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Termite nests: what they look like and how to prevent them

Termite nests: what they look like and how to prevent them

Adelaide is riddled with termite nests which are home to some of the most destructive termite species in Australia. With an entire colony of hungry termites to feed, these nests can cause significant and expensive damage to buildings. Find out how you can protect your home or business from a termite nest in this Hivemind article.

What questions will this article answer?

Reasons to avoid a termite outbreak

Adelaide is riddled with termite nests which are home to some of the most destructive termite species in Australia. So, it’s no surprise that around one in five houses have been affected by a termite outbreak.

With an appetite for cellulose-rich food, termites chew through wooden structures including trees and timber beams in and around your home. When you start noticing signs of damage, it’s already too late.

Not only does termite damage compromise the structural safety of your family home, it can also increase the risk of fire hazards and electrical short circuits.

To make things even more stressful, termite damage is also expensive to fix. The average repair bill for termite-related damage is around $10,000 and unfortunately isn’t covered by insurance as it is considered highly preventable.

It’s clear that termite nests can spell bad news for Adelaide homeowners. With thousands of hungry termites to feed, you’ll want to keep them away at all costs!

What is a termite nest?

With a fragile outer skin, termites must protect themselves and their colonies from the environment and predators by building and living in tightly sealed nests. Being dark, warm and high in moisture, these nests provide them the ideal conditions to survive.

Termite nests are carefully constructed from a mixture of dirt, chewed wood, clay, saliva and droppings which combine to form a tough, solid outer shell.

Inside, they usually contain various chambers which are connected by an extensive intricate network of tunnels.

Keep termite nests away from your garden. Speak to an expert today.

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Types of termite nests

Depending on the species of termite, nests can vary in location and appearance. Here are the more common ones that you might have come across:

Subterranean nests

These out of sight nests are usually hard to spot as they are tucked away several feet underground in soil and underneath rotten tree stumps.

While the actual nest itself isn’t visible from the surface, you may instead spot brown mud tubes nearby, which are protected tunnels that termites use to travel safely between their food source and nest.

Termite Mounds

Made of soil and clay mixed with termite saliva, mounds are raised dome or hill shaped dirt structures. They can be up to several feet tall (in some cases, even up to 3-4 metres!) and indicate that there is a large colony inside. Sometimes, mounds can even have unique architectural features such as chimneys or pinnacles.

Arboreal nests

Made of wood shavings and termite droppings, oval shaped arboreal nests are built on trees, as their name suggests. They can either be seen protruding off the side of a trunk or branch, or sit between branches. Their outer walls have the consistency of paper mâché.

Termite nest prevention techniques

Consider taking the following steps to actively deter termites from building a nest on your property:

Regular garden maintenance

Avoid storing piles of wood near your house, and remove rotten tree stumps and wooden sleepers. Clear away piles of leaves and litter from your gutters. Keep tree branches, plants, shrubs and bushes trimmed away from the walls of your home.

For landscaping projects, take care not to damage any existing termite protection barriers.

Remove sources of moisture

Inspect for leaking pipes and drains and fix them as soon as possible, as moisture attracts termites.

Termite inspections are the best way to prevent a termite outbreak

Without proper the training and equipment, it can be hard for the average person to know for sure if there are active termites on your property! That’s why our top tip for termite protection is getting regular termite inspections conducted by an experienced professional.

Termite Inspections

For homes at low risk of a termite attack, we recommend having a termite inspection at least once a year, following government guidelines.

For properties with a higher risk level, more frequent inspections may be necessary to ensure that any subtle signs of termite activity are detected as early as possible.

At Allstate, our technicians are trained and licensed to conduct comprehensive inspections which are compliant with Australian standards.

Our inspections cover all internal and external areas of your property, including subfloors, outbuildings and surrounds.

Your technician will perform a physical assessment for signs of termite damage, activity, nests and ingress points using advanced termite detection equipment, such as borescopes, sounding tools, moisture meters and movement detectors.

When your inspection is completed, we’ll send you all the information that you need to know in a handy inspection report.

To learn more about how termite inspections can help termite proof your home or business, speak to a friendly Allstate consultant.

Don’t delay your termite inspection. Book today.

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How are termite outbreaks treated?

