What Signs Indicate The Need For A Termite Inspection?

Although homeowners may not be able to see these small bugs, they certainly aren't out of mind when it comes to the destruction they may cause. Under the radar, termites may eat away at your home's framework, causing expensive repairs and other issues if you don't take action. It is crucial to recognise the early indicators of termite activity to keep your home healthy and free of serious damage.

We aim to show you the most important signs you need a termite inspection to spot possible infestations before they become big problems. Anytime you know these signs, whether you just bought a house or have lived there for years, you can be proactive about finding and getting rid of termites. Stay tuned as we walk you through the most important signs of termite activity, ensuring your home stays strong and safe against these sneaky attackers.

When Should You Get A Termite Inspection?

Regular termite inspections are just as important as oil changes for your vehicle. You may think about termite inspections infrequently, but putting them off too long may worsen the problem. Furthermore, it may end up costing you more money.

Nobody loves termites near their home. We try to forget or block them from our minds, but ignoring these pests does not make them disappear. Certain termites, such as Subterranean termites, can tunnel beneath your property. So, when did you last have a termite inspection?

Termite traps are great, but you should still check your home often for signs of termites. The same is true for a chemical shield against termites. There will be holes in your termite defences that these hungry, soft-bodied bugs will look for and find. This is what you need to know:

1. Testing for termites once a year
2. Damage caused by termites to your home
3. Duration of termite treatment
4. Verify station baits for termites.
5. Estimates for termite inspections

Signs That You Need A Pest Check

Many species of animals and insects call Australia home, and if given the chance, they may wreak havoc on your property. Pests can invade any place they find a haven if you don't call a professional immediately. It may be your house, your eatery, or even your place of employment. Consider these typical indicators that it's time to call the pros for a pest inspection if you're still on the fence about unwanted pests in your home.

Noises At Night

• Have you heard any strange sounds in your house lately?
• See any crackling, squeaking, or squirming in the walls?
• You may have heard unusual noises from the basement or an unoccupied guest room.
• Some telltale signs of a pest infestation include the appearance of new, minor noises or the fact that these noises seem more common at night.
• Termites, rodents, mice, or even snakes hiding in your walls could be the culprits behind these noises.

Animal Waste Or Skin

• This is among the most glaring indicators that a pest inspection may be necessary at this very moment. When pests like cockroaches, mice, or rats invade a space, their droppings will be easy to spot.
• You might not immediately notice roach droppings as you would those of mice or rats. However, if you notice a strange trail resembling ground coffee, it could strongly indicate that roaches have invaded your home.
• It's natural for snakes to lose their old skins as they get bigger. Do not touch this skin if you find it in your attic, basement, or the back of a rarely used closet. You should call a professional right away.
• If you come across shed skin in your home, it's crucial to contact experts for a safe removal process. Snakes pose a threat if disturbed, so it's best to avoid them.

Sawdust Pile Ups

• Even a small amount of sawdust indicates that your home is under attack from within. If given the opportunity, termites may wreak havoc on structures and timber possessions.
• The stability of your home is in jeopardy due to termites. Therefore, it's crucial to contact a specialist as soon as you discover even little sawdust piles.
• Unfortunately, termites are very hard to eliminate because they live in the wood in your home, which is what they eat. If you see any signs that termites may have gotten into your home, you should immediately call a professional to do a termite or pest check. Termite droppings look like small piles of wood dust.

Termite Control That Will Keep Your House Safe

To keep termites at bay, homeowners can take several measures. The following are some general "best practice" recommendations we usually recommend to our customers.

Performing Regular Checks

Of course, setting up regular checks is the best way to keep termites away. If you have a licenced professional do regular checks, any problems will be found early on before they cause a lot of damage that costs a lot to fix.

Protecting Against Wetness And Leaks

One of the most common entry points for termites and the harm they do is dampness. Termites will almost always be active in an area of a home that has seen water damage because they serve as an attractant. One of the most common ways to avoid termites is to fix leaking fixtures as soon as possible. This includes faucets, shower heads, and toilets.

A/C units and water heater overflow lines are two more things that can cause dampness and moisture. Most of the time, the overflow pipe or draining outlet is placed against the side of the house, which makes the water pool at the wall's edge. Again, this makes termites want to live in the area and generally get into the house. 

Prevention Methods:

• Stop the dripping of any faucets, shower heads, or toilets immediately.
• Ensure the air conditioning drip tubes don't leak against the property's edges. 
• Dig a hole or install a drain to divert water away from houses.
• Ensure no hot water systems are leaking close to the wall's edge. Redirect the water away from the property or install a drain.
• Any signs of wetness inside the house should be checked out right away.
• Particularly during heavy or persistent rainfall, ensuring that your roofing and guttering are in good condition is vital.

