How To Identify White Ants and Prevent Termite Infestations in Your Home.

White ants in Australia are a problem and have been so for decades. In fact, they have emerged to be one of the biggest concerns for home buyers and investors during the inspection stage.

Also known by their scientific term ‘termites’, the dreaded problem of white ants in Australia is one of nature’s most unforgiving regarding property damage. Damp, warm areas near termites’ preferred food source, wood, are the ideal place for white ants to want to set up their nests and thrive.

Given that queen white ants in Australia can lay around 800 to 1000 eggs per day, termite colonies inside houses can mature into populations of approximately 200,000. Also, the voracious wood-eating habits of these creatures can cause significant structural damage over time to homes and buildings.

Signs of white ants in the house

White ants build and live in nests throughout their chosen environment. The following are a few signs that white ants have built a nest in your home:

1. Mud tubing ‘mudding’

White ants aim to keep their internal nest cavities as humid, dark, and protected as possible. They create tunnels from a substance resembling mud to keep themselves concealed. You may see visible evidence of these mud-like tubes attached to brick foundations, trees near your home or other wooden structures.

2. Hollow sounding wood

White ants will eat wooden structures from the inside, destroying their sturdiness. If you knock on your walls and hear a hollow sound, this can be a clear sign of white ant damage. Professional termite inspectors will use the wood-tapping technique as standard practice for conducting termite inspections.

3. Clicking sounds

Two types of sounds may create termite-clicking noises within your walls. The more subtle soft clicking sound is usually the noise of termites moving and chewing on wood within the walls. Tapping or louder clicking sounds are produced when termites bang their heads against the walls to indicate feeling threatened. Call pest control experts if you suspect any clicking sounds within your walls or floors.

4. Easily damaged plaster skirting and architraves

White ant activity within the walls and cavities of a home deteriorates wooden structures from the inside out. As a result of the decay of the wood fibres and cellulose, you will see cracks or notice that certain areas like skirting boards, plaster walls and architraves are easily damaged, broken or cracked with minimal impact. This is a clear sign of termites in Australia.

5. Sagging or uneven walls, floors, doors and ceilings

Similar to the above point about easily damaged walls and skirtings caused by termite damage, visible signs such as sagging in walls, floors, doors and ceilings can indicate that white ants have caused significant damage to the structural integrity of a home. It makes sense that if beams, structural posts, wooden bearings and internal framing are compromised by being eaten by termites, you will notice evidence within rooms. It is best to call professional termite inspectors if you see this sign.

From suspecting termites to identifying termites

If you own a home in Australia and suspect you may have termites, leave it to the professionals to identify the issue for 100% clarity.

Termite Treatment in Victoria

The most important thing to do if you suspect termites in your Victoria home is to call in expert termite controllers. The world of white ants is highly complex. Upsetting a colony by choosing DIY termite treatment can exacerbate a problem and potentially lead to worse outcomes. Professional white ant pest controllers can identify where the nests are and create a termite management plan to control the current situation and ensure it doesn’t escalate.

Termite treatments in Melbourne and greater Victoria are often customised to suit the case. During a professional white ant treatment plan, you must also consider a building’s size, orientation, age, and location.

Termite Prevention in Victoria

The problem of white ants in Australian houses has led to termite inspections being a standard protocol during property sales and building inspections. This is a great way to start on the right foot when acquiring a property. However, ensuring that you keep your house and asset protected against termites is the best thing you can do.

Preventative termite control for new homes in Victoria is the number one investment. Also, the cost of these is minimal when you consider the potential bills for termite infestations.

It is never too late to start preventative termite control for existing homes. In fact, older homes in Melbourne and wider Victoria with leaky plumbing and well-established grounds are often the most common environments for termites to set themselves up after moving from their previous location.

Your Next Best Step

Whether you are concerned about recent signs of termite presence in your home or are keen to protect your property from future white ant problems, get in touch with the leading Victorian pest controllers at VIP Pest Control.

Our team of experienced termite controllers operate all over Victoria, from Bendigo to Kyneton, Melbourne, Sunbury, Berwick, and beyond. We will provide the most affordable advice, white ant solutions, and ongoing peace of mind to suit your specific needs.

Request a quote today or contact the white ant specialists for a no-obligation discussion.

White Ants FAQs

What are white ants in Australia, and why are they a concern for homeowners and investors?

Termites, commonly known as white ants, are a destructive pest that can seriously harm the structural integrity of Australian homes and structures. In the inspection phase, their voracious appetites for wood and capacity to develop into populations of up to 200,000 pose a serious threat to homes and investors.

What are some signs that white ants have built a nest in your home?

White ants create and occupy nests all throughout their preferred surroundings. Mudding or mud tubing, hollow-sounding wood, clicking noises, easily damaged plaster skirting and architraves, and sagging or uneven walls, floors, doors, and ceilings are all indications that you may have a white ant infestation in your home.

Can I identify and treat termite infestations on my own?

Self-diagnosis or self-treatment of termite infestations is not advised. White ants live in a very complicated world, and DIY termite treatment may produce unfavourable results. For complete clarity, it is better to leave the identification and treatment of the problem to qualified termite controllers.

How can I prevent termite infestations in my Victoria home?

It is never too late to begin preventative steps for existing homes in Victoria, but termite prevention for new homes is the best investment. The best thing you can do to prevent termites is to maintain continuing protection. Termite inspections are a common procedure during property transactions and building inspections. According to your unique demands, qualified termite controllers can offer preventative termite control techniques.

Who can I contact for help with white ant problems in Victoria?

From Bendigo to Kyneton, Melbourne, Sunbury, Berwick, and beyond, VIP Pest Control provides professional termite control and preventive services throughout the entire state of Victoria. For a no-obligation conversation or to get a price quote for their services, get in touch with their team of skilled termite controllers.