Depending on the extent of the outbreak and the number of active termites, our technicians will use a combination of the following termite management methods:

Premise termiticide spray

Applied directly to areas with heavy termite traffic, Premise works within a few hours to stop termite activity. It is formulated to specifically target termites, making it safe for people, pets and the environment.

Sentricon termite stations

A proven long term termite prevention barrier, Sentricon provides continuous protection from termites as soon as it is installed. Positioned around the perimeter of your home, 30cm away from your walls, Sentricon underground baiting stations are laced with termiticide to keep termites from venturing any closer inside.

Choose Allstate for effective termite control

The last thing your home or business needs is the stress and destruction caused by termite outbreaks. At Allstate, our technicians are available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide to help with any urgent enquiries.

Established in 1986, we have a proven track record for successfully preventing and managing termites for clients in residential, commercial and business settings. Our technicians are fully equipped with modern termite-detecting equipment and innovative, proven treatments to keep your property termite-free for good.

With payment plan options and competitive warranties on all our services, you can act fast against termites today.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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How to Prevent Termite Damages in Commercial Buildings

How to Prevent Termite Damages in Commercial Buildings

A pest infestation in a busy commercial building or business premises is the last thing you need.

When the infestation is termites, it’s even worse. A termite outbreak can cause expensive damage, breach government safety regulations and put your tenants at risk.

Avoid attracting termites to your commercial facility with Allstate’s expert termite prevention advice in this Hivemind blog.

What questions will this article answer?

Why it’s important to avoid a termite infestation in your commercial building

Don’t be fooled by their small size! Termites can cause destruction to your property if left unchecked. Using their sharp teeth and strong jaws, they feed on cellulose by chewing through wood, paper and cardboard products. With an abundance of cellulose-based products and materials in many commercial buildings across Adelaide, they are a perfect place to satisfy the insatiable appetite of an emerging termite colony.

Found all across Australia, there are 30 species of termites which are thought to be responsible for significant damage to buildings, leaving behind repair bills which can cost building owners tens of thousands of dollars at a time.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to foot the entire bill for the repairs. Termite damage is not covered by insurance as it is considered highly preventable.

To make matters worse, structural problems in your building can place your business at risk by:

  • Compromising the safety of tenants, employees, clients and customers
  • Breaching workplace health and safety regulations, resulting in hefty penalities
  • Disrupting day-to-day operations
  • Increasing the chance of fire hazards and electrical problems
  • Damaging machinery, supplies, stock, furniture and equipment
  • Negatively impacting your business reputation

Don’t let termite activity hold your business back from flourishing. Allstate’s commercial termite management service can assist with safeguarding your facility any time.

Need termite protection? Speak to an expert today.

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Signs of a termite outbreak

Termite infestations can be difficult to identify in the early stages, and if you’re untrained in termite behaviour, it can be even harder to detect subtle clues in a busy commercial facility. Here’s what our licensed termite inspectors look for

Building damage

A clear indicator of extensive termite destruction, seeing changes to your walls, floors and ceilings means that the structural integrity of your building has been compromised. Look for cracks, blistering, warping and sagging.

Mud tubes

Irregular rows of hardened brown dirt stuck to a wall, wooden beams or foundations are one of the more obvious physical signs of termite activity. Known as mud tubes, these tunnels are made from a mixture of wood debris, dirt, saliva and droppings. They serve to protect termites from predators and prevent moisture loss as they journey from their nest to forage for food.

Clicking sounds

You may be able to hear a persistent clicking sound coming from your walls or ceilings as termites carve away inside wooden beams.

Interruptions to electrical supply

As electrical fittings and wiring are often installed in and around key wooden support structures, termite tunnels can accumulate organic material and cause electricity supply disruptions, increasing the risk of a fire hazard.

Hollow sounding wooden structures

As termites tunnel through wood and create a void in the middle, you will hear an empty, hollowed out sound when you tap on the wood.

How to avoid costly termite damage in commercial buildings

Although termites can be difficult to keep away, it’s possible to make your property a less inviting place for them to begin a colony. Here are our top recommendations to protect your commercial building from a termite outbreak:

Regular yard maintenance

Removing termites’ preferred food source, cellulose, will make your building and yard less inviting. If possible, remove unused piles of wood and tree stumps. Keeping trees and foliage well-trimmed so that they are not touching the building reduces access.

