Feb 27, 2009

How to check for termites

BASED on data of clients collected by Ridpest, it was found that 46% of properties were hit by termites at least once over a period of four years. About 32% of these properties were hit by termites once, 8.5% twice, 2.3% three times, and 3.2% more than three times, within a four-year period.

In other words, at least 11% of these properties monitored by Ridpest were hit by termites at least once every year.

There is an inexpensive way of detecting whether termites have hit your property: a do-it-yourself inspection. All you need are a torchlight and screwdriver. To begin, you need to know where to inspect. Some critical parts of your property that you should pay attention to are doorframes, window frames, wooden or parquet floor and skirting, ceiling, built-in cabinets, wardrobes and storerooms.

Door frame damaged by termites.

Simply put, you need to inspect all areas where there is wood.

The following are some signs to look out for:

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.

Also, do take note of timber beadings nailed to your ceiling. Termites usually attack these pieces of wood before moving up to the roof truss. Look out for mud tubes or cracked spots too.

If you find one of these pencil-sized mud tubes and it is dry, it is probably inactive. To be sure, scrape away a one- to two-inch segment in the middle of the run. If it is active, it will be rebuilt quickly, certainly in a day or two.

Change of colour/texture of wooden area
Watch out for changes in colour of the wooden parts. 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. Other areas to observe are timber or parquet floor, doorframes, window frames and wooden partitions.

Cracks and holes (hollowness of structure
Look out for cracks and holes in areas such as doorframes or window frames - pay 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 screwdriver from bottom to the top frame.

Check for hollow sounds. Termites eat or hollow out channels (called "galleries") inside of wood, leaving the outside intact, but it is often paper-thin. If you suspect a specific area has infestation, look along trim and moulding near the floor for dark or discoloured spots. Push around on exposed wood using the handle of the screwdriver, without damaging 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 a hollow sound. Do note that the bottom portion of doorframes (surface texture) can crack due to water effects, and not necessarily due to termite infestations.

Tick-tick-tick": the sound of termites
When termites tear and break wood fibres, they produce vibrations or sound - so keep an ear out for these sounds. Such acoustic signals, however, can also be generated by other wood destroying insects like powder beetles. Termites also make a sound by striking some parts of their bodies against hard surfaces. To be certain that 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 infested.

Swarmers
Termites will often reveal their presence with the outset 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 are discarded wings lying on a windowsill or in a window well.

If you have found any of these tell-tale signs, 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. You can call Ridpest for further assistance. You can request a pest management advisor to drop by to conduct a FREE 20-point comprehensive termite inspection.

If your property has been confirmed to be invaded by termites, the pest management advisor will advise you accordingly on the options available to resolve your termite problem.

Termite colonies are hard to destroy. To eliminate these colonies, you need the services of professional termite specialists such as Ridpest.