Pest library
Termites
Termites eat structural timber from the inside out. The damage is usually done before anything is visible.
Macrotermes spp.
Termites work out of sight, inside timber and behind plaster, and a colony can be feeding on a roof truss for a long time before anything shows. In Malawi they are also a serious problem for stored goods, fence posts, door frames and anything wooden in contact with soil.
By the time a floor sounds hollow or a door frame gives, the structural work is already expensive. Pre-construction treatment is far cheaper than repair.
Signs you have termites
- Mud tubes running up foundations, walls or piers
- Timber that sounds hollow when tapped
- Discarded wings near windows after rain
- Blistered or bubbling paint on skirting and frames
- Fine soil-like material where timber meets masonry
Why it matters
- Serious and costly structural damage to roofs and floors
- Destroys stored documents, packaging and furniture
- Weakens fence posts, door frames and outbuildings
- Damage is rarely covered by insurance
How we treat it
For an existing colony we treat the soil around and beneath the structure to form a continuous barrier, and treat infested timber directly. Where the colony can be located, we deal with it at source rather than only at the point of damage.
For new construction we carry out pre-treatment before the slab goes down, which is by far the most effective and the cheapest point to intervene.
Book a free site inspection
Tell us what you are dealing with and we will assess the site, identify the source and quote you a treatment plan — at no cost.