Reduce sources of moisture

Environments that are high in moisture provide ideal survival conditions for termites to survive. We recommend regularly inspecting drains, tanks, pipes and gutters for leaks and fix them as soon as possible. If you are located in an area with high levels of moisture, your property may also require more frequent termite inspections and a stronger prevention barrier.

Termite inspections

The best way to protect your commercial property is to have a highly trained, licensed professional perform regular, thorough termite inspections with the best equipment.

Yearly termite inspections are crucial

According to government recommendations, termite inspections should be carried out at least once a year, or more frequently if you’re in a high risk area.

At Allstate, we understand it’s important not to have any disruption in business hours, so we happily work outside your hours of operation.

Using modern equipment such as moisture readers, sounding tools, borescopes and movement detectors, our termite inspectors thoroughly assess all areas of your property inside and outside buildings, including walls, floors, ceilings, roof voids and subfloors. We take care to check the yard outside, particularly if you have wood piles, fencing, sleepers, lots of trees, or moisture.

Once your inspection is completed, your licensed termite inspector will send you a report with recommendations to safeguard your property. This report will highlight all potential risk factors to determine the most ideal inspection frequency for your business.

Don’t delay your termite inspection. Arrange a time with a licensed termite inspector today.

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Professional termite control with Allstate

If there is evidence of termite activity found during a routine inspection, our pest control technicians use the following termite treatments to stop further damage from occurring:

Premise Treated Zones

A fast-acting termiticide spray, Premise can be applied to soil in affected areas or treatment zones for an immediate effect in serious outbreaks.

Sentricon Always Active

An effective protective barrier to stop termites from entering inside, Sentricon Always Active bait stations are installed underground, around the perimeter of buildings on your property. With a targeted termiticide embedded within each station, termites will feed on the lethal bait and take it back to their colony to pass onto other termites.

Integrated pest management for commercial buildings

At Allstate, we’ve seen the devastating consequences that a pest outbreak can have on businesses. From small to medium to large commercial facilities, our Integrated Pest Management program has been proven to successfully keep customers, employees, clients and staff safe from pests in all suburbs of Adelaide.

After an initial assessment of the premises, we’ll identify all possible risks and take into account your current pest control measures to make sure that your business is completely compliant with government standards.

With the assistance of a dedicated pest control technician who understands the needs of your business, you’ll then have a tailored pest management program put in place.

But that’s not all. To make pest control even faster and easier, you’ll have 24/7 access to your personalised pest management program via our online pest control portal.

There, you’ll find all inspection reports, compliance documentation and a copy of your pest management plan in one convenient place. As an added bonus, you can report any new problems immediately and receive a fast response from your assigned pest control technician.

If you’re a busy property manager, Allstate offers modern, personalised pest control solutions for property managers to make your job easier.

For long-lasting termite management solutions, contact Allstate today.

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Choose Allstate for reliable and safe termite management

Termite outbreaks can result in serious and expensive problems for commercial properties, and it’s clear that they are best avoided in the first place.

For almost 40 years, Allstate has managed and prevented termite infestations in all suburbs of Adelaide. Available 24/7 for all urgent enquiries and advice, we offer comprehensive termite inspections performed by licensed termite inspectors, as well as effective, targeted nontoxic treatments.

No matter the size or location of your commercial building, the industry or the number of tenants and employees, we can tailor an Integrated Pest Management program for your unique circumstances and keep termites away for good.

Our expert team is ready to help you now.

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What do termite inspectors look for?

What do termite inspectors look for?

Although they are a threat all year round, termite outbreaks can be hard to detect. In fact, termites are thought to affect 1 in 5 houses in Adelaide, and cause thousands of dollars in damage that unfortunately isn’t covered by insurance. Learn how licensed termite inspectors identify the subtle signs of an outbreak in this Hivemind article.

What questions will this article answer?

Why are termite inspections important?

A notorious pest in Australia, termites are estimated to cause over $100 million in damage to homes every year, affecting 1 in 5 houses in Adelaide.

Sadly, as termite-related damage is considered to be preventable, it is not covered by home and contents insurance.

