Termites, often referred to as “white ants” (although they are in fact, not ants and are not even related to ants!) are wood eating insects. They feed on decomposing wood and wooden objects and often nest in soils.
Termites are ecologically important as they assist decomposition. However, with urbanisation, human habitats and termite habitats have collided and they are now pests in many homes. Termite infestation, damage and property losses may add up to as much as $800 million per year!
Termites live in soil, nest in soil and eat wood that is near to their nests or colonies. So how do these pests make their way inside our houses and worse, inside anything remotely wooden? Houses are built on top of the ground and every house has some wooden component – be it staircases, your porch or even the foundations of the house, which makes termite traps by Envirobug a true must-have for everyone!
Termites are attracted by cellulose, moisture and warmth and any kind of wood that touches their nest is the best possible food source. Termites make their way through the wood that makes contact with their nest to other wooden materials inside and outside the house. Termites can also crawl through cracks and gaps in the foundation as well as in concrete blocks.
What are the signs of termite damage?
Termite signs can be hard to spot in plain sight during the first few days of colonisation. Sometimes, the signs of termite infestation are covert. But it’s critical you keep a lookout for warning signs of termite infestation that can often help in preventing severe property damage. Common warning signs of how to spot termite damage include:
- Mud tubes on walls that look like accumulation of soil and dirt.
- Peeling paint from damaged walls.
- Wood tunnels that can be found in infested wooden panes and other areas.
- Discarded wings and faeces near the infested site.
- Hollow sound on wood when tapped.
- Loosened tiles and squeaky floorboards.
- Termite pellets that often resemble salt or pepper piles.
- Patterns on wood, walls and furniture that look like mazes.
Depending on the type of wood infested, there are three types of termites:
- Subterranean Termites
- Drywood Termites
- Dampwood Termites.
Signs of termite infestation can differ based on termite type and some of these can be hallmark signs indicating what kind of termite has infested your home. Keep an eye out for the following:
Subterranean Termite Infestation Signs
- Swarmers or flying, mature termite
- Discarded wings inside the house
- Strange noises from inside the walls and wood
- Hollow sounds upon tapping on wood
- Mud tubes and galleries.
Drywood Termite Infestation Signs
- Tunnels and chambers inside infested wood
- Droppings or pellets near the infestation site
- Clicking noises in the infested wood or wall
- Discarded wings that resemble fish scales
- Sagging floors, walls, and ceilings.
Dampwood Termite Infestation Signs
- Fecal pellets near the infestation site
- Infested wood feels soft on touch
- Dead swarmers or mature termites
- Hollow sounds upon tapping on wood.
Our enviro pest control can help you with all the necessary traps!
