Termites and timber damage: the signs you cannot see from outside

What are the signs?

The first thing you notice is thin mud tubes on a wall or at the base of a column. These are sealed runways the termites build so they can travel safely, away from the light.

Another important sign: small discarded wings near the windows after the first rain of the season. That means the termites have started to swarm and spread in the area.

How to check it yourself

Tap your finger on door frames and any timber close to the floor. A hollow, empty sound means the wood has been eaten out from the inside, even if it looks sound from the outside.

How is it treated?

Treatment works in two ways:

• A chemical applied to the soil around the building's foundations to block the termites' route in
• Product injected directly into the affected areas inside the timber

For buildings under construction

If the building is still going up, preventive treatment before the floor slabs are poured is far cheaper and far easier than treating it once construction is finished.