That’s why government guidelines recommend termite inspections at least once a year, and more frequently if your property is at higher risk of an outbreak.

Since the cost of a termite inspection is much lower than price of repairs, it’s worth making sure that your home stays protected.

At Allstate, our comprehensive termite inspections start at $200 per visit and are conducted by our fully licensed inspectors who will send you a report documenting all their findings.

Signs of a termite outbreak

Unless you have a severe infestation on your hands, it can be hard to tell if you have a termite problem.

At Allstate, our professional termite inspectors have experience, extensive training and the right tools to recognise the subtle hints of a termite outbreak. Here are examples of early signs of termites:

Damage to walls, floors, skirting boards, beams and ceilings

Wooden structures inside your home are vulnerable to termites, and you may notice cracks, blisters, warping and sagging. Paint might appear to have bubbling or have water-stain marks.

Damage to trees, outdoor wooden structures, sleepers and furniture

Some species of termites prefer living in tree stumps and wooden structures above the ground, hollowing out the wood inside. This means that trees and branches may topple, and sleepers may crumble, potentially causing a hazard.

Hollow sounds in timber

If you knock or tap your walls and hear an empty, hollow sound, this could be due to termites tunnelling through the insides of the timber.

Mud tubes

Subterranean termites build tunnels to protect them when they are foraging for food away from their nests, which are located underground. These tunnels are usually made of a mixture of saliva, dirt, wood and other debris and provide a safe pathway to travel.

Clicking sounds in the wall

As termites tunnel through wood, they make clicking sounds with their constantly chewing jaws and teeth. Soldier termites are known to knock their heads on wood to make clicking noises and warn other termites of impending danger.

Termite wings

Winged termites or swarmers leave the colony every few years when it is ready to expand, and start a new one elsewhere. They’ll find an old tree stump or wood pile to create a nest. After mating, they will lose their wings, and you may see these accumulating around your windows and doors.

Termite droppings

If you notice a build up of a fine, dark, powdery substance on your floors, this could be due to a termite outbreak.

Tiny holes in wooden structures

These could be entry points for termites.

Windows and doors become hard to open

Termite activity can increase the amount of heat and moisture within affected structures, such as window and doorframes, and result in expansion. This can mean that doors and windows become hard to open.

Handle termites fast. Speak to an expert today.

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Types of termites

It’s helpful to know what types of termites are responsible for a termite outbreak, as they all behave differently. This can help us come up with a targeted treatment plan that effectively preventes the termites at their source, as quickly as possible.

Subterranean termites

With a preference to nest underground as their name suggests, subterranean termites thrive in moist conditions. They are 1/8 to 1 inch long and yellow to dark brown in colour. You can also find them in trees, dead stumps, and buried wooden poles and sleepers.

Dampwood termites

Found mainly in moist areas with decaying wood, dampwood termites thrive in tree stumps, logs and buried wooden poles such as fence posts. They are usually 1/2 to 5/8 inches long, with a creamy white to brown colouring.

Flying termites

Also known as swarmers, you’ll know that there is a mature colony within 100m if you see winged termites.

What happens during a termite inspection?

No matter the size of your property, your licensed Allstate termite inspector always has the right tools and knowledge conduct a thorough assessment inside and outside. They will also assess how well your current termite protection system is working.

Termite detection equipment

To help identify early signs of a termite outbreak, our termite inspectors use the following devices:

  • Borescopes assist with taking photographic evidence of termite activity within timber structures
  • Moisture meters can pinpoint areas with a higher than normal moisture content
  • Movement detectors can locate active termites
  • Sounding tools are tapped against timber structures to check their integrity

Physical inspection

Our termite inspectors will pay close attention to the following areas of your property, which are known to be popular spots for termite activity:

  • Timber beams
  • Interior rooms, covering the walls, floors, ceilings, door and window frames, skirting boards and cupboards
  • Subfloors
  • Outdoor/yard inspection, including the perimeter of the house, garden beds, sleepers, woodpiles, trees, stumps and wooden fencing
  • Interior and exterior sections of outbuildings

Don’t delay your termite inspection. Speak to an expert today.

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Professional termite prevention

Treating a termite outbreak happens over a period of time and requires patience. At Allstate, we use modern treatments with a proven effectiveness against termites.

