Termites can be a serious threat when it comes to home damage. While they mostly target the wood in our homes, they can also cause damage to insulation, books and other items in the home, since aside from wood, they can also eat paper, drywall, and even plastic. In extreme cases, termites can cause a lot of structural and aesthetic damage, and can even bring down an entire house. That's why the first step in dealing with this problem is to learn how to spot termite infestations and find the right baiting or chemical termite treatments that will take care of your problem.

Let's take a look at some of the most common signs to look out for when it comes to termite colonies and termite damage so you can determine if you require termite protection and termite management without calling pest control services right away.

1. Damaged or hollowed wood

If you're dealing with a termite infestation, the first signs you might spot would be wood damage below or behind wooden surfaces, such as floors and walls. As thermites feed on the wood, over time they cause structural damage that can even be seen with a naked eye. Once they hallow out or damage the wood, you will need to act fast to prevent further damage to your home's structure and integrity.

2. Blisters in wood flooring

Noticing blisters on the surface of your wooden floor is yet another sign of active termites that are causing damage to your home. Blisters caused by termites are easy to spot and may appear similar to water damage at first glance.

3. Wood dust

The biggest telltale signs of a termite infestation are the mysterious piles of pellets and wood dust that appear to be sawdust at first glance but are actually termite droppings. If you notice droppings resembling sawdust or coffee grounds, you may be dealing with drywood termites.

4. Wings

Termites can fly their way into your home, and once they settle on a certain spot their wings will fall off. If you see a lot of wings on your window sills or any other entry point to your home, but no actual insects, this might mean that they are already hard at work on your home's wooden structures.

5. Mud tubes

Other common signs of subterranean termites include mud tubes that can be found in areas where your home meets the ground. They can be the size of a pencil and are a result of the tunnels termites dig underneath the surface of your home, or underneath trees or sheds, so they can maintain a certain temperature and humidity level required for them to thrive.

To help you determine the best treatment option, you will need to conduct a thorough inspection of your home, looking for termite entry points, and signs of termite action so you can treat the issue accordingly and on time. Before we discuss the best treatment plans for termite infestations, let's take a look at some of the best ways of preventing and managing the risks of termite attacks.

Other signs you can look for include:

• termite bodies

• swarms of termites

• clicking sounds coming from your walls, and

• uneven or bubbling paint

No matter if you're dealing with a termite infestation or not, there are a few proven ways in which you can reduce the risk of termites, and we're not talking about bait stations and other termite baiting systems or repellents. We're simply talking about termite prevention and simple pest management methods that reduce the risk of termite infestations.  

Such methods include:

• Fixing any leaks or moisture problems, such as inadequate ventilation, leaking pipes, and similar plumbing issues.

• Clear any shrubbery that's near or covering weep holes.

• Don't store wood near entry points to your home since you can easily bring in termites that way.

• If you're building a new home, talk to your contractor about certain methods and materials that can be used to reduce the risk of termite infestations.

• Get regular termite monitoring and treatment, following your pest control professional's inspection report and recommendations.

• Use DIY termite barriers and repellents which are safe for your family and pets, but also effective in keeping termites away. Such products include boric acid, vinegar, nematodes, orange essential oil and so on.

Now that we've covered the basics when it comes to termite protection and prevention, as well as proper and timely identification, we can go over to some of the main ways you can use to treat a termite infestation.

Let's take a look at some of the best termite treatment methods so you can protect your home's structure and prevent further damage from occurring.

If you suspect that you might have a termite problem or you haven't had a termite inspection in a long time, our pest control services have got you covered.

Our pest management and control programs include a thorough inspection of your property as well as developing a plan of action that will help our pest control specialists take care of your termite problem for good.

Here are the main termite treatment options used today:

1. Baiting systems

Baiting is an effective way of destroying entire colonies of termites, by strategically placing bait stations around the parameter of the home, which will take care of any present or future infestations. Provided that you check on the bait stations and the treated zones frequently you will be able to keep your termite problems under control.

2. Soil treatment

Soil treatments are used to keep subterranean termites away from your home, as well as destroy any current colonies that might be living inside. The way this treatment works is that our pest control specialists will dig a trench around your home's foundation, apply termiticide and cover the trench with dirt. The termiticide or chemical barrier will not only kill the termites present in your home, once they come to nest in the ground, but it will also help prevent future infestations.

3. Wood treatment

Wood treatments come in a variety of forms. Some wood treatments can be conducted during the construction of a home. This surface application can help protect your home from potential infestations and keep your wooden structures safe. Other types of treatments include Borate treated wood, surface sprays, injected sprays and foams, and more. These can be used both as a preventative method and as a way to take care of current infestations.

To make sure the whole process goes smoothly and efficiently, there are a few things that you as a homeowner can do to help prepare your home for a termite inspection or termite treatment.

Here's what you can do to move things along and make the whole process run smoothly.

1. Move furniture and rearrange items that are in the way

To prepare your home for an inspection or a termite treatment you will need to move your furniture and other items that are near the walls. That way the technicians can have at least a meter of space between the walls and your furniture so they can work properly. Additionally, you will need to empty out all items from underneath your kitchen and bathroom sink, since an important step of the inspection is checking for termite activity near your water sources. 

2. Clear entrance points

If the entrance points to your attic or crawl space are blocked, you will need to move any items that are blocking them and clear the way for your pest control specialist to enter and conduct a proper termite inspection.

3. Trim shrubbery and overgrown grass

Take care of your landscape, making sure that no plants or shrubs are covering the foundation of your home or the exterior walls.

If you take the time to go through all these steps before your scheduled inspection or treatment you can save your pest control specialist a lot of time, saving yourself money in the process.

There are several factors that influence the cost of termite treatments which is why the average price can range from $150 up to $5,500. While the main factors that determine the price of a termite treatment are mainly the size of your home, the extent of the problem and the treatment method used, location can also play a role in the cost. That's mainly because some areas tend to be more prone to termite infestations, and therefore typically require a more aggressive approach. That's why a termite treatment may cost  $200 – $4,000 in Sydney, whereas in certain areas which are considered as hot spots, you may expect to pay up to $5,500.

As we already mentioned above, there are a few key factors that can impact the price of termite pest control services. The main ones include:

1. Size of home

The larger your home or property is, the more time and effort will be required to get all areas inspected and treated properly, which will end up costing you more.

2. The severity of the problem

The cost of the services also depends on the extent of your termite problem, and the amount of time and effort it takes your technician to treat all affected areas. Termites love warm, humid areas and climates, so if you happen to live in such an area, you may be more susceptible to termite infestations.

3. Type of treatment

In order for you to get an effective termite treatment for your property, you will need to select the appropriate method that works best in your situation. Your pest control specialist will be able to help you choose the right treatment that fits your needs and is within your budget. In some cases, termite sprays and repellents can get the job done for a very low price. However, as soon as their effects wear off, your problem will likely return as well. That's why some situations require a more hands-on and complex approach, such as setting up baiting systems or termite barriers, which require a lot more work.

4. Location

While your location is not among the top main factors that determine the price of the treatment, it can sometimes play a role in it as well. As we mentioned before, if you live in an area that's considered as some sort of a hot spot for termites, you may have a more extensive problem that requires a lot more effort and time, causing the final price of the services to go up.