Termites are one of the most destructive pests in Australia. Every year, they cause more than $1.5 billion in property damage across the country — damage that most home insurance policies don’t cover. Unlike most pests, termites work silently and invisibly inside walls, floors, and roof cavities, often going undetected for months or years. By the time you notice the signs, the structural damage can already be severe.
If you suspect termites in your home, acting quickly is critical. In fact, many homeowners first notice subtle damage that overlaps with broader signs of a hidden pest infestation, such as hollow timber, unexplained wall damage, or strange noises in wall cavities. This guide walks you through how to identify termites, the most effective treatment options available in Australia, and how to protect your home from future infestations.
What Are Termites? (And Why Are They So Dangerous?)
Termites, also called white ants, are small, pale insects that feed on cellulose — the organic material found in wood, paper, and plant matter. In Australia, the most damaging species is the subterranean termite, which lives underground in large colonies and travels through mud tubes to reach timber in your home.
A mature termite colony can contain several hundred thousand workers, all consuming timber around the clock. Because they eat from the inside out, wooden beams and flooring can appear completely normal on the surface while being hollowed out entirely beneath it.
💡 Termites are not the same as ants. If you see white or pale insects near timber or soil, don’t dismiss them as ordinary garden ants — call a professional for an inspection.
Warning Signs of a Termite Infestation
Catching termites early can save you tens of thousands of dollars. Watch out for these key warning signs:
- Hollow-sounding timber: Tap wooden walls, skirting boards, or flooring — a hollow sound suggests termites have eaten through the interior.
- Mud tubes: Pencil-width tunnels made of soil and wood pulp running up walls, foundations, or pipes are a telltale sign of subterranean termites.
- Discarded wings: Flying termites (alates) swarm to start new colonies, especially in spring. Finding piles of small wings near windowsills or lights is a red flag.
- Blistering or bubbling paint: This can indicate moisture from termite activity beneath the surface.
- Tight-fitting doors or windows: Termite damage can cause timber frames to warp, making doors and windows harder to open.
- Visible damage in timber: In advanced cases, you may see crumbling, darkened, or grooved wood in exposed timber or furniture.
How to Get Rid of Termites: Your Treatment Options
There is no single one-size-fits-all solution for termite control. The right treatment depends on the type of termite, the severity of the infestation, and your property’s construction. Here are the most effective methods used by pest control professionals across Australia.
1. Chemical Soil Barriers (Termiticides)
One of the most common and reliable termite treatments in Australia, a chemical soil barrier involves injecting liquid termiticide into the soil around your home’s perimeter and under the slab. When termites pass through the treated soil, they carry the chemical back to the colony, eventually eliminating it.
Products containing bifenthrin, imidacloprid, or fipronil are commonly used by licensed professionals. Chemical barriers typically remain effective for 8 to 10 years when applied correctly, making them a long-term investment. If you’re budgeting for treatment, it’s worth reviewing the full breakdown of pest control cost in Australia to understand what influences pricing, from property size to infestation severity.
💡 Chemical barriers must be installed by a licensed pest control technician in Australia. DIY termiticide application is not permitted under Australian Standard AS 3660.
2. Termite Baiting Systems
Bait stations are an increasingly popular alternative to chemical barriers, especially for homes with gardens, water features, or slab construction. Bait stations are installed in the ground around the property perimeter at regular intervals. Workers find the bait, consume it, and share it throughout the colony.
The key advantage of baiting systems is that they actively eliminate the colony rather than simply blocking entry. They are also lower in chemical impact, making them suitable for homes with pets, children, or sensitive gardens. Popular systems in Australia include Sentricon and Exterra.
3. Direct Timber Treatment
For active termite infestations inside structural timber, pest controllers may inject foam or dust pesticides (such as arsenic trioxide or bifenthrin dust) directly into termite galleries. This kills termites on contact and can quickly eliminate colonies in localised areas. This method is usually used alongside a soil barrier or baiting system for complete control.
