Prevention Tips
7 Termite Warning Signs Every Sydney Homeowner Should Know
Termites cause more damage to Australian homes than fire, floods and storms combined. Here's how to spot them before they spot your timber.
Why Sydney is high-risk
The CSIRO classifies most of Sydney as a medium-to-high termite risk zone. Subterranean termites are active year-round here and can cause structural damage in as little as six months — damage that home insurance does not cover.
The 7 warning signs
- Mud tubes running up brick piers, foundations or internal walls
- Hollow-sounding timber when tapped (skirting, door frames, architraves)
- Sagging or buckling floors, especially near wet areas
- Doors and windows that suddenly stick as frames warp
- Discarded wings near windowsills after warm, humid evenings
- Pinholes in plasterboard with a papery feel around them
- Frass (termite droppings) that looks like fine sawdust piles
Get an annual inspection
The Australian Standard AS 3660.2 recommends a timber pest inspection at least every 12 months, more often in high-risk areas. A professional inspection uses thermal imaging and moisture meters to find activity inside walls before damage becomes visible.
What to do if you find termites
Do not disturb them. Spraying or breaking open a mud tube will scatter the colony and make treatment harder. Call a licensed termite technician immediately for an assessment and treatment plan — usually a chemical soil barrier (Termidor) or in-ground bait system (Sentricon).
Stop Bugs offers free phone advice and same-week inspections across Greater Western Sydney.
About the author
Stop Bugs Pest Control Team
Termidor and Sentricon certified applicators delivering AS 3660-compliant timber pest inspections.
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