7 Signs of Termites in Your Melbourne Home (and What to Do Next)

Quick answer: The most common signs of termites are mud tubes on walls, stumps or foundations, timber that sounds hollow, bubbling paint, doors and windows that start to stick, and discarded wings near windows. If you see any of these, don’t disturb them. Book a professional inspection. Australian Standard AS 3660.2 recommends a termite inspection at least every 12 months.

Termites are often called “silent destroyers” for a reason. They live in the soil and travel through mud tubes and inside timber, so most homeowners don’t see them until the damage is done. And because most home insurance policies in Australia don’t cover termite damage, catching them early really matters. Here’s what to look for in a Melbourne home, where to check, and what to do if you find something.

7 signs you may have termites

1. Mud tubes or “leads”

Subterranean termites build thin tunnels of soil and saliva to travel between their nest and your home while staying hidden from light and air. Look for pencil-thin brown tubes running up brickwork, concrete piers, stumps, fences and the inside of the subfloor.

2. Hollow-sounding timber

Termites eat timber from the inside out and usually leave a thin outer layer intact. Tap skirting boards, door frames and window frames. If they sound hollow or papery, or your finger pushes through, get it checked.

3. Bubbling or cracked paint

Blistered paint or plaster that looks a bit damp can mean termites are active behind it, as they bring moisture with them.

4. Doors and windows that suddenly stick

As termites eat into frames, the timber can distort. A door or window that was fine last month and now jams is worth a closer look.

5. Flying termites and discarded wings

On warm, humid evenings, mature colonies send out winged termites to start new nests. Swarms near lights or piles of small, equal-length wings on windowsills are a strong sign there’s a colony nearby.

6. Damage in the garden

Termites often attack sleepers, retaining walls, old stumps, fence posts and timber decks first. Damage outside means a colony is active close to your home.

7. Sagging or rippled surfaces

Sagging floors, ceilings or architraves, or skirting that looks rippled, can be later-stage signs of termite damage.

Found termites? Don’t disturb them. Spraying them with insect spray or breaking open mud leads can make the colony move somewhere harder to find and treat. Leave the area as it is and call 03 9002 4082.

Is my Melbourne home at higher risk?

Termites are active across greater Melbourne. Your home may be at higher risk if it:

Is close to bushland, parks, creeks or large old trees
Has timber stumps, a timber subfloor or timber framing
Has leaking pipes, poor drainage or a damp subfloor
Has garden beds, mulch, woodpiles or sleepers touching the walls
Has extensions or decks that cover the edge of the slab, hiding termite entry points

If several of these sound like your place, consider inspections more often than once a year.

What happens during a termite inspection?

A thorough termite inspection checks the areas termites most often attack:

Inside the home: accessible rooms, skirting, frames and wet areas
Roof void and subfloor: where safely accessible
Outside and garden: fences, stumps, decking, trees and timber in contact with soil
Risk factors: moisture, leaks and anything that attracts termites

You then get a written report covering what was found, any damage and our recommendations. Our termite inspections in Melbourne start from $249 including GST, or from $399 when combined with a general pest treatment.

Due for a termite inspection?

Written report included. Tell us your suburb and we’ll text you a fixed price.

Book a termite inspection → or call 03 9002 4082

If termites are found: treatment options

Every property is different, so the right treatment depends on what the inspection finds. Options can include:

Treating the active colony to eliminate the colony, not just the termites you can see.
A chemical treatment zone in the soil around and under the building to help stop termites getting in.
Baiting and monitoring stations around the property, checked regularly and baited when termites are found.

We’ll explain the options that suit your home and budget, with a fixed price before any work starts.

How to lower the risk of termites

Fix leaking taps, pipes and hot water units, and keep the subfloor dry and ventilated.
Keep garden beds, mulch and soil below the level of weep holes and away from walls.
Don’t store timber, firewood or boxes against the house or in the subfloor.
Remove old stumps and timber offcuts from the garden.
Book a professional inspection at least every 12 months.