Termites: the hidden home-wreckers

McMillan Industries
Nov 11
2 min read

Did you know that termites work in silence, 24/7, behind walls and under floors. By the time most homeowners notice them, these tiny insects have already been feeding for months, sometimes years, chewing through framing timber, skirting boards, door jambs and even flooring. Repairs can be significant–and often aren’t covered by standard home insurance–so early detection and prevention are your best protection.

Signs you may have termites (and not know it)

Mud tubes: Pencil-thin, earth-coloured tunnels on brickwork, piers, or inside subfloors–termite highways that keep them moist and hidden.
Hollow or papery timber: Skirting or window trims that sound thin or crumble when probed.
Blistered paint or “water” bubbles: Looks like moisture damage, but the cavity beneath may be termite galleries.
Tight doors and windows: Swelling from internal damage can make them suddenly stick.
Discarded wings: Small, equal-length wings near windowsills or lights after rain–signs of a termite “swarm.”
Soft clicking or rustling: Faint sounds inside walls as soldiers tap to warn the colony.
Musty, damp smell: Persistent odour in one area with no clear leak.

How to protect your home and family

Reduce moisture: Termites love damp, so fix leaks, clear gutters, divert hot-water and A/C overflows, and keep subfloor vents unobstructed.
Maintain a visible slab edge: Keep garden beds, mulch and soil at least 10–15 cm below the weep holes. Never cover or block weep holes.
Tidy timber: Store firewood and landscaping sleepers off the ground and away from the house; remove old stumps and scrap timber.
Landscape smart: Keep plants trimmed back from walls and avoid watering directly against the foundation.
Choose resistant materials: Where practical, use termite-resistant or treated timbers and consider stainless mesh or physical barriers during renovations.
Professional monitoring & inspections: Annual inspections by a licensed technician (more frequent in high-risk areas) catch issues early. Monitoring/baiting systems provide continuous protection without blanket spraying indoors.
Don’t DIY blindly: Surface sprays can scatter foragers and drive the colony deeper. Targeted, professional treatments are safer and more effective around kids and pets.

When to call us

If you’ve spotted any signs above–or you just haven’t had an inspection in the last 12 months–book a termite check before summer heat accelerates activity. Our local team uses evidence-based, family-conscious methods to find what you can’t see and put a tailored plan in place. Peace of mind starts with knowing what’s happening behind the walls.