Signs of Termites: 10 Signs of an Infestation in Your Home

Key Takeaways

• The 10 main signs of termites are mud in timber cracks, hollow timber, mud tunnels, a nest, bubbling paint, mud falling in walls, termites in the garden, an uneven floor, tree die back and swarmers.
• Termites hide in dark, humid spaces, so you usually notice damage before the insects.
• If you see mud in timber cracks, do not touch the area. Call a professional immediately.
• Termites affect roughly a third of properties across Australia, so early detection matters.
• A standard termite inspection costs $250 to $500.

Signs of Termites: How Do You Identify Termites?

Termites are small insects that thrive in damp, dark conditions and feed off timber. The termites colonise and cause damage to buildings, homes and other infrastructure. Early detection of an infestation and an effective termite treating solution is crucial to avoid expensive repair costs to your biggest asset.

Dubbo's hot, humid climate is favourable for termite nesting. Termites hide in dark, humid spaces, so you usually notice damage before you see the insects. If you find any of the termite damage signs below, your property could have an infestation.

Buying a Property?

If you are buying a property, we also carry out pre-purchase pest inspections, so you know about any termite activity before you commit. Never assume a property is termite free.

10 Signs of a Termite Infestation in Your Home

1. Mud in cracks of timber work. Termites will fill the cracks in skirting boards and timber work that they are present in to prevent predators from entering. They also use this to regulate the temperature in their tunnels. If you see this mud around architraves, door frames or windows, please do not touch the area. Call a professional immediately.
2. Hollow timber. Cracked and hollow timber are early warning signs of termites in house. Use a screwdriver to tap skirting boards, window frames and architraves and listen for a hollow sound or inconsistencies in the sound. If hollowness is detected, we recommend acting on this as soon as possible.
3. Mud tunnels. Termites live underground, building tunnels to sources of food. These tunnels leave irregular patterns made from mud-like material in your home's subfloor. Regular inspections of the subfloor area are extremely important, and any moisture there should be rectified, as high moisture can attract termite attack. Read more about termite mud tubes.
4. Termite nest. A thorough search in your yard and subfloor areas is important to determine if a mound nest is present. Finding the nest can directly solve all your problems. However, if the nest cannot be found, termite baiting is the best course of action. Our guide to identifying and dealing with termite nests can help.
5. Bubbling paint on Gyprock and timber trim. Bubbling paint can indicate that termites are present underneath and that it could be hollow beneath. Look around for bubbling paint on wood panels, architraves, skirting boards and Gyprock by holding your torch sideways and looking for imperfections.
6. Mud falling in walls. If you have termites inside your wall cavities, they can be found by simply banging against the wall. You can hear the mud drop within the wall cavity, which indicates a significant termite infestation. Rarely, they can even make a ticking noise inside the wall in response to vibrations.
7. Termites in the garden. A very good indication of termite attack inside a building is the presence of termites in the garden or yard. This indicates that the colonies are close and should be treated as soon as possible.
8. Uneven floor. An uneven floor, including uneven lino, is a good indication that termites may be present underneath. Floor coverings should be lifted, or access gained to the subfloor area, to assess the possibility of termite damage.
9. Die back on trees. Termites can nest in trees, so die back or struggling trees can indicate that termites are present inside that tree. A professional should inspect and treat these trees. See our page on termites in trees.
10. Termite swarmers (alates). Winged termites can be seen around lights on warm summer nights. They indicate there is a nest not too far from your home, and they are looking to relocate and start new colonies. These termites can't eat your house directly but do start new nests. If sighted, call for a professional.

Why Early Detection of Termites Matters

Termite damage often goes unnoticed until it is severe, so prevention is generally much cheaper than repair. Termite damage is not covered by buildings insurance, so the cost of repairs falls on the property owner.

Brick and concrete construction doesn't fully protect a home, since termites can enter through wall cavities and small cracks in mortar or slabs. That is why regular inspections of the subfloor, walls and garden are worth the effort.

What to Do If You Spot Signs of Termites

A termite inspection is paramount and should be carried out by a qualified pest technician. Until then, follow these steps:

• Do not touch or spray the termites, because disturbing them can cause them to spread.
• Cover the affected area with masking tape and leave the rest to professionals.
• Book a termite inspection as soon as possible.

A standard inspection costs $250 to $500, and a combined termite and building inspection costs $400 to $800. Once termites are confirmed, a chemical barrier is effective for 5 to 8 years, while baits take 8 to 21 days to work. Our guide to termite treatment cost explains what happens next, and annual inspections keep your protection working.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs of termites?

The main signs are mud in timber cracks, hollow timber, mud tunnels, a nest, bubbling paint, mud falling inside walls, termites in the garden, an uneven floor, tree die back and swarmers. Termites hide in dark, humid spaces, so you usually notice damage before the insects.

What are the signs of termites in a house?

Cracked and hollow timber are early warning signs of termites in a house. Tap skirting boards, window frames and architraves with a screwdriver and listen for a hollow sound. Bubbling paint, an uneven floor and mud falling inside the walls are also signs.

Can I hear termites in the walls?

Sometimes. If termites are inside your wall cavities, you can hear the mud drop when you bang against the wall, which indicates a significant infestation. Rarely, termites can even make a ticking noise inside the wall in response to vibrations.

What are termite swarmers?

Swarmers, or alates, are winged termites that you can see around lights on warm summer nights. They indicate there is a nest not too far from your home. They can't eat your house directly, but they do start new nests, so call a professional if you see them.

How much does a termite inspection cost?

A standard termite inspection costs $250 to $500, depending on the size of your property. A combined termite and building inspection costs $400 to $800. An inspection finds the signs you may have missed, so treatment can be planned and priced accurately.

IF YOU FOUND SIGNS OF TERMITES IN YOUR HOME, WE CAN HELP!

Any of these signs can indicate a termite infestation in your house, and we recommend calling professionals in as soon as possible for a termite inspection or a free quote. Always be on the lookout for early warning signs of termites, because it could save you a lot of money down the line.

If you're in Dubbo or the surrounding areas, give Dentec Pest Management, a family-owned business with more than 20 years of experience, a call on 02 6887 2825, book online or fill out our Contact Form.