Like any pest inspection, you should consult a professional if you think you may have drywood termites on your property but are not completely sure whether or not this is the case. It is worse to wait until you have verified they are present before taking a pest control measure because their numbers will have built and the damage they will have been able to do will have worsened. That being said, there is no point calling in a pest controller if you don't have termites. Whether you ask for professional help during an inspection or choose to undertake one on your own, here's what you should be looking out for.
Boreholes In Wood
Unlike subterranean termites, which tend to live under rotting tree stumps and piles of firewood, drywood termites like to reside inside timbers. Therefore, they need to be able to access wooden structures. They do so by boring into them from the outside leaving a tell-tale borehole behind them. During your pest inspection, look for small holes that are about 2mm in diameter. If you notice these in your home's weatherboarding, floorboards or structural timbers, then it is likely drywood termites have been present at some point and could be living inside.
Flaking Paint
If you have painted wood around your property, such as doors and window frames, then they should be protected from a drywood infestation. That said, look especially closely at areas that haven't been treated recently with a fresh coat during your pest inspection. If you notice the paint is bubbling up, blistering or looking flaky, then it could indicate the presence of drywood termites. Seek professional advice under such circumstances.
Hollow Sounding Wood
When drywood termites are inside the wooden structures of homes and business premises, they live off the fibres found inside timbers. Consequently, the longer they've been inside them, the more hollow they become. Tap on beams and joists—they should sound solid. If they echo with a hollow sound or, even worse, make a rattling noise, then it is probably termites that have eaten them out from the inside. Your pest inspection may have revealed substantial structural damage if this is the case, so take appropriate action if supports have been weakened and are unsafe. You may need to evacuate the entire building until you can get a structural engineer to establish which supports may be worth saving and which need to be replaced.
Share22 February 2023
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