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Why my Home

Termites find South African homes particularly appetising, but why is that? There are a number of things that can make your home attractive to a hungry colony of termites. Our termite experts bring you termite prevention tips and identification methods to help you understand the dangers and prevent termites from settling in your home.

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House

Foundation cracks

Why here?

Moisture in these cosy spots will attract termites and provide access to your home and all the food sources it provides.

What damage could they do?

Termites can gain access through cracks and once inside the structure of your home can consume sources of cellulose, like the timber structure, floor boards, architraves and furniture.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Repair foundation cracks as soon as they are found
  • If you are building an extension, lay a termite barrier beneath the concrete slab in order to prevent termites from travelling through foundation cracks. (This may already be a mandatory requirement for new constructions in your area. Check with your local council.)

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Leaking downpipes

Why here?

Termites are attracted to moisture. Leaking downpipes draw termites towards your home by providing a source of moisture.

What damage could they do?

Moist areas make your home more attractive to termites and provide the ideal environment to live. Once termites are in your home they can consume any source of cellulose, like the timber structure, floor boards, architraves and furniture.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Make sure all downpipes are repaired as soon as possible.
  • Downpipes should be connected to storm water pipes to move water away from the structure of the home.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Debris around home

Why here?

Debris such as overgrown plants, stored goods, trash or mulch near or against your home are a food source for termites, can become moist (which termites love) and can conceal signs of termites entering your home.

What damage could they do?

By providing an ideal environment for termites to feed, live and travel, debris near or against your home is a danger for introducing termites to your home. Once inside, termites could gain access to the inside of your home's structure without any obvious access path or signs of their presence and can cause serious damage before you are able to identify and eradicate them.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Keep debris away from your home's exterior walls, foundations, decks and stairs
  • A good test is to walk around the exterior of your home and ensure you are able to see the entire perimeter where it touches the ground

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Wood stacked against the house

Why here?

Stacked wood is a great source of food for termites and, like debris, can provide a source of moisture (which termites love) and conceal signs of termites accessing your home.

What damage could they do?

Placing this obvious termite food source close to your home creates an appetising, moist and concealed access point into the rest of your home. Once inside they can cause serious damage to your home's structure, fittings and your furniture.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Ensure you stack your wood well away from your home.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Hot water supply overflow

Why here?

Termites are attracted to moisture; it provides an ideal environment for living and reproducing. If your hot water systems overflow doesn't have a drain or the drain is blocked, termites may be attracted to the moisture it provides and, subsequently, the food sources your home provides.

What damage could they do?

Allowing an attractant such as moisture to develop near your home provides a beacon to termites looking for a new environment to live. Once in your home termites will seek out appealing environments that have abundance of food, such as your home's timber structure, floor boards, architraves, skirting boards, furniture and even books.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Ensure the overflow deposits moisture into a drain so it does not collect near your home's foundations.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Aircon moisture release

Why here?

Like your Hot Water System, the moisture release of your air conditioner provides a moist environment that is very attractive to termites.

What damage could they do?

Allowing an attractant such as moisture to develop near your home provides a beacon to termites looking for a new environment to live and reproduce. Once in your home termites will seek out appealing environments that have abundance of food, such as your home's timber structure, floor boards, architraves, skirting boards, furniture and even books.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Ensure that your air conditioners moisture release is away from the foundations of your home and does not allow water to run back towards your home.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Broken tiles on the roof

Why here?

Broken roof tiles are another area that provides a source of moisture to your home, which makes it more appealing to termites looking for an environment to colonise.

What damage could they do?

Allowing an attractant such as moisture to develop near your home provides a beacon to termites looking for a new environment to live and reproduce. Once in your home termites will seek out appealing environments that have abundance of food, such as your home's timber structure, floor boards, architraves, skirting boards, furniture and even books.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Always fix broken roof tiles
  • Check for dampness in the roof void and dehumidify if you find a problem

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Garden

Ground slopes towards foundation

Why here?

Termites are attracted to moisture within the soil.

What damage could they do?

Moisture which has collected around your home's foundations due to a slope can cause cracks. From here, termites may find access points into your home via the foundations.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Improve drainage around your home to remove water from its perimeter
  • Always fix any cracks or leaks
  • Have a regular termite inspection.

Timber structure in contact with soil

Why here?

Termites search for food sources via underground tunnels. If they find timber, such as the timber footings of your home, they've found themselves a potential meal.

What damage could they do?

Your home's timber structure is an interconnected set of timbers. Once termites have started feeding on the first timber, they have no reason to stop and they could gain access to the rest of your home.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Use termite-resistant, or termite-treated, timbers when they are in contact with the ground (check with your local council on the requirements of your area)
  • Use metal "shoes" that elevate the timber from the ground.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Fence posts in contact with soil

Why here?

Termites will search for food sources from underground and untreated fence posts in contact with the soil are a perfect meal for termites.

What damage could they do?

Termites will feed on the timber in your fence and can cause it to collapse. Your fence also provides a stepping stone to your home. Once termites have infested your fence they will seek out other food sources close by, which may include your home.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Always use termite-resistant or termite-treated timber or metal posts
  • Regular termite inspections will identify any trouble spots or evidence of a termite attack.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Tree stumps

Why here?

