Stem the starving termite hordes

If there's one word that's guaranteed to strike fear into the hearts of homeowners, it would have to be termites. Left to their own devices, termites will literally eat you out of house and home, which is why it's imperative to organise yearly pest inspections and if you live in a high risk area - twice yearly is highly recommended. Know the signs of termite infestation and exact the appropriate action with our termite guide.

Signs of termite infestation

Termites are small insects, creamy white in colour, have six legs and closely resemble ants in appearance but without the "waist". They seem to prefer softwoods such as pines and the faster growing hardwoods. They often flourish undetected until they've caused substantial and costly damage to your home so it's in your best interests to detect and eradicate them before the damage is too severe.

Forewarned is forearmed, so it's important to know what to look for when checking your premises for termite activity. The most obvious signs are:

• Sagging doors, warped walls, any hollow sounding beams
• Discoloured or blistering paint
• Depressions in wood or moisture collecting in unusual places
• Springy floors or steps
• Wood rot, as it can attract termites
• Mud shelter tubes

If you notice any of these signs you should organise for a licensed pest inspector to check around your home as soon as possible to assess severity of infestation and advise you of the best action to take.

Recognising active termite sites

Evidence of recent or new termite activity can be determined by the presence of live termites and/or mud leads that have been rebuilt after previously being cleaned off. Wood damage and /or mud leads with no visible termites are signs of old activity. At any rate, you need to remain on alert as termites can reappear if they are still in the area.

Controlling termite infestations

The only way to adequately eradicate termites and prevent future reinfestation is to develop a regular pest control regimen. Discuss it with your pest controller who can advise you on the latest products and technologies for keeping termites at bay.

If you suspect termite infestation or you're already seeing serious signs of damage, search for a qualified local pest controller right here on Pests No More ; it's a good idea not to delay. When it comes to termite problems, it's definitely a case of the cure being needed sooner rather than later.