Termite Infestation
Do You Have a Termite Infestation?
Potential Evidence of a Termite Infestation
Because termites eat wood from the inside out, and usually in dark and obscure locations in the home, a termite infestation is rarely easy to spot. The best way of determining if you have a termite infestation is to call in a termite expert to conduct a thorough inspection. However, the astute observer may notice one or more of the following signs of a termite infestation:
•Bowed or sagging wood – wood that has been eaten on the inside may begin to depress under the weight of something on it, and may indicate a termite infestation;
•Mud tunnels – subterranean termites move underground and build little mud tunnels up and into the home. Check for a termite infestation by checking the exterior of your home for signs of entry;
•Stains on timber that look a little like water damage may be evidence of a termite infestation as where there are termites, there is moisture;
•You may find evidence of a looming termite infestation along your wooden fence, in wood in the garden or piled near your home;
Keep in mind that most evidence of a termite infestation will be out of your view, which is why it’s so important to have a termite expert inspect regularly for termite infestation if you live in an affected area – which includes most of Australia.
What Sort of a Termite Infestation Do You Have?
There are numerous species of termite in Australia but most of them aren’t interested in your home. If you have a termite infestation, subterranean termites are the most likely suspects. They build large colonies near homes, and then travel underground to their food source.
Australian Drywood and Dampwood termites are rarely involved in a suburban termite infestation however, in Queensland the West Indian Drywood Termite has been inadvertently introduced and has caused quite a problem. Drywood and Dampwood termites behave differently to their subterranean cousins in that they don’t travel underground and tend to build smaller colonies inside the wood they’re feasting on – making it harder to identify a termite infestation involving these species.
Fortunately, there have been great advancements in equipment that can be used to locate a termite infestation. Thermal imaging cameras, moisture detection equipment, and termite radars that operate on microwave technology are some of the latest tools the astute termite expert can employ to check for a termite infestation.
A termite infestation that isn’t caught early can be a costly event. If you suspect a termite infestation on your property, don’t delay action – speak to your local termite expert at the earliest opportunity.