Tree stumps not only provide a food source for termites, but also a good habitat for building a new colony.

What damage could they do?

If termites set up a colony or start feeding on a tree stump near your home, they can migrate to your home and feed on the timber structure, skirting boards, architraves, and furniture and even your books. No one wants termites close to their home.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Remove tree stumps from your yard
  • Get regular termite inspections
  • If any stumps in your yard have termites, make sure it is treated as soon as possible.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Large trees

Why here?

Trees are great food sources for termites. They also provide a habitat for building a colony.

What damage could they do?

Termites can cause severe structural damage to trees, which creates the danger of branches, or even the entire tree, falling and damaging your home or endangering your family. Also, once termites are in your yard, it is a short step for them to move to your home and cause extensive damage.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Identify termite-infested trees through a regular termite inspection.
  • If a tree in your yard does have termites, you must have it treated as soon as possible to remove the danger to your home and family.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Garden mulch

Why here?

Mulch keeps in moisture very well, which termites are attracted to. It also provides them with a food source.

What damage could they do?

Mulch may encourage termites closer to the home and conceal possible entry points. Once termites are in your home they can consume any source of cellulose, like the timber structure, floor boards, architraves and furniture.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Use mulch that termites won't find attractive
  • Leave a gap between the mulch and the foundations of your home.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Kitchen

Plumbing leaks

Why here?

Moisture caused by plumbing leaks in your kitchen, or other areas of your home, will attract termites to the area and all the food sources it provides.

What damage could they do?

Allowing an attractant such as moisture to develop in your home provides a beacon to termites looking for a new environment to live and reproduce. Termites will consume any source of cellulose such as your home's timber structure, skirting boards, architraves, furniture and even books.

What can I do about it?

 

  • Make sure all plumbing leaks are repaired as soon as possible.

An annual termite inspection is the best way to protect your home from termites. Call 0861 117 852 to book your termite inspection now.

Discarded wings

What's this?

During their flight season in spring, termite reproductives (male and female winged termites) fly out from their original colony to establish new ones. These termites drop their wings when they land and look for a mate, before setting up a new feeding and breeding site.

Why does this indicate termites?

Discarded wings are a sure sign that termites have been in the vicinity. If the area is a suitable environment for the termites to feed and reproduce they may establish a colony and cause damage to your home.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately to book an inspection on 0861 117 852.

Hollow sound

What's this?

Door jams, skirting boards or architraves with a hollow or papery sound when you knock on them.

Why does this indicate termites?

Termites consume cellulose, such as the timber in your door jams, skirting boards and architraves, leaving them partially hollow and damaging the structural integrity of the timber. Tapping or knocking on the timber may highlight the loss of integrity within and indicate termite activity.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately to book an inspection and an appropriate treatment by calling 0861 117 852.

Cracked ceiling

What's this?

An unexplained cracking of a ceiling cornice.

Why does this indicate termites?

Termites consume cellulose, such as the timber in your walls, ceiling and beams. Cracking of the ceiling and cornice may indicate damage to your homes structure that could be caused by termites.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately to book an inspection and an appropriate treatment by calling 0861 117 852.

Soil-like substance

What's this?

A persistent accumulation of a soil- or mud-like substance against walls, door frames, windows or on floors. It can sometimes look like twigs hanging from your door or window frames.

Why does this indicate termites?

Termites produce mud tunnels in order to travel, protect themselves from predators and contain warmth and moisture to provide an ideal environment in which to live and reproduce. The mud is made up of soil and termite excrement and is a common indication that termites are active in your home.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately to book an inspection and an appropriate treatment by calling 0861 117 852.

Sticking windows

What's this?

Rarely used windows or doors have become hard to open.

Why does this indicate termites?

Termites eating through the inside of the frames could cause them to become irregular and misshapen, making windows and doors difficult to open.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately on 0861 117 852 to book an inspection and an appropriate treatment.

Bedroom

Cracked walls

What's this?

An unexplained cracking of the walls.

Why does this indicate termites?

Termites consume cellulose, such as the timber in your walls, ceiling and beams. Cracking of walls may indicate damage to your homes structure that could be caused by termites.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately on 0861 117 852 to book an inspection and an appropriate treatment.

Winged termites

What's this?

Termite reproductives (both male and female) grow wings so they can fly out from their colony and look for a mate, before setting up a new feeding and breeding site. They are sometimes mistaken for moths.

Why does this indicate termites?

During their flight season in spring, termite reproductives fly out from their original colony and may create a new colony in or around your property.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately on 0861 117 852 to book an inspection.

Spongy floor

What's this?

The flooring has become spongy and springs more than usual.

Why does this indicate termites?

Termites may be eating through the floors from the inside out, which can cause the floor to collapse. They can easily spread to other areas of the house.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately on 0861 117 852 to book an inspection and an appropriate treatment.

Clicking sounds

What's this?

In the quiet of the night, sounds like knitting needles clicking or running water can be heard coming from within the walls or structure of your home.

Why does this indicate termites?

This could be the sound of termites moving within the wall structure. If this is the case, they may be causing damage to walls, beams and the ceiling, which could result in permanent structural damage.

What should I do?

Call Rentokil Pest Control immediately on 0861 117 852 to book an inspection and an appropriate treatment.

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