Termites, one of the most destructive pests, feed on timber and thrive in dark and moist conditions. So, they can cause serious damage to a property if the issue is overlooked for a long time. These wood-eating insects are responsible for more damage to Australian homes compared to natural disasters, including floods, fires, and storms.
One in three homes experiences a termite-related issue at some point, and the structural repair can cost anywhere between AUD 5,000 and AUD 10,000. So, recognising the signs of a termite infestation early is important to prevent any costly repairs.
Although the best way to keep an eye on the pest/termite infestation is by hiring seasoned and certified professionals, you should also know about the signs that indicate the presence of these tiny insects in your property.
Top 10 Signs of Termite Infestation in Your House 2025
Here are the top 10 signs of termite infestation in your home. Let’s have a look.
1. Mud Tubes
Termites build mud tubes to protect themselves and maintain moisture levels while travelling between their food source and underground nest. These are visible along foundations, walls, or wooden structures.
The termites made these tubes using the wood they infest, their saliva, as well as their faeces. So, any such mud tube is a clear indication that there is termite activity on your property.
2. Hollow-Sounding Wood
Termites eat wood and other materials from the inside, leaving behind a thin layer on top. As a result, the walls produce a hollow sound when you tap on them.Also, if the wood is crumbling when you touch the surface of the structure, it is a clear indication of termite problem.
Once these wood-eating insectsdug deep into the wooden structures, they create the mazes. You may seethem in your furniture, walls or floor boards. Since this type of signs indicatesserious issues, make sure youcontact theseasoned professionals to get condition report andtermite treatment.
3. Termite Swarmers
Another sign of termite infestation is the winged termites, which are also known as alates. You can see them around lights during warm summer nights. The alates indicate the nest of termites is not too far from your home, and they are looking to start new colonies by relocating.
It is true that these termites cannotdamagethe house directly, but they can certainly start new nests. So, if you see the alates, get in touch with the professionals since they generally do not fly too far from the nest.
4. Termite Droppings
You can check if you have drywood termites at your place by looking for termite droppings, known as frass. This is something that professionals always looked for when they perform termite inspections.
The drywood termites do not use their faeces to build tunnels. So, they push their faeces out of the entrances of their nest. As a result, you can see a dark powdery substance or small black marks around the area where they are infesting.
5. Stiff Wooden Doors and Windows
A humid or moist environment can cause your doors and windows to swell. As a result, they become difficult to open and close. When termites eat wood from inside at some places, moisture is produced, making the wooden door and window stiff. So, if you are facing such a problem, termites could be the reason behind it.
6. Uneven Floor
You should search for unevenness in your floor coverings. Uneven floors are a very important sign that termites could be present underneath, so you must inspect this area. You can lift the floor covering safely and gain access to the subfloor area.
7. Tunnels in Wood
To ensure whether termites have attacked your house or not, you must thoroughly inspect the wooden structures like joists, beams, or furniture.Look for the presence of galleries or tunnels created by termites. These tunnels are basically pathways for the termites to access their food source.
8. Termites in Garden
If there are termites in your garden or yard, it is an indication of termite attack inside your house. This is a sign that the colonies of the termites are close, and you must opt for the treatment as soon as possible.
A thorough search in your garden or subfloor can also help you to find the nest, which can directly solve all your problems.
9. StrugglingorDying Trees
These wood-eating insects can nest in trees. So,any struggling tree next to your propertycould be a sign that termites are present inside the tree. Professionals can easily drill these trees, check temperature, and provide treatment if the termites are present.
If the temperature inside the tree is more than 40 degrees, it means a termite nest is present and it requires treatment.
10. White Ants
Since termites look like most of the ants in terms of size and appearance, people often confuse them for white ants, but they are not the same.
You can differentiate termites from ants by their straight antenna, double pair of wings, and milky cream or transparent colour. If you find insects inside or outside of your house that look like white ants, there is every possibility that it could be termites.
Need Termite Inspection and Treatment? Get Help from Certified Professionals.
Termites can cause serious damage to the structure of your home. So, keep in mind the signs mentioned above that indicate termite infestation.
Besides prompt termite treatment, you also requirepreventive measures. Get in touch with certified and experienced professionals who offer termite inspections.This is a great way to increase the durability of your furniture and the life of the entire property in the long run.