Sentricon Always Active bait stations

Positioned 30cm away from your house, with each station 3m apart, Sentricon bait rods are positioned underground. They are laced with a termiticide that doesn’t harm pets or other wildlife, making them both safe and environmentally friendly.

Premise liquid spray

For large areas that have a significant amount of termite activity, we recommend a residual treatment spray as a fast and effective option to remove termites.

Choose Allstate for reliable and long-lasting termite protection

A termite outbreak can be stressful and expensive to fix, so we understand how important it is to prevent it from happening in the first place. That’s why yearly inspections by licensed termite inspectors can be extremely valuable.

Established in 1986, Allstate has been carrying out comprehensive termite inspections in homes and businesses across all suburbs of Adelaide for over 35 years. Using modern technology, our team is fully equipped and highly trained to assess properties of all sizes, inside and out.

Available 24/7 for urgent callouts, our inspections are covered by competitive warranties. You can even arrange for a payment plan, so there’s no need to delay your next termite inspection. Safeguard your home from termites today.

Our expert team is ready to help you now.

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Termite nests: what they look like and how to prevent them

How To Prevent Termites In Commercial Buildings

HOW TO PREVENT TERMITES IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

 

Termites are a notorious pest to homes and businesses in Australia. They are thought to be responsible for significant damage that requires repairs averaging $10,000 per home — and it isn’t covered by insurance.

For commercial buildings, the cost can be much higher due to the impact on business reputation and operations, equipment damage and breach of health and safety standards. The good news? Termite attacks are highly preventable if you seek professional assistance.

Continue reading if you’re keen to learn how to keep your commercial property protected from termites all year round.

What questions will this article answer?

Why is it important to prevent a termite outbreak?

Termites may be small, but they can cause significant damage to buildings. In Australia, they are thought to affect one in every five houses, and cause over $100 million dollars in damage to homes each year.

Unfortunately, since termite damage is considered as preventable, property insurance does not cover the cost of repairs.

If you’re responsible for a commercial property, however, the bill could be much higher. Building damage can have a severe impact on your business and operations, as well as your reputation. On top of this, any structural problems can cause accidents, start fires, damage equipment and compromise the health and safety of tenants, staff, customers and clients. Breaching government regulations may also lead to heavy penalties.

Fortunately, termite outbreaks can be easily avoided as Allstate offers comprehensive termite prevention programs for commercial facilities of all sizes.

Get fast termite protection advice today

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Signs of a termite infestation

Termite outbreaks can often go undetected in the early stages, so they require a professional with training and the right equipment to detect subtle signs of activity. In any case, it’s handy to have an awareness of termite activity.

Mud tubes

If you notice accumulations of brown trails, these could be tunnels which consist of dirt, droppings, wood and other debris, known as mud tubes. They are built by termites to protect them while foraging.

Knocking on timber structures and getting a hollow sound

When there has been significant termite damage, you may hear a hollow, empty sound when tapping or knocking on a wooden structure.

Clicking sounds in walls

Active termites tunnelling through wood, or soldier termites warning of a threat to other termites can give rise to a persistent clicking sound.

Termite swarms and discarded wings

In spring and summer, termite alates, or winged termites, will leave the nest to start a new colony elsewhere. You may see them nesting in tree stumps and woodpiles in your yard, and flying around lights or windowsills.

Damage to floors, walls and ceilings

Look for cracks, changes to paint, blisters, warping and sagging. You may even find doors and windows are harder to open and close.

Electricity interruptions

Termites can cause electrical transmission issues by a leaving a build-up of organic material and mud tubes around electrical fittings and wiring.

You can learn more about the signs of a termite outbreak here and here.

How to prevent a termite outbreak

Here are some steps you can take to reduce the chances of a termite attack at your commercial property:

  • Trim tree branches, vegetation and foliage that are in contact with the sides of your building
  • Remove old tree stumps, as well as piles of mulch and wood
  • Be aware if your neighbours have experienced termite problems
  • Have yearly termite inspections

Termite inspections

The purpose of a regular termite inspection isn’t just to check whether your property is under a termite attack. It’s also to assess for potential risk factors, and to make sure that your existing termite barrier system is still in good working order.

