Everything You Need to Know About White Ants and How to Control Them

White ants are destructive pests in Perth, as they eat wood and are known to cause damage to any wooden structure. To safeguard your investment, you need to be able to identify and control white ants successfully. In this post, you will find white ants description, how to identify them and the best control methods. Termites are white ants which damage the structures by consuming the wood. You can protect your property and household or business in general by identifying and controlling them.

What Are White Ants (Termites)?

Despite their name, white ants are not ants, but termites. They are part of the same group as cockroaches. White ants are a boon to the environment, as they break down the dead wood, but when they enter houses, they can be a real nuisance. They hive in colonies with a queen, workers and soldiers, and they are very good at eating wood and other organic materials.

There are many types of termites in Australia, but the dominant ones are the Subterranean kind. These are subterranean termites that build mud tunnels to get to food. They frequently slip into homes unnoticed.

Signs of White Ant Infestation

White ants are also known as “silent destroyers” and for good reason – they can do a lot of damage to your Perth home before you discover them. But there are signs you can look for to identify an infestation early:

• Soil lines: Termites create their own utility lines made of mud, known as soil lines, for their travels from their food source to the colony. You may see these tubes on walls, below your foundation or above your ceiling.

• Swarmers (Alates): Reproductive termites fly out during the swarming season to start new colonies. You might observe flying termites around windows or lights.

• Hollow wood: If any wood sounds hollow when tapped, it may be infested by termites.

• Crushed wood: Wood that appears crushed at structural bearing points, and with small holes, may be the result of termites feeding.

• Wings: Termites shed their wings after swarming. If wings are found around windows or corners, there is likely a current infestation.

The Dangers of Ignoring a White Ant Infestation

White ants that are not treated properly can result in huge problems. Here’s why you should never overlook it:

Structural damage: Termites view your home more of a take-away meal than a home! If not dealt with, they could weaken your foundation, beams and walls, resulting in expensive and significant repairs.

Hidden damage: Termites remain hidden in walls, floors, and ceilings, which can make it difficult to determine the extent of the damage. By the time you see them at work, they may have already inflicted thousands of dollars of damage.

Decreased property value: Houses with termite damage are not as attractive to buyers. This could devalue your property, especially if you don’t repair or disclose the damage when selling.

Addressing a termite infestation early can protect your house and prevent big problems later on.

How to Prevent White Ant Infestations

Stopping white ant damage is crucial. Here are some ways you can safeguard your property:

Regular inspections: Schedule annual pest inspection with professionals in Perth. Termites are best caught early, as they start doing their damage long before people ever notice them.

Seal entry points: Inspect for cracks or gaps around walls, window, doors, plumbing and utility lines. Seal all cracks to prevent termites from entering your home.

Clear wood debris: Don’t use your home’s wood pile, lumber or scrap wood as mulch near your home. Heap wood above the ground and distant from the foundation to keep bugs at bay.

Increase ventilation: Termites thrive in damp areas. Ensure good air circulation in your home, particularly in basements and crawl spaces, to decrease humidity.

Put in a termite barrier: Think about a physical or chemical termite barrier that surrounds your house. These barriers prevent termites from getting in and are essential in termite infested areas.

Doing these things will reduce the risk of a white ant infestation and protect your property from them.

J&D Termite Treatment Morley offers all pest control services in Morley and surroundings. Feel free to contact us at (08) 6275 6552 or visit our website:

https://jdtermitetreatment.com.au/