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Termites | Facts | Termite Identification | Prevention

Termites are considered harmful pests because they feed on cellulose-based materials, such as wood, paper, and books, which can cause significant damage to buildings and other structures. They can also harm crops, furniture, and other wooden items. In addition, their activities are often concealed, making it easier to detect infestations once significant damage has occurred. This results in need for costly repairs and treatments to control termite populations.

In most cases, the intervention of professional pest control companies is required to remove termites entirely from your property. At Tom’s Pest Control Sydney, we have the expertise, equipment, and chemicals necessary to control and eliminate termite infestations effectively. In addition, since we have been in this business for years, we have access to various advanced pest control methods, including chemicals and bait systems, which can effectively eliminate termites.

Types of Termites

Some of the common types of termites entering homes are:

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites are a type of termite that feed on moist or decaying wood. Unlike other species of termites, dampwood termites do not require contact with the soil and do not build underground nests. Instead, they nest in damp or decaying wood found above ground, such as fallen trees or moist portions of wooden structures. They are usually larger and have a darker appearance than other termites.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites are a type of termite that feed on dry, sound wood and do not require contact with the soil. They can infest any type of wood in a structure, including flooring, framing, furniture, and even decorative wooden items. They create small, rectangular-shaped holes in wood surfaces to push faecal pellets, which can be an indication of their presence. Drywood termites are often found in warmer climates and can damage wooden structures to a great extent if left untreated.

Subterranean Termites

These termites are a type of termite that live and feed primarily below ground, in soil or moist conditions. They build large underground nests from which they tunnel into structures to feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials. These termites are considered the most destructive of all termite species, as they can cause extensive damage to wooden structures and other building materials. They are widely distributed and can be found in almost every region. Subterranean termites are highly social insects and live in large, complex colonies containing hundreds of thousands of individuals. They require contact with moisture in the soil and use mud tubes to travel from the soil to their food sources.

Signs of Termite Infestation

Several signs can indicate a termite infestation in your home:

Swarming termites: During certain times of the year, termites may swarm, meaning that reproductive termites will leave their nests to start new colonies. This is often the first visible sign of a termite infestation.
Mud tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel between their nest and food source. These tubes are usually about the width of a pencil and can be found on exterior walls, foundations, or flooring.
Damaged or hollow-sounding wood: Termites can cause significant damage to wooden structures, leaving them weakened and prone to collapse. If you tap on a wooden surface that sounds hollow, it may signify termite damage.
Discarded wings: During the swarming process, termites shed their wings, often found near windowsills or door frames.
Termite droppings: Drywood termites excrete small, rectangular-shaped pellets that can accumulate near their nests or on windowsills and ledges.

If you suspect a termite infestation, it is recommended to have a professional pest control company inspect your premises to confirm the presence of termites and determine the best course of treatment.

Eliminate Termites With Tom's Pest Control

Termite inspection and control refers to evaluating the presence of termites in a building or structure and taking steps to eliminate them. Tom’s Pest Control offers affordable termite inspection and termite control services to give you a termite-free home or office. When you hire us for the task, we carry out the following steps to offer the best results possible:

Inspection: Our professional will inspect the building thoroughly, including the foundation, walls, flooring, and any wooden elements, to look for signs of termites and determine the extent of the infestation.
Identification: We will identify the species of termites present in the building and the location of their nests and feeding sites.
Assessment: We will assess the damage caused by the termites and estimate the repair cost.
Treatment plan: Based on the inspection findings, we suggest a customised treatment plan to get you the best possible results.

Book Your Termite Inspection Today

Are termites eating away the wooden structures in your home? If yes, speak to our pest control experts today.