Depending on the level of risk, we recommend having a termite inspection of your commercial property at least once a year, in accordance with government guidelines.

If you’re in a higher risk area for termite attacks, for example, your property is surrounded by trees or has greater levels of moisture, this means that you may need more frequent inspections.

During a termite inspection, your licensed Allstate termite inspector will cover all areas of your property, inside and outside. This includes fence and yard, especially if there are tree stumps or timbers. We’ll cover all interior areas, from the floor to ceiling, including the roof void and subfloors.

You can expect us to use equipment such as borescopes, sounding tools, moisture readers and movement detectors.

Read more about termite inspections here and here.

Don’t delay your termite inspection, speak to an expert today

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Professional termite treatment

As commercial properties vary in size, layout, surroundings and the number of tenants, our termite control technicians will come up with a personalised treatment plan to manage the outbreak.

Premise Treated Zones
Applied to the soil in specific treated zones, Premise termiticide is a powerful liquid treatment designed to kill termites. As it cannot be detected by termites, it is widely used in popular foraging areas.

Sentricon® Always Active™
Protection around the perimeter of your property is one of the best ways to restrict termite activity within the building. We position each Sentricon bait station at 30-50cm away from the building, with at least one station every three metres to maximise its effect. Each station is installed underground and contains a termiticide chemical that can be carried back to the nest by termites who have fed on it, leading to the prevention of the entire population.

Learn more about professional termite prevention here.

Choose Allstate for effective termite prevention in commercial buildings

Managing a commercial building is no easy task, and having a termite outbreak is not something you want on your hands. Fortunately, our licensed termite inspectors are ready to help you to safeguard your business.

Available 24/7 to all suburbs of Adelaide, our team is fully equipped to assist with termite prevention and management  in commercial facilities of all sizes. All our inspections are conducted in compliance with Australian standards.

Established in 1986, Allstate has grown to become the largest independent pest control company in Adelaide. We use targeted, innovative treatments that are non-toxic towards pets, children and the environment.

With a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our services, competitive warranties and payment plans available, you can trust Allstate for long-lasting defence from termites.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

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Are Termites Active in Autumn

Are Termites Active in Autumn

ARE TERMITES ACTIVE IN AUTUMN?

 

Just because the weather is getting cooler, it doesn’t mean that active termites will just disappear. Like many other creepy crawlies, you’ll find that they thrive better in warmer conditions, but are still able to survive well in the cold. No matter the temperature, once termites have managed to make their way inside your home, they won’t stop causing thousands of dollars of damage that insurance won’t cover.

If you’re concerned about a potential termite outbreak, read on to learn more about termite behaviour in autumn and signs of an infestation

What questions will this article answer?

When are termites most active?

In many parts of the world, including Adelaide, termites are active all year round, no matter the season. The queen termite will continue laying eggs to help maintain the colony. While the ideal temperature for termite survival is 23-38 degrees Celsius, they also prefer areas with moisture.

Although it seems that termites prefer a warm, humid climate, and the weather can certainly affect the formation of new colonies, make no mistake – they can still be laying low nearby when the mercury drops.

Many species of termites have evolved to survive in winter, and others actively look for warm places to shelter, such as your home.

Once they’ve entered your foundations, walls and other cellulose-rich wooden structures, they will silently eat away at the wood, resulting in significant damage. At this point, no weather conditions will deter termites away from a feast of their favourite food.

Termite activity through the seasons

It’s more common to see termites swarming and flying in summer, but this is just a visible sign that there are termites are nearby. In other seasons, there can still be many more hidden away underground and sheltering inside homes and businesses silently causing destruction.

Here’s the pattern of behaviour that you should expect from termites throughout the year:

Spring

Spring time is when termites begin to pair off to mate, with each couple swarming or flying away or from the colony to start their own. The female termite will lay eggs inside a rotten tree stump or decaying wood.

Summer

As swarming continues, there also are many termites out and about foraging for food. While many worker termites die during this time, the secondary queen will lay more eggs to keep the colony populated. Damp wood termites are most commonly active during summer.

Winter

In winter, most termites will avoid the harsh elements and become less active in foraging for food. The queen termite will also lay less eggs during this time.

To escape the cold weather, many species of subterranean termites will dig deeper underground to seek warmth. Others will look for protection within your home.