Making Sure Weep Holes Are Clear

Termites can also come from weep holes around the outside of a property that are covered with plants, mulch, or dirt. Australian standards say there must be at least 75 mils of space between the ground and the way to your weep hole or the soil. Put another way; there needs to be enough space between the ground and the very bottom of each weep hole so that any termite tracks can be seen.

To completely or partially cover the weep holes, many homeowners place earth, mulch, grass clippings, or even plant beds along the edge of the wall. Termites can easily access the property's framework by tunnelling through the earth or plants and then slipping through the weephole.

Prevention Methods:

• Do not put soil, mulch, or flower beds over weep holes. Do not let them go. At least 75 mm of space should be between the ground and the bottom of each weep hole.
• Do not use a sealer to cover up weep holes. These holes allow air to flow through your home in case moisture gets into the base.
• Avoid blocking or covering up weep holes while laying pavers or concrete.

Do Not Place Garden Beds In Front Of Your House

Even though this relates to what was said before, it bears mentioning because it is so prevalent. For reasons already mentioned, you should not grow plants or gardens right up to the house, and you should also not water that area frequently.

Prevention Methods:

• Garden beds should not be close to the walls of your home.
• Establish flowerbeds or other plants at least a few metres from the house.
• Pay attention to where you use a hose, sprinklers, or other device to water.

Prevent Wooden Structures And Footings From Touching The Ground Straight On

Termites should always be considered when building any timber structure outside the home, including decks, pergolas, and steps. Hardware stores provide metal stirrups made expressly to keep footings and other wood constructions from directly contacting the ground. There should be 75mm of space between the ground and any decking, latticework, steps, and other similar materials, just like with weep holes.

We see many termite infestations because people build an addition or deck against the side of their house and pour concrete into the ground for the footings or uprights.

Prevention Methods:

• Before undertaking any construction, it is always a good idea to consult a builder and pest control expert.
• Make sure the right materials are used, like metal stirrups for the footings.
• Protect your house by following all local, state, and federal requirements.

Spa Baths

Homeowners commonly install big spa baths; these can be found in the backyard, next to the house, or even sunken within timber decking. Installing a spa in this manner increases the likelihood that termites may invade, as the combination of wood, water, and dirt provides an ideal habitat for these pests.

In some cases, termites have eaten through the whole frame of a spa bath. They got in by digging through the bricks in the ground. Once more drawn to the water in the ground. People who own their homes need to know that termites are always looking for wood and natural water sources.

Prevention Methods:

• Putting spa pools on wood decks is only good if certain measures were taken during construction (such as using stirrups, as described earlier) and there is enough drainage.
• Do not put your spa right up against a property wall.
• Before you put in your spa, you should talk to a professional pest control expert.

Stay Away From These Mulch Varieties

Mulch also appears frequently as a factor. The kinds of mulch that homeowners use are rarely, if ever, considered. A common practice among homeowners is to drop by a nearby landscaping supply yard, load up a box trailer with mulch, and then scatter it all over their yard. People who think they're saving money by digging up mulch or woodchips from local council cleanups from the side of the road are even worse because they may be hiding termites in there.

Prevention Methods:

• You should only ever use termite-resistant mulch. In this blog article, we discussed this.
• When you buy dirt for your yard, you should always ask what kind it is.
• You should never pick up mulch from an unidentified source from the roadside.

Only Store Wood And Firewood That You Have Used.

Storing firewood against the sides of houses is unquestionably a major contributor to termite infestations. In addition to being stowed on the ground, they are frequently propped against the house and, in several instances, draped over the weep holes. Another issue that occasionally arises is the presence of firewood stored beneath the property.

No matter what you store, be careful where you put it. Store firewood and wood away from the edge of the wall so that if termites try to get in from the outside, you can see their mud trails going up the wall and into the house.

Conclusion

For homeowners to detect early indications of termite activity and save expensive repairs, termite inspections are essential. Ignoring termite inspections can exacerbate the issue and increase costs. Regular termite inspections are as essential as routine oil changes for cars. Termite infestations are frequently indicated by sawdust piles, animal faeces or skin, and noises made at night.

Roaches, mice, and rats are among the pests that can infiltrate any area they find comfortable, and their excrement is plainly visible. A weird trail that looks like ground coffee may be an indication of a roach invasion. However, as they grow, snakes shed their old skins, so it's best to call a professional right once for a safe removal. Stacks of sawdust suggest that termites are attacking your house from the inside, and they can cause extensive damage to buildings and wooden items.

Regular inspections, guarding against moisture and leaks, repairing leaking fixtures, and maintaining gutters and roofing are all examples of termite control strategies. Frequent inspections can assist in spotting issues early on and avert expensive repairs.

