Signs of Termites

Soft or hollow timber

This is the most common way homeowners first discover evidence of live termites inside their home. Many door and window frames, as well as skirting boards, are made from soft pine timber. These timbers are often targeted first because they are highly attractive to termites. In one sense, this can be beneficial, as termite activity can become noticeable sooner rather than later.

Termites consume timber from the inside out, eating right up to the paint surface while leaving a very thin outer layer intact between them and the outside environment.

How can you tell? Gently tap your fingers along areas where you suspect termite activity. If the timber sounds hollow or feels soft, you may notice it give way easily. If you do open the surface and see anything that could be termites, immediately seal the area with tape to limit disturbance and contact a professional for advice.

Termite mudding

Termites prefer to live and travel in dark, warm, and protected environments. When exposed to sunlight or open air, they can quickly dehydrate and die within hours. If left exposed, the defenceless worker termites also become easy prey for black ants and other predators.

To move safely from the ground into a building, worker termites construct protective tubes – often called mud leads. These are formed by combining soil with their saliva to create a paste, which then dries and hardens to a plaster-like finish. These mud trails allow termites to travel unnoticed while staying protected from the environment and predators.

Bubbling or blistering paint

Bubbling or blistering paint can be an early warning sign of termite activity and is often mistaken for moisture damage. As termites eat timber just beneath the painted surface, they disrupt the structure from the inside, causing paint to lift, ripple, or bubble.

While it may look minor, this type of paint damage can indicate concealed termite activity and should always be checked by an experienced termite inspector.

Termite damage or fungal decay?

Homeowners can easily mistake the signs of fungal decay (often referred to as wet rot) for termite activity. Both can look very similar and feel soft to the touch. While the causes are very different, the visible symptoms can be almost identical without experience.

Correct identification is important, as the treatment and risks involved are not the same, which is why professional assessment is recommended.

Fungal decay is usually linked to ongoing moisture issues, whereas termite damage is caused by active insects feeding within the timber. Misdiagnosis can delay the correct solution and allow further damage to occur unseen.