With over 20 different species present in Australia, termites are one of the most destructive pests in the country. They can chew through solid wood and squeeze into your commercial space through the smallest cracks. And since they spend most of their time inside the walls & other wooden structures, the damage might already be extensive by the time you notice their presence. So it pays to know the warning signs of termite infestation in your commercial building before it spreads too far.
1. Hollow-sounding wooden structures
Termites feed on wood from the inside out. Over time, the infestation will only leave a thin layer of wood behind. So when you tap on a termite-infested wood, it makes a hollow sound. And that’s one of the tell-tale signs of a termite infestation in a building.
2. Noticeable damage on the floors or ceiling
While termites are known for feeding on wood, they also chew anything that crosses their path. They can cause massive amounts of damage to the structural integrity of your shop or office’s laminated floors, ceiling beams, skirting boards & other items.
 May even be under the baseboards, below your hardwood flooring, or in less noticeable places in your commercial building
So if you notice blisters, sags, or cracks on such surfaces, and the wooden walls in your commercial space sound hollow, it’s time to call for professional termite control.Â
3. Cracked paint on wooden walls
Have you noticed bubbling or honeycomb-like damage on wooden wall paints? It’s possible that termites have eaten timber in the internal walls and weakened the walls’ structural integrity, causing seemingly unexplainable cracks in the paint. These paint cracks may resemble minor water damage, but if you’re sure you don’t have a moisture problem in the walls of your building, consider expert pest control.Â
4. Tight or stuck window and door frames
Termites bring moisture with them when they tunnel through door & window frames. And that can cause the frames to warp over time. In turn, doors and windows that used to open smoothly will become tight or get stuck. If you notice this sign (along with the other warning indicators of a termite infestation), don’t wait too long before calling a reliable commercial pest control company.
5. Presence of mud tubes
In Australia, the most common termite species are subterranean. And to go to the food source from their nest safely, they build a special pathway for protection. These pathways may look like miniature tubes and are usually made of dirt or termite droppings. You can find these mud tubes on a range of different surfaces, from metal sidings to concrete walls. They may even be under the baseboards, below your hardwood flooring or in less noticeable places in your commercial building.
One way to confirm termite infestation is to break up those mud tubes. Then, watch out if they are rebuilt after some time. If that happens, that’s one of the clear signs of a termite infestation. These mud tubes can be helpful for the exterminator, as they can pinpoint the exact nest locations of the termites using those tubes.
6. Repeated short circuits in your building
Electrical fittings behind walls can offer a warm shelter to termites. They would build nests on electrical sockets and other fittings using their moist & mud-like droppings. The moisture from the termite’s nest could impact the integrity of the sockets over time and cause repeated and seemingly unexplained short circuits in your building.
Also, as these critters traverse the cavity behind a wall, they may chew through any electrical wiring that gets in their way. They may also dislodge the wirings as they feed on the wooden parts of your building. Either way, they could cause short circuits repeatedly. If that happens, it’s best to have your electrical panels checked by a professional electrician. And if they see mud tubes or termites’ nests, your next phone call should be to a termite control company that can respond promptly.
7. Swarms of white-winged insects outdoors
It’s no secret that Australia is home to many species of insects. But if you notice swarms of white-winged insects in the building patio or garden during summer and spring, that’s a strong sign your business is a nesting place for flying termites, also known as alates. These swarms of insects indicate that termite colonies are present in or around your building. Check large piles of excess wood or rotting tree stumps in your backyard. That’s probably where the alates have reproduced and nested.