Homeowners should construct drains to redirect water away from buildings, remove dripping faucets, shower heads, toilets, and air conditioning drip tubes, as well as conduct routine inspections with a licenced professional to keep their property safe from termites. In addition, after a significant downpour, make sure the gutters and roof are in good shape and look for indications of moisture inside the home. Homeowners may guarantee their property remains sturdy and secure against termites by identifying these indicators and adopting preventative actions.

Termites can infiltrate a property via weep holes that are concealed by vegetation, soil, or mulch. According to Australian guidelines, there must be a minimum of 75mm of distance between the earth and the soil or weep hole in order to view termite trails. Homeowners should use sealers to cover weep holes, avoid blocking or covering them while laying pavers or concrete, and avoid filling weep holes with dirt, mulch, or flower beds in order to minimise termite infestations.

Plants should be established at least a few metres away from the house, and garden beds shouldn't be situated close to the walls. It is a good idea to build wooden structures outside the house, making sure to include metal stirrups to prevent footings and other wood structures from coming into direct touch with the earth. Prior to construction, speak with a builder and a pest control specialist. Also, make sure you abide by all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

The combination of wood, water, and soil in a backyard spa bath or submerged in timber decking can make termites more likely to invade. Spa installation on wood decks necessitates appropriate drainage and building methods. Seek advice from a licenced pest control specialist prior to installing a spa.

To keep termites out of your yard, store wood and firewood away from the wall's edge and use mulch resistant to termites.

Content Summary

• Homeowners often overlook termites, but these pests can cause significant damage to a home's structure.
• Recognising early signs of termite activity is crucial to prevent costly repairs and maintain a healthy home.
• Regular termite inspections are essential for early detection and management of infestations.
• Ignoring termite presence can lead to worsening problems and higher expenses.
• Subterranean termites can tunnel beneath properties, posing a hidden threat.
• Termite traps and chemical barriers are helpful but require regular checks for breaches.
• Annual termite inspections are recommended to identify and address termite activity.
• Various pests, including termites, can cause havoc in Australian homes and businesses.
• Strange noises at night, like crackling or squeaking, may indicate a pest infestation.
• Visible animal waste or shed skins in the home are clear signs of pest presence.
• Sawdust piles are a telltale sign of termite damage and require immediate attention.
• Homeowners should implement regular checks to detect termites early.
• Addressing dampness and leaks is crucial to prevent termite infestations.
• It's important to ensure proper drainage around the property to discourage termites.
• Keeping weep holes clear is necessary to prevent termite access through them.
• Avoid placing garden beds close to the house to reduce termite attraction.
• Termites are drawn to wood structures in contact with the ground, so prevention is key.
• Spa baths installed without proper precautions can attract termites.
• Certain types of mulch can encourage termite activity; termite-resistant options are recommended.
• Storing wood and firewood properly is crucial to avoid attracting termites.
• Professionals should be contacted immediately upon spotting signs of termites or pests.
• Leaking fixtures in the home should be fixed promptly to deter termites.
• Air conditioning and water heater leaks should be managed to prevent moisture buildup.
• Home inspections should include checking for signs of wetness and ensuring good roofing and guttering.
• It's vital to maintain a clear space around weep holes to monitor for termite tracks.
• Earth, mulch, or plant beds covering weep holes can allow termites easy access to a property.
• Homeowners are advised not to seal weep holes, as they provide necessary ventilation.
• Concrete or pavers should not cover up weep holes during installation.
• Watering near the house should be minimised to avoid creating a termite-friendly environment.
• Timber structures outside should be built with precautions to prevent direct ground contact.
• Consulting with builders and pest control experts is advised before starting any outdoor construction.
• Compliance with local building codes is essential to prevent termite infestations.
• Spa installations require careful planning to avoid becoming termite hotspots.
• Mulch from unknown sources could potentially harbour termites and should be avoided.
• Only termite-resistant mulch should be used in landscaping to reduce the risk of infestation.
• Firewood storage practices can significantly affect the likelihood of termite problems.
• Proper storage of wood materials is essential to prevent hidden termite access.
• Timely professional inspections can save homeowners from extensive termite damage.
• Educating oneself on the signs of termite presence allows for quicker response times.
• Implementing termite prevention methods is more cost-effective than dealing with an infestation.
• The stability of a home can be compromised by unchecked termite activity.
• Termite droppings, resembling small piles of wood dust, are a clear indicator of infestation.
• Ensuring proper ventilation and moisture control in the home is key to termite prevention.
• Damp conditions attract termites, making water damage repair a priority.
• Structural modifications should always consider termite prevention measures.
• Awareness and vigilance are necessary to maintain a termite-free home.
• Regular maintenance and inspections are the cornerstone of effective termite control.
• Homeowners should act promptly upon finding any signs of termites or pests.
• Professional pest control services are essential for safe and effective termite removal.
• Preventative measures and regular monitoring are the best defence against termites.