The most common signs of termites are mud tubes on walls and foundations, skirting boards or door frames that sound hollow, bubbling or blistering paint, sagging floors, piles of discarded wings near windows after rain, and small holes or soil packed into cracks in timber. Termites work hidden inside walls, so damage is often advanced by the time it is visible.
Seven warning signs of termites
- Mud tubes about the width of a pencil running up walls, foundations or inside cupboards
- Hollow-sounding timber when you tap skirting boards, door frames or floors
- Blistering or bubbling paint on walls and timber
- Discarded wings on windowsills after warm, rainy evenings (swarming)
- Sagging floors or ceilings and doors that suddenly stick
- Soil in cracks or small holes in timber
- Bare lawn patches with small soil heaps (harvester termites)
Which termites are found in the Western Cape?
Subterranean termites, which live in soil and tunnel into buildings to feed on timber, are the main threat to homes. Harvester termites are also widespread, especially in drier areas like the West Coast, Karoo and Winelands, where they strip lawns and grazing.
What should I do if I find termites?
- Don't break open mud tubes or disturb the area: it makes the colony harder to trace
- Don't spray store-bought insecticide, which only kills the termites you can see
- Take photos and note where you found activity
- Book a professional inspection to identify the species and treat the colony
Frequently asked questions
Can termites cause serious damage?
Yes. Left untreated, termites can damage skirting, door frames, floors, roof timbers and stored items, and repairs can be expensive.
When do termites swarm?
Termites typically swarm on warm, humid evenings after rain, when winged reproductives leave the colony to start new ones.
Are flying ants the same as termites?
No, though they look similar. Termites have straight antennae, a thick waist and wings of equal length; ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist and unequal wings.
Need help now? Cape Shield Fumigation offers termite treatment across Cape Town and the Western Cape. Call or WhatsApp 066 575 0079.