Home & Garden
4 signs you have a termite infestation
Termites. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of the home owner quite like these little pests. A common problem throughout the country, one of the best ways to head off a complete infestation is by recognising when your unwanted visitors have arrived, and acting quickly. Here are four “warning termites ahead” signs to look out for.
- Crunching and munching – Did you know that you can actually hear termites eating? If you put your ear up against a surface infested by these little critters you can hear them merrily munching away on your timber. If you can hear the quiet hum of wood being consumed, then it’s time to call the pest man.
- Look out overhead – If you’ve noticed unusual insects taking to the sky in and around your home then you may already be in termite trouble. Flying termites, also called swarmers or alates, are one of the first signs of termite infestation. You may also find discarded wings around your home, another sure sign of unwanted guests.
- Knock on wood – Termites generally eat their way from the inside out, meaning that the timber itself ends up completely hollow, apart from a very thin outer layer or sometimes just the paint itself! Some wood may have been eroded so badly that your hand can actually go straight through to the other side. To cause this much damage, termites would have had to have swarmed in quite a while ago which makes watching out for the early warning signs even more important.
- Swollen doors or windows – While other factors can cause doors and windows to swell or warp, this can also be a sign of termites. As they eat their way through timber, termites produce moisture which cause wood to warp. If you are having issues with your doors and windows, make sure you get to the bottom of the true cause, just in case it is termites.
Have you had termites? How did you spot them? Share with us in the comments below.
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