Termites

White ants or termites 

 A white ant is a commonly used name for a termite as the average termite a homeowner will come across is very close to a white colour

Signs and symptoms of termites 

Often if you can see obvious signs of termite damage in your home, it is too late. Some signs of termite activity may include:

• Hollow wood or timber in your home
• Bubbling Paint
• Termite noises and wood excavation
• Termite shelter tubes or mud tunnels under your house
• Cut out holes in trees

What typically attracts termites to your home?

Termites naturally prefer dark and damp habitats such as soils with decaying firewood. Termites are attracted to moisture and there is usually plenty of moisture in the soil upon which your foundations sit. Some examples may include:

Garden beds against your home

• Timber sleepers in your garden beds
• Leaking taps
• Leaking Hot Water Systems
• Leaking down pipes

What can you do to remove the risk of white ants or termites?

• Regular termite inspection
• Remove any old or decaying firewood 
• Remove old timber furniture that may be laying around
• Check for blow holes in trees or decaying dead branches on trees
• Check for mud tunnels or tubes around the home
• Repair leaking taps, downpipes, gutters, drains, hot water systems and ensure overflows are away from the house
• Don’t store timber or firewood against your house
• Remove garden beds directly up against your house.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: 

Termites can do extensive damage to almost all houses, including non-structural damage to steel frame homes.

Insurance companies under most policies DO NOT cover termite damage