How to Tell If You Have Termites: 7 Warning Signs

1. Mud tubes on walls

Subterranean termites, the most common type in Hyderabad, travel from the soil to wood inside thin tunnels made of mud. Look for pencil-thin brown lines along walls, skirting, the backs of cupboards and around door frames.

2. Wood that sounds hollow

Tap door frames, skirting and cupboard panels. Wood that termites have eaten sounds hollow or papery, and may give way when pressed with a screwdriver.

3. Discarded wings

After the first monsoon rains, winged termites (swarmers) fly out to start new colonies. Piles of small, identical wings near windows, doors and lights are a strong sign of a colony nearby.

4. Doors and windows that suddenly stick

Termite activity brings moisture into wood, which can make doors and windows swell and become hard to open or close.

5. Bubbling paint or tiny holes

Paint that bubbles or peels on wooden surfaces, or pin-sized holes in wallpaper and plywood, can mean termites are working underneath.

6. Soil in cracks and joints

Fine soil or mud packed into cracks between the floor and skirting, or around wooden fittings, is often left by termites sealing their tunnels.

7. Damaged false ceilings and wardrobes

Sagging false ceilings, crumbling plywood inside wardrobes and damaged books or papers stored in cupboards are common late signs.

What to do if you spot these signs

Do not break open the mud tubes or spray store-bought insecticide: termites simply move to another part of the house. Have a professional inspection done to find where they are entering. Our Ex-Termite™ treatment drills along the skirting, injects a non-repellent termiticide to reach the colony and seals the holes, with a written warranty of 1 to 5 years.