For the average homeowner termites tend not to cross your mind until it’s too late. The floors feel soft underfoot or seem water damaged. Doors refuse to close. Skirting boards are bubbling up or warping. It could be weeks, months or even years before you notice the tell-tale signs of termite activity in your home.
Termites don’t live above ground. They prefer to silently chew away behind walls, under floors and up inside roof cavities. Out of sight and out of mind until the termite damage can no longer be ignored.
That’s why it pays to think proactively about termite protection for your home and spot the signs of hidden termite infestations before they become costly problems.
At Specialist Termite Control, our team are experts at helping homeowners prevent damage by identifying problems early with professional termite inspections. Not sure if you have termites? Don’t wait for the damage to become obvious.
Protect your property by calling in the professionals and booking your termite inspection today.
Hidden damage is the worst thing about termites, because the bigger problem is the financial burden of repairing structural damage after the termites have done their thing. Not only will repairs set you back thousands of dollars, but termite damage is rarely covered by home insurance policies.
Here, we’ll walk you through everything you should know about termites and your home.
Table of Contents
- Why Understanding Termite Activity Matters
- Where Termites Are Most Active Around a Home
- What Do Termites Look Like?
- Termites vs Ants: How to Tell the Difference
- Common Signs of Termite Activity in and Around the Home
- What To Do If You Notice Termites Active Around Your Home
- Book a Professional Termite Inspection with Specialist Termite Control
Why Understanding Termite Activity Matters
One reason why termites are able to be so destructive is that their activity is not always obvious. Other creepy crawlies may leave trails or faeces around the house, but termites make their nest inside timber, under floors and below ground. The damage can sometimes be right under your nose, and what may seem like cosmetic damage can actually indicate a colony quietly destroying your home’s structure from the inside.
Once they find a food source, they don’t hang around, they colonise. Slowly but surely, those termites will work their way through the subfloor, wall frames and roof timbers. The longer they go unnoticed, the more damage they do. Catching termites early limits structural damage, reduces cost of repairs and the complexity of getting rid of termites altogether.
The trouble is, most homeowners don’t start looking into the best termite protection options until they see the damage. Prevention is far better than cure when it comes to termites. With regular inspections and the right treatment plan, it’s easy to stop termites in their tracks before they become a major problem.
The more you know about where termites are active around your home, the sooner you can react and prevent them from causing further damage.
Where Termites Are Most Active Around a Home
Termites won’t attack your home without reason – they need moisture, somewhere dark to live and easy access to wood. These areas tend to be weak points in your home’s structure before you even know about termite damage. If you’ve ever wondered what attracts termites to your home, the answer usually lies in environmental conditions rather than chance.
Subterranean termites are the most destructive species when it comes to Australian homes. They travel via underground colonies and choose hidden access points to enter your home. Remaining hidden for as long as possible, is why you often find they have widespread activity in your home.
Here is where you will usually find termites active around your home.
Subfloors and Crawl Spaces
Unventilated subfloors and crawl spaces are the perfect termite conditions: dark, humid and rarely disturbed. Timber supports such as joists, bearers and posts are also close to the ground soil providing termites with ready access to your home.
Poor ventilation, leaking pipes and poor drainage can lead to increased moisture making these areas irresistible to termites. Since these spaces aren’t fully integrated into our daily lives, problems under the house can occur for years without our knowledge.
Wall Cavities
Wall cavities provide termites with access to move vertically through the property whilst remaining hidden from view. They can work their way through the framing timber and interior supports undetected.
Properties with prior water damage, untreated timber or older style construction have an increased risk. If you suspect your property may be at risk, then professional inspection is the answer.
Roof Voids and Timber Framing
If termites have access to your roof void they can work their way up through the roof’s timber framing undetected. Roof voids provide dry, humid and low-traffic areas of timber, which becomes an easy target for expansion of their colony.
These spaces are particularly susceptible in older properties where termite barriers may not have been installed during construction.
Around Windows, Door Frames and Skirting Boards
Window and door frames provide secondary access points for termites eating their way through walls. Door frames, window frames and skirting boards are usually made from softer timber and provide easy access.