4. Heat Treatment
Heat treatment involves raising the temperature inside wall cavities or affected areas to above 50°C, a temperature lethal to termites. This chemical-free option is ideal for sensitive environments or heritage-listed buildings. However, it is typically limited to localised infestations and is rarely used as a standalone solution for whole-home infestations.
5. Fumigation
For severe, whole-home infestations — particularly with drywood termites — full-property fumigation may be recommended. The home is sealed and filled with a gas fumigant (such as sulfuryl fluoride) for 24–72 hours. While highly effective, fumigation requires residents to vacate the property and is a significant undertaking. It is less common in Australia than other methods due to the prevalence of subterranean species.
Should You DIY or Hire a Professional?
There are over-the-counter termite sprays and baits available at hardware stores, but for termites, DIY treatment is rarely effective. In fact, when comparing DIY vs professional pest control, termites are one of the clearest examples of why expert intervention is critical. Here’s why:
- Termite colonies can contain up to 1 million individuals — surface sprays only kill the workers you can see, leaving the queen and colony intact underground.
- Incorrect treatment can cause termites to scatter to new areas of your home, making the infestation harder to track and treat.
- Australian Standard AS 3660.2 governs termite management — full chemical barriers must be installed by a licensed professional to be compliant and valid.
- Most professional treatments come with a warranty. A proper termite inspection also provides documented evidence that may be required for property sale or insurance purposes.
If you spot what you believe are termites, the best immediate action is to avoid disturbing them and contact a licensed pest controller as soon as possible.
Termite Prevention: Protecting Your Home Long-Term
Getting rid of termites is only half the battle. Without preventative measures, your home remains vulnerable to future attack. Here are the most effective steps Australian homeowners can take:
- class=”conduct”
- Schedule an annual termite inspection by a licensed pest controller — this is the single most important thing you can do.
- Fix leaking pipes and poor drainage immediately, as termites are attracted to moisture.
- Keep timber, firewood, and mulch away from your home’s foundation.
- Ensure subfloor areas are well-ventilated to reduce moisture buildup.
- Avoid storing cardboard boxes, old newspapers, or timber furniture directly on the floor in garages or under the house.
- Consider a physical termite barrier if you’re building a new home — these are built into the slab and foundation during construction.
💡 Under Australian Building Code requirements, new constructions must include termite management systems. If you’re buying an older home, always commission a pre-purchase pest and building inspection.
What Factors Affect Your Termite Treatment?
Not all termite treatments are created equal, and the right solution for your home depends on several key factors. Understanding these helps you have a more informed conversation with your pest controller and set realistic expectations before work begins.
The type of termite present plays a major role — subterranean species require different treatment approaches to drywood termites, and misidentifying the species can lead to ineffective results. The severity and spread of the infestation also matters significantly; a localised active colony in one wall cavity is a very different job to a whole-home infestation that has been active for years.
Your property’s construction type — whether it’s a slab, raised timber floor, or heritage build — determines which treatment methods are accessible and suitable. Similarly, the size of your property affects how much product and labour is required to establish a full perimeter barrier or baiting system.
Finally, access to affected areas can influence the complexity of the job. Hard-to-reach subfloor spaces, dense landscaping, or existing structures built over the foundation may require additional work before treatment can begin.
The one constant across all scenarios: prevention is always simpler and less disruptive than treatment. The earlier termites are caught, the fewer options get taken off the table — which is exactly why annual inspections matter so much.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait on Termites
Termites are not a problem that goes away on its own. Every day without treatment is another day of structural damage to your home. If you’ve spotted warning signs — or simply haven’t had an inspection in the past 12 months — now is the time to act.
A licensed pest control professional will conduct a thorough inspection, identify the species and extent of the infestation, and recommend the most effective and cost-efficient treatment plan for your specific situation.
Don’t let termites quietly eat away at your most valuable asset. Book a professional termite inspection today and protect your home for years to come.