Worried about termites?
Our friendly team is ready to help you now.

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Termite activity in autumn

There are some dry wood termites, in particular subterranean termites, that prefer cooler weather. In fact, there is one species that is known to have active swarmers during the autumn months.

What are the signs of active termites?

Here are some ways to tell if you have termite activity in your home or business:

  • Look for changes to walls, floors and ceilings, such as cracks, changes to the paint, sagging and blistering.
  • Door frames may become warped and doors may be harder to open or close
  • You notice mud tubes which are small brown coloured, elongated tunnels with an outer wall made from dirt, wood, debris and droppings
  • You hear a hollow sound when tapping on termite-infested timber structures
  • You see piles of swarmer or flying termite wings
  • You experience frequent electricity interruptions due to termite activity interfering with wiring

Termite activity can be difficult to see until it’s too late without extra equipment and special training. For early detection, a professional termite inspection is the way to go.

 

Don’t wait ‘til it’s too late.
Book your termite inspection today.

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Professional termite control

Due to the high risk of structural damage to your home or business, we recommend seeking professional assistance to prevente termites as fast as possible.

At Allstate, we’ll carry out a thorough inspection of your property before coming up with a treatment plan.

We normally use above ground and underground baiting systems to remove termites, depending the affected areas of your home.

For targeted treatments inside your home, we’ll normally use Premise, which is a non-repellent termiticide, placed in treatment zones. This product is safe for children, pets and the environment.

Our go-to underground baiting system is Sentricon Always Active, which is placed around the perimeter of your home, and in areas with high amounts of termite foraging.

Learn more about how we detect and treat termite outbreaks

Choose Allstate for effective termite control this autumn

As termites don’t stop being a pest in autumn, your home or business could still be at high risk of an outbreak. Fortunately, Allstate is here to help.

Family owned and local, with over 30 years’ experience in pest control and management, Allstate has provided services to homes and businesses in all types of settings across Adelaide.

Our team is licensed, highly experienced and fully equipped to detect and treat termite outbreaks early.

We understand that termite outbreaks can be stressful and disruptive, and that’s why we are available 24/7 for advice about any pest issue or concern that you may have.

All our treatments come with a 100% money-back, satisfaction warranty and are non-toxic towards children, pets and the environment. With interest-free pay plans available, you won’t need to delay any urgent termite inspection or treatment any futher.

Get long-lasting protection from termites with Allstate

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9 signs of termites you need to know about

9 signs of termites you need to know about

What questions will this article answer?

For many people who have experienced a termite outbreak, any obvious indication of a problem simply came far too late. Unfortunately, it’s all too common to find termites have already caused significant and costly damage to homes and businesses before being detected. With one in five Adelaide homes thought to have experienced termite attacks , it’s useful to know what to look out for in case your home is at risk.

If you’re concerned about having termites, here’s our top 9 tips on potential termite problems to look out for around your home.

Sign 1. Hard to open doors and windows

If you’re noticing that your windows and doors have become tight-fitting and difficult to open, this could be the work of termites.

When you have an outbreak, the amount of termite activity increases inside window frames, doors and door frames. This leads to more heat and moisture being produced. While warmth and humidity are ideal conditions for termite survival, this can eventually cause major problems in your home or business.

Depending on where the moisture accumulates, you may find parts of your doors and windows absorb the moisture more than others, causing them to swell in certain areas.

Sometimes, termites may leave behind dried mud inside door and window joints which creates more friction when you’re trying to open the doors and windows.

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Sign 2. Clicking in your walls

Though they are generally quiet, a heavy termite infestation can result in constant clicking sounds coming from your walls as they chew nonstop through the wood.

In some cases, the clicking is deliberately caused by soldier termites knocking their heads and tapping their mandibles against wood to warn the colony of imminent danger.

You may notice your pets are more sensitive to subtle sounds within the walls, so pay attention to any changes to their behaviour.

Sign 3. Termite wings

During spring and summer, every 3 to 5 years, you will find that winged termites or swarmers pair off and fly away to expand the termite colony. They’ll start a new colony elsewhere and usually choose to nest in woodpiles and tree stumps in your yard, so we recommend removing these if possible.

