Do I Have Termites?

HERE ARE THE MAIN WAYS YOU CAN TELL

Perth is one of the best cities in the world to live. We have the weather, the beaches, the space and the clear blue skies. But we also share our lovely city with some less-than-ideal inhabitants. If you are reading this, it is because you're concerned that your property has some uninvited tenants... the dreaded termites! Each year 1 in 5 homes suffer some form of termite attack causing more damage than storms, floods and fires combined... and worst of all, while most other threats to your home can be covered by insurance, damage from termites cannot.

Here's how you can tell if termites have invaded your home or place of business. 

Live Termites

Let's start with the most obvious (though less common) way of detecting termites. If you find live termites anywhere on your property, call Termico immediately. Chances are very high that if there are some termites out and about, there are going to be a lot more hidden from view. Don't touch them, don't try to kill them yourself, and definitely don't touch any wood or materials that may be affected. Just give us a call and we will send out the professionals.

Blistering / Warping Wood

If you see wood that is 'blistering' or warping – most commonly wood flooring – there's a chance that you've got what we call subterranean termites. They prefer softer wood often used in and under flooring, skirting boards, timber windows, and door frames... although most timber, whether soft or hard, is on the termite menu. Termites create what visibly looks like blisters, buckled shapes and other things that just don't look right. If that's happening anywhere on your premises don't fret, just give us a call. Termico deal with termites all day every day, and we will be able to immediately tell if your blistering, warping or damaged wood is in fact caused by termites.

Hollow / Rotten Wood

Termites cause the most damage by eating through materials like wood, effectively hollowing it out. The safest way to tell if a wood structure has been hollowed out is to give it a gentle knock. If it sounds hollow or has a dead thud sound, give Termico a call. When termites hollow-out wood they usually do so out of view... behind walls, under floors etc... so you probably won't be able to see it. The knock test can often reveal a problem that your eyes can't see. For safety, don't interact with any wood or other materials that may be affected. Let our professional Pest Management agents do that for you.

Damaged Gyprock, Paint & Wallpaper

Termites love gyprock almost as much as they love wood, and for the same reason: cellulose. This food source means termites can eat through wood, gyprock, and any other cellulose-containing materials like compressed cardboard and trees. When termites cause damage to gyprock it is often visible to the naked eye. If you see small holes in the gyprock, bubbling paint or damaged wallpaper, that's definitely worth further investigation. 

Damaged Ceilings, Paint & Beams

One of the biggest dangers of termites is that they can weaken materials that provide structural support, such as ceiling beams and roofing timbers. Obviously, this kind of damage requires immediate professional attention, but how can you tell if you have a problem to begin with? It's tricky, because most of the damage is occurring behind the ceiling, but look for visible damage like moisture pooling, paint peeling, blistering and warping. Not all damage will be visible, so if in doubt call Termico and we will check it out for you.

Damp, Water-Stained & Mouldy Areas

Termites love moisture. If you have a moisture problem it will often manifest with visual clues such as water-stained surfaces, affected paint and wallpaper,  excess mould, and/or a musty smell. These things may potentially encourage termite activity, so don't ignore them. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Call Termico and we will thoroughly investigate any suspicious areas.

Flying Termites

For most people, a sure-fire way to make an insect instantly more horrifying is to give it wings. Cockroaches are probably the biggest nightmare in this regard, but even termites have a winged variety named Alates (reproductive termite caste). If you see flying termites – especially in a swarm – that usually means termites have been present for a while, and they are trying to breed and start a new colony. This obviously needs to be stopped immediately. Check for Alates especially in transitional seasons like Autumn and Spring. Alates also drop their wings, but we will get to that in just a moment.

Mud Trails

When subterranean termites travel outside of wood/timber, they often leave behind tunnels that look like trails or tubes. They are lines of mud, typically about as thick as a pencil, that lead from the ground (where the colony is located) to the food source, such as your house, shed (or other cellulose-rich sources like trees). If you see what looks to be mud tubes, call Termico and we will be able to immediately tell if you have a termite problem on your hands. 

Dead Termites, Alates Wings & Termite Droppings

You may notice piles of termites (sometimes dead termites or Alates that didn’t find a mate) or piles of discarded Alates wings. If that's not unpleasant enough, you might even be treated to piles of termite droppings (which look like sawdust or tiny wood pellets) These piles of dead and discarded stuff are an indicator that, somewhere on the premises, there is a living colony of termites. As with discovering living termites, don't interact and don't touch any affected areas. Give us a call and let a professional do a safe and swift assessment of the area. 

I THINK I HAVE TERMITES! WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Firstly, as we have stressed several times above, don't interact with the termites, don't try to kill them, and definitely don't touch any affected areas or materials. This could cause more damage. Just to leave it to us and we will take care of it.

Call Termico Pest Management

Termico Pest Management is Perth's leader in termite prevention. We take our job very seriously! In fact, over 175,000 West Australian home are protected against termites with a Termico termite treatment.

We have the knowledge, personnel and technology to determine where on a premises termites are located, how big the problem has become, and how to fix it. As our reviews will tell you, we take very good care of our customers and their properties, so you are in safe hands. The termites, however, are not. We thoroughly eradicate any and all termites on site, and help prevent them from ever coming back. 

CONTACT TERMICO NOW

Yearly Termite Inspections

Your home is your greatest asset and there is nothing more important than ensuring it is protected against termite attack. Consumer Protection recommends that you arrange for a Timber Pest Inspection by a qualified professional at least once a year. 

Above all, remember the golden rule: the faster you act, the better. A regular inspection for termites and other timber pests can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs by detecting any termite activity before major damage is done.

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Call 9443 9451

Address: 25 Resource Way,
Malaga, Perth WA. 6090

Postal: PO Box 1756,
Malaga, Perth WA. 6944

Fax: (08) 9443 9881
Email: admin@termico.com.au 

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