildings unsafe, but can cost you a pretty penny to fix- which is not covered by household insurance.
Termites can be found in all parts of Australia, but are more commonly found in densely populated areas where there are many buildings to infest.
Signs you may have termites
There are several signs you may have termites:
- You can hear them. Termite soldiers make quiet clicking sounds by banging their heads against wood or shake their bodies to alert their colony when disturbed or to alert that there is danger. Termites are also noisy eaters, and you can actually hear them munching away if you listen closely. Interestingly, a recent study found that termites eat twice as fast if they hear rock music playing!
- Spotting flying termites or discarded wings. One of the first signs you may have termites is the presence of flying termites which are called ‘swarmers’ or ‘alates’. These are the male and female termites which have left their nest to find a mate and establish a new colony. You can also look out for discarded termite wings, as they lose them shortly after finding a mate.
- Spotting ‘white ants’. Although termites are not actually ants, they are commonly referred to as ‘white ants’. If you spot a pest that looks similar to an ant but larger in size and creamy white in colour, you most likely have a termite problem on your hands.
- Hollow Sound. Termites consume wood from the inside out leaving only a hollow shell behind. If you knock or tap an area that has been damaged by termites, it will sound hollow or papery- or may even break away.
- Hard to open windows and doors. Termites produce moisture while eating and tunnelling through wood which can cause door and window frames to swell and warp. If your doors and windows have become stiff and difficult to open, it could be time to call in a pest control expert to perform a termite inspection.
- Wood tunnels. Tunnels or ‘galleries’ are a sure sign you have a termite infestation. These can only be seen in a piece of broken timber in or around your home, as they are invisible from the outside.
- Termite droppings. One of the most obvious signs of a termite infestation is their droppings, or ‘frass’. Drywood termites push their faeces outside of their nests, resulting in small black marks and a dark powdery substance surrounding the infested area. This is definitely a sign to organise a Perth termite treatment.
- Have you spotted signs you may have termites? If you have spotted signs you may have termites around your home or business, give the pest control experts at Bug Busters a call today on (08) 9493 1313 to organise a termite inspection. Alternatively, you can discuss pest control solutions for your home by filling out our online enquiry form.
As termites prefer dark, humid and protected environments, they are often only found once it is too late. Contact Bug Busters to organise comprehensive annual termite inspections in your home or business and stop any termite infestations before they start.