Buying A House? Here's 3 Ways To Tell If It Has Termites

How much could termites cost you?

The average cost of removing a termite infestation and repairing the damage is around $7000!

As a potential home buyer you should know how to check for termites yourself, it could save you thousands further down the track..

Always check for termites when viewing a new property. Nobody wants to waste money on an investment or live in a bug infested home…

Here are the 3 ways to tell if a house has termites:

#1. Mud Tunnels

You probably don’t know what a mud tunnel is but you’ve definitely seen them before….

Mud tunnels are thin tubes termites build to connect their nests. They look like like messy strings of mud and you’ll spot them either on trees or outdoor material like brickwork or concrete.

Always take the time to look for mud tunnels. They’re a key sign there has been or is a termite problem. They are most commonly seen on places that lead from the outside into the property. So keep a close eye on garages, foundations, basement areas or decking. Don’t forget to check for signs of termites in the garden. Most infestations start outside.

Mud tunnels are the clearest visual sign termites leave. This is the number one thing to look for when you are looking at a house.

#2. Damaged wood.

It’s not as easy as you think to spot wood damage. Termites eat wood from the inside out so there is very little surface damage visible to humans.

When viewing a property test the quality of the wood by tapping or knocking. If the wood sounds hollow and feels a bit spongey it is likely termites have been munching inside. Extremely weak wood will actually dent if you poke your finger into it. If a skirting board or door frame looks a bit fragile, give it a poke and see what happens…

Termites also cause a big moisture build up in the wood they nest in. Look out for signs of moisture damage like bubbling paintwork, rippling in wall papers or unexplainable damp spots.

Remember to check that doors close and windows don’t jam in their frames. Moisture damaged wood swells up and becomes distorted.

#3. Termite waste

Termites rarely come out of the woodwork but they do leave little clues for us…

Termite poo or ‘Frass’ to call it the proper name can sometimes be visible in homes with a termite infestation. Frass is made up of lots of small sandy coloured droppings and looks like a tiny pile of sawdust.

Look out for these tiny sawdust piles in the corners of window sills or around door frames. These are common places for termites to build their nests.

Also look out for discarded wings around the windowsills. These are evidence of ‘swarmers’. Swarmers are winged adult termites that leave the nest to make a new colony. They are attracted to window sills where they shed their wings and burrow into the wood to mate leaving their wings behind.

If you see discarded wings this is a definite sign there is a growing termite infestation…

If you are viewing a property always be on the look out for signs of an infestation.

No home is safe from termites, even new builds and modern homes can become infested with termites, make sure you know how to check for termites yourself.

Remember to ask your real estate agent lots of questions and get their opinions. It is unethical for an agent or seller to hide termite damage or infestations.

If you are considering buying a home with termite damage it’s easy to get an assessment of the work you will need on the property, A termite problem is not a death sentence, a property could still be perfectly liveable.

Just make sure you are always aware of the level of infestation and the future costs...
Are you house hunting at the moment? Let us know your concerns or tips in the comments below…