These may be visible once the damage is done, but rarely will you see them before significant hidden damage has occurred. Window and door frames are typically a second point of entry.
Garden Beds, Tree Stumps and Landscaping Near the House
Factors outside of the home also contribute to termite likelihood. Garden beds that touch the home, timber edging, firewood storage, untreated fences and tree stumps can attract termites to your home.
Anywhere where the soil comes in direct contact with timber provides termites direct access to your home. Soil-to-timber contact is a big risk factor for termite infestation. Mulch and irrigation will also increase moisture levels.
What Do Termites Look Like?
Termites can be hard to spot because they spend most of their time hidden in timber or underground which can make them harder to identify. Learning how to recognise what termites look like can ensure that you take swift and appropriate action.
There are physical differences between each type of termite in a colony. This is because they have different roles and responsibilities determined by the termite lifecycle. All termites are social creatures and colonies consist of workers, soldiers and reproductive alates (flying termites).
Worker Termites
Worker termites are the most destructive and prevalent type of termite in a colony.
They typically:
- Have pale cream or off-white coloured bodies.
- Are soft-bodied.
- Are small in size (usually around 3–4mm long).
- Are blind.
Worker termites spend their lives inside timber feeding and building nests. Since they avoid exposure to light and air, you will rarely see workers unless your home is being renovated or timber damaged by them is opened up. If you find small pale insects in timber skirtings or cavities they are probably worker termites and your home may have an active termite infestation.
Soldier Termites
Soldier termites are slightly bigger than worker termites and have darker brown heads that are significantly larger than the rest of their bodies. They have strong jaws that resemble pinchers which they use to protect colonies from intruders such as ants.
Soldier termites:
- Have cream or white bodies.
- Have brown or amber heads.
- Have prominent jaws.
- Are only slightly bigger than worker termites.
Soldiers will not typically cause damage to your home. However, if you find soldier termites indoors they will be with workers doing damage and there is likely an established nest somewhere close by being protected by them.
Swarmers (Winged Reproductive Termites)
Swarmers are also known as alates and are responsible for reproduction and the creation of new colonies. They are often the type of termite that people do see.
Look for:
- Two sets of wings that are equal in length.
- Dark brown/black bodies.
- Are bigger than both soldiers and workers.
- Groups of swarmers near windows and light fittings.
In warm and humid weather termites will swarm which typically indicates a mature colony. Swarmers are seen across Australia typically during spring and the start of summer. They shed their wings after finding a mate and begin working to establish their nest.
Termites vs Ants: How to Tell the Difference
Termites resemble ants, especially when swarmers are involved. You can easily identify each by a few physical characteristics.
Feature | Termites | Ants |
| Body Shape | Straight body with no narrow “waist.” | Clearly pinched waist between thorax and abdomen. |
| Antennae | Straight antennae. | Elbowed or bent antennae. |
| Wings | Two pairs of wings that are equal in size. | Larger front wings and smaller back wings. |
| Colour (Swarmers) | Usually dark brown or black. | Often black, brown or reddish. |
Treatment very different, so it’s crucial to know the difference between ants and termites. However, if you’re still unsure what you’ve found, give us a call and we can inspect to see if there is termite activity that needs to be taken care of right away.
Common Signs of Termite Activity in and Around the Home
Termites are rarely seen in the open, which is why infestations often go unnoticed until significant structural damage has already occurred. Recognising the early warning signs of termite activity can make the difference between a minor treatment and extensive repairs. Because termites work internally, many of the first indicators are subtle and easy to dismiss.
Mud Tubes Along Walls or Foundations
Mud tubes are tunnels created by termites from soil and their saliva. Termites build these tubes when travelling between their nest and food source. They don’t like light or drying out, so the mud tube provides a safe passage for colonies to reach nests without being detected.
Mud tubes are usually spotted on sub-floor brickwork and stumps, along concrete foundations, and along structural beams. Never assume a mud tube is inactive or abandoned as termites can simply retreat if the area is disturbed or are temporarily not in use. Any mud tubes found should have the property further inspected.