Once they have mated, swarmers lose their wings. So if you notice piles of scattered wings or flying insects particularly around windows, windowsills and doors, you may have a termite outbreak on your hands. 

Not to be confused with flying ants which are smaller and darker coloured, you’ll tend to see flying termites swarming more often at night.

Sign 4. Hollow sounding timber

If you knock your walls and hear a hollow, echoing sound, this may indicate that termites have tunnelled through the insulation to eat away the wood.

A classic sign of serious termite destruction, continuous tunnelling within the walls and timber structures of your home can result in a hollow, echoing sound when you knock on it. Pay particular attention to skirting boards as these make the most obvious hollow sounds during a severe infestation.

If you’re noticing any hollow sounds when knocking on the walls of your home, we recommend contacting Allstate to arrange an urgent termite inspection.

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Sign 5. Mud tubes (Subterranean termites)

Termites build tunnels encased with a sturdy mixture of dirt, wood, debris, saliva and droppings to protect them when they forage for food away from their underground nests.

We recommend keeping the perimeter of your house clear of moist soil and dirt to discourage mud tube formation.

When subterranean termites leave their nest underground to forage for food, they will build mud tubes to travel safely between their food source and nest. These tubes also assist with retaining moisture and warmth, which are ideal survival conditions for termites.

While they can be seen inside and outside your home in different formations, mud tubes are commonly noticed around entry points and the house foundation.

Sign 6. Sawdust-like droppings (Drywood termites)

If you’re noticing a regular accumulation of a fine, dark powdery substance on your floors, it could well be a sign of a termite problem, particularly drywood termites.

Also known as frass, termites often create small openings in wood to push out their waste as they continue tunnelling through.

Frass can appear in cone shaped piles or circular patterns on the surface of termite-affected wooden structures.

Sign 7. Tiny holes in wood

With a diameter that is less than 1/8 inches, termite holes are generally left behind by drywood termites and can be hard to spot.

A sign of a serious outbreak, termite holes are an entry and exit point for termites tunnelling through wood, walls and mud. Once created, they are usually quickly sealed off by the remains of undigested wood and droppings. 

Usually formed just before mating season, these holes are an important way for termite swarmers to exit the colony to reproduce and start a new colony elsewhere.

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Sign 8. Unexplainable damage to the floor, walls or ceiling

Termites feed off the cellulose fibres within wood, making tunnels through the insides while leaving the outer shell intact for protection.

They are particularly drawn to timber that holds moisture – for example, damp timber from water damage or underneath floors.

Over time, this causes the wood to crumble away slowly from the inside and lose its structural integrity. You may find that this causes the following problems around your home:

  • Cracks and splinters in your walls and skirting boards
  • A bubbling, or honeycomb-like texture in the paint or water-stained appearance
  • Cracking, blistering, sagging and warping of laminated floors, ceiling beams and skirting boards

Sign 9. Damage to trees and outdoor wooden structures

Several termite species can be found living in nests above the ground in and around trees and tree stumps as well as landscaping sleepers.

Even if there are no visible signs of damage on the outside of a tree, the insides could be slowly getting destroyed. Over time, the tree will become increasingly rotten.

Once the tree has been damaged significantly, you may find the branches weaken and fall off, causing damage to your home and endangering people.

If you notice mud tubes appearing on tree bark, you can check how fragile your tree has become.

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How to check for termites before it’s too late

At Allstate, we understand the importance of detecting and treating a termite outbreak as soon as possible. 

As the early signs of termites can be hard to spot, the best way to know for sure if they’re a cause for concern is to have a termite inspection. You can learn more about Allstate’s professional termite inspections here .

Depending on your level of risk, government guidelines recommend a termite inspection for every home at least once a year.

Fortunately, our highly trained termite inspection team is fully equipped with all the latest technology to conduct comprehensive termite assessments in compliance with Australian standards. We have specialised equipment to detect even the most subtle signs of an outbreak.

Since 1986, we have carried out and treated termite outbreaks in residential, commercial and industrial settings all around Adelaide. All our termite services are covered by extensive warranties and backed by insurance, so there’s no reason to delay an inspection. It could potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs that aren’t covered by insurance, as well as stress and disruption.

Contact Allstate today to speak to our friendly team about staying ahead of termites .

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