NO 1:   Mud tubes or termite trails

One of the most common ways termites are detected is seeing mud tubes or termite trails. The mud tubes can be found on walls, small gaps (split ends) in the wooden floor skirting, door frames, window frames and other wooden areas.

NO 2: WHEN YOUR VACUUM GOES THROUGH THE SKIRTING WALL OR WHEN YOUR FINGERS SIMPLY ENTERS A DOOR JAMB.

These are some of the most common things we hear from customers as the first sign of termites. As termites have eaten away the structural integrity of the timber, such as a skirting board, door jam or architrave, bumps or pressure against them will easily cause damage.

NO 3: Change of colour/texture of wooden area

Another sign to watch out for is whether the wooden parts in your property have changed colour, for instance from dark brown to light brown. Observe the texture of the wooden area to see whether one particular portion is markedly different from another. Some of the areas to observe are timber or parquet floor, door frames, window frames and wooden partitions.

NO 4: Cracks and holes (hollowness of structure)

Look out for cracks and holes in areas such as door frames or window frames, paying particular attention to the sides. If there is a small gap (split end), look for mud tubes in it. Knock randomly at few spots using a screw driver from bottom to the top frame. Check for hollowness.( BUT PLEASE DO NOT OPEN THE FRAME)

Termites eat or hollow out channels, called galleries, inside of wood leaving the outside intact but, often, paper thin. If you suspect a specific area, look along trim and molding (they like trim) near the floor for dark or discoloured spots. Push around on exposed wood using the handle of the screwdriver, making sure you do not damage the paint. If they are advanced in the area, the wood will crush in.

Check areas that are hidden from movement, such as sides of floor skirting. Knock the skirting with the handle of the screwdriver to detect hollow sound.

NO 5: Sound of termites “tick-tick-tick”

Another way to detect termite infestation is literally to keep your ears open. When termites tear and break wood fibres, they produce vibrations or sound. Such acoustic signals, however, can also be generated by other wood destroying insects like powder beetles, bark beetles, house boarder, and carpenter ants, which also break wood fibres. Termites also make sound by striking some parts of their bodies against hard surfaces although many other insects such as stoneflies also display this strange behaviour. To be doubly sure the sound is made by termites, make a small hole at the infested area. If live termites come out of their hiding place, the spot is considered active with termite infestation

NO 6: Swarmers

Termites will often reveal their presence with the onset of warm weather. A warm day during normally cold or cool weather can trigger this and cause small winged termites that are similar in appearance to ants to emerge from hiding. These termites are called swarmers and indicate that termites are present. Look for them on windowsills or in your basement. Other signs indicating the presence of termites are discarded wings lying on a windowsill or in a window well. ALATES USUALLY GET CAUGHT IN SPIDER WEBBING.

What do you do if one or more of these tell-tale signs are found? Do NOT spray with aerosol or any liquid. Do NOT vacuum the mud traces. Do NOT wipe or clean off the mud traces. Seal the hole or crack with cellophane tape.

If you are still not too sure whether the indications that you have observed are signs of termite infestation, you can call REDKNIGHT for further assistance.

If it is confirmed that termites have already invaded your property, our Termite experts will advise you accordingly on the options available to resolve your termite problem.

Killing termites at the place where they feed may sound simple and appear to be logical, but killing them at the place where they live is the ultimate solution to your termite problem. Termite colonies are hard to destroy. To eliminate these colonies, you certainly need the services

NO 7: TERMITE FEACES

Termite droppings, which look like small, ridged, wood-collared pellets.

NO 8: Tight fitting doors & windows

As termites devour timber, their excrement or ‘mud’ creates a protective environment that traps heat and moisture. This causes timber to swell up, making it difficult to open a window or close a door.

NO 9: Bucking in wood and plasterboard wall surfaces.

NO 10: GARDEN TIMBER SLEEPERS & A FALLEN TREE

“Termites do also eat treated timber”     “dying tree cut down found a termite nest in it”

While gardening when you move a garden sleeper and find small whitish termites emerging from the sleeper or when a tree dies suddenly!

Interior damage may not become apparent until infestations are full-blown. Termite damage sometimes appears similar to water damage. Outward signs of termite damage include buckling wood, swollen floors and ceilings

NO 11: FINDING A TERMITE NEST (EARTH MOUNT OR ABOREAL TYPE)