How To Spot Termite Activity

We recently visited a customers’ home which was infiltrated with termites. Two common questions from our clients are 1. What signs do I look for to spot termite damage? 2. How do I prevent termites from attacking my home.

Read on to find out the answers to both of those questions so no unnecessary home renovations need to take place.

Firstly, what to look out for if you’re suspicious of termite activity…

The main sure sign of termite activity are mudding tubes. Mudding tubes are made of small pieces of soil and wood and are most commonly used by subterranean termites. These mudding tubes help protect termites from predators and dry environments while traveling between a food source and their nest. 

This particular customer initially had a powerpoint blow in the kitchen. The position of this powerpoint was on a shared wall to the bathroom. If it wasn’t for this simple electrical fault the termite infestation may never have been uncovered.

They then noticed mudding tubes behind the back of their shower, the same wall that backed the Kitchen. This prompted the home owner to remove part of the wall of their shower which confirmed their suspicion of termite activity. What we uncovered was monumentous with significant damage having been done by the termites living in the wall.

So, what is the reason that termites found a home behind the wall of the bathroom?

Termites love water and moisture so always ensure that walls are waterproofed correctly, and that all those leaky taps, downpipes, water tanks, shower waste, hot water and air conditioning units water flow are redirected away from the building and in working order. These make for some very conducive conditions for termites.

This particular home was a Heritage Listed home, meaning some areas were not waterproofed to the current standard of practice we need to adhere to today.

Keen to know what was the extent of the damage was?

The termites did significant structural damage to the walls by eating out the bracing timbers as you can see from the below photos. They managed to infiltrate the bracing timbers three quarters of the way up the wall, making for one very large feeding ground.

How did we treat the termites?

We treated this termite infestation with Termidor^® Foam. Termidor Foam is a robust dry foam formulation that expands to fill termite nests, galleries and other active workings. Termidor Foam will permeate intricate termite workings and carton material without dissipating and turning to water as other foams tend to.

Termidor Foam should be applied directly to termite nests (including bivouacs) in trees, stumps, posts, power poles, mounds and wall cavities. Termidor Foam can also be applied to termite activity when the nest cannot be located, such as active workings in timber and wall cavities and in bait stations.

Is Termite Damage covered in your Insurance?

It’s only when we have something go wrong that we think to check if we’re covered under our Home & Contents Insurance Policy. This is why we always suggest to have your home inspected and treated for Termites every 12 months to show to your Insurance Company that you’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure your home is protected. It’s always a good idea to ask your Insurance Provider if your policy covers your home for Termite Damage.

The team at Termidor know the impacts of Termite damage and so they’re here to help with their Warranty Plan, the highest level of termite protection. You can read more about the Termidor Warranty here.

Have you ever seen a Queen termite? They’re a rarity but we found one. Read about the Queen of the Castle here.