Finding a new property can be an exciting turning point in your life. If you prefer to purchase one that's already been lived in, you'll find yourself dealing with property inspections. Each inspection you order costs money, so it's always useful to identify early signs of problems for yourself. One issue that can be particularly hard to resolve is a termite infestation. Here are some signs the property you're looking at is also home to termites.
Hollow-Sounding Wood
Wooden furniture and other solid structures such as staircases should not sound hollow when you knock on them. If they do, there's a chance that they're hosting termites. Try choosing a structure such as a banister and knock on it in several places to listen for signs of hollowness. If it does sound hollow at one or more locations, it may be due to termites.
Visible Holes
When termites spend time feasting on wood, they form little burrows that look like holes. They're more likely to occur just before termite mating season, so their absence isn't necessarily an indicator that no creatures are present. The holes are very small, and termites may eventually close them off again either with scraps or faeces. If you do spot multiple small holes that the property owner cannot explain, you should ask them to provide a report stating that no pests are present.
Musty Smells
Sometimes termites produce an odour that's like mildew or mould. This arises for a number of reasons, including termite faeces and termite activity causing water to gather and produce mould. If you do notice unfamiliar smells when you are looking around a property and you can't account for where they're coming from, it may be because of a termite invasion.
Nest Building
Did you know that termites like to live in nests? Despite being relatively small creatures, they're adept at building places to live in. When you go to visit a property, take a small torch with you and use it to look in hidden nooks and crannies. If you spot small piles of shredded paper, it may be because there is a colony of pests that have built a nest to live inside.
Of course, the most reliable way to determine whether these creatures are present is by ordering a termite inspection. Once the inspection is complete, your pest control team will make recommendations for treating the issue. This can also prove useful when you're trying to sell your own property, as it can give buyers the reassurance that it's termite free.
Share28 December 2021
Every year as soon as summer hits, the bugs come calling. We have a sandy soil and have a recurring issue with ants getting into every piece of food or moist area in the house. Sometimes they even chew through the packaging to get to our food! It drives me crazy. After trying every home remedy and insecticide in the shop, we decided it was time to call in the big guns and got some exterminators in. It was a really good move because we are finally rid of those pests. This blog is all about the best ways to get rid of ants.