Signs to look for
- Thin mud-like tubes running up walls, door frames or cupboards from the floor.
- Wood that sounds hollow when you tap it, or that crumbles or looks like layers of paper.
- Tiny piles of fine dust or small pellets near wooden furniture or door frames.
- Paint or wallpaper that bubbles, and many small winged insects, or their discarded wings, near a window or light in the rainy season.
What to do meanwhile
- Take a photo of what you find and note which rooms. This helps the team find the nests.
- Move wooden furniture and boxes of paper or cloth a little away from the affected wall.
- Fix leaking pipes and damp spots. Termites like moisture, so dry walls help.
- Don't spray strong chemicals around the house yourself, especially near food, water tanks, cooking areas, children and pets. Don't mix different chemicals together.
Questions for the pest control team
- How will you treat it: the soil and walls, the wood, or both? Termites are hidden, so spraying only the visible part may not be enough.
- Which products do you use, and how long should we keep the rooms empty and ventilated?
- What should we do to prepare the house, and is there a follow-up visit? Ask for the details of any promise in writing.