Hollow-Sounding or Damaged Wood
Solid wood that sounds hollow when tapped is a good indication that termites have made a home inside. Termites digest wood from the inside out, so the outer shell of wood can appear intact while the inside has been completely eaten away.
As termites tend to eat along the grain of wood, they create tunnels and galleries inside timber that can weaken support beams, joists and floorboards. You may notice paint blistering, sagging floors or wood that sounds thin when you tap it. Unlike water-damaged wood, termite-damaged wood may have small deposits of soil within the damaged areas.
Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows
In some cases, doors and window frames that become difficult to open may be a sign of structural shifting due to termite damage. As the timber frame of your home weakens from the inside out, there may be small movements of the structure as a whole.
Humidity can also cause wood to swell, especially in seasonal areas. However, if you notice stubborn doors or windows and there are other signs of termite activity elsewhere, it may be due to termites eating through the wood around frames or within wall cavities.
Discarded Wings Near Windows or Light Sources
If you find small piles of wings that match, there’s a good chance swarmers have recently flown around your home. Swarmers are reproductive termites that look for light and are often found near windows, glass doors and indoor lighting.
After termites swarm and find a mate, they drop their wings and go on to form new colonies. If you find shed wings inside your home, there’s a good chance you already have termites in your home or somewhere nearby.
Clicking Noises in Walls
While it might sound crazy, termites can sometimes be heard inside walls. Many homeowners describe termite noises as a soft clicking or rustling sound. This can happen when “soldier” termites bang their heads against the walls of their tunnels to alert the colony of danger. It can also occur when worker termites are tunnelling through wood in your home.
These sounds are most apparent at night when the house is quiet. Unexplained noises coming from inside walls are always cause for concern.
What to Do If You Notice Termites Active Around Your Home
Finding termites can be worrying however how you proceed in the beginning stages can save you from potential damage. First do not panic or try and kill them yourself. The last thing you want is for the termites to scatter and spread even further into your property. This will only make it harder for our termite specialists to find them during your termite inspection.
Secondly, don’t spray them. Sprays and over-the-counter chemicals are ineffective in treating termites. Most products cannot penetrate into the areas where termites hide and feast. You’ll be left with a false sense of comfort while they continue to eat away.
So what should you do if you find termites? Call Specialist Termite Control today and arrange for a professional termite inspection. Termite inspections allow our trained specialists to determine the level of activity and identify problem areas. We will advise you on the best ways to protect your home during your inspection.
To ensure that your home stays protected we recommend regular termite inspections every 12 months. Termite inspections are important even if you do not see any termites or have any visible signs of damage. Subterranean termites can remain active for years and cause significant damage to your home before you know it.
After your inspection is completed we will let you know what the best termite management options are. Treating your home for termites will vary in price dependent on the size of your home and how the termites need to be treated. To ensure your home is termite-free, we offer comprehensive treatment options that include chemical barriers, baiting stations, dusting and foaming, and various preventative techniques.
By acting quickly and relying on Specialist Termite Control, you can protect your home, minimise damage, and have peace of mind knowing that any termite ingress is fully addressed by qualified professionals.
Book a Professional Termite Inspection with Specialist Termite Control
Termites won’t announce their arrival and by the time you know you have termites, they could have caused significant damage to your property. That’s why it’s important to act fast. Here at Specialist Termite Control, our team of service technicians based in Melbourne understand the local environment like the back of our hands.
When we conduct a termite inspection we leave no stone unturned. Crawl spaces, wall cavities, roof voids and even your yard will be inspected. Using the latest termite detection equipment we locate live activity and treat your home accordingly. After our inspections, we are able to show you exactly where your home may be susceptible to attack.
Should termites be found on your property we have a range of termite treatment options that can help rid your home of termites and help prevent them from returning. From nest elimination to baiting stations and preventative maintenance our treatments are tailored to your home and your needs.
Don’t wait for termites to take over your property. Contact Specialist Termite Control today for your professional termite inspection.
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