Your Rainy Season should now be over and your roads are beginning to dry. However, this could be the start of problems for you. As termites love the moisture left behind after the rains, December is a great time to do a thorough check. Here’s what to look out for.
Why December?
The NE monsoon will leave your soil and walls damp for weeks, giving the termites the perfect opportunity to cause trouble. Many families will only realise there is an issue with the monsoon termites a few months later.
- Moist soil
- Termites will constantly feed
- Damage will be hard to spot
- Saves money in the long run.
Termite Swarms
After heavy rain, termites will often swarm. They tend to do this in the evening and will be attracted to light sources. If you spotted a cloud of winged termites in October or November then you had termite swarms. This means there is a mature colony nearby. Whilst it doesn’t necessarily mean your house will have an infestation, it shouldn’t be ignored.
- Wings were found
- They will be attracted to lights
- Wings will be found on window sills
- Do not brush them away
What To Look Out For This Month
| Sign | Description | Where to Look | Priority |
| Mud Tube | Thin lines of earth-like material on the wall. | Look around skirting boards, foundations and corners. | High priority. |
| Wings | Tiny transparent wings in small clusters. | Look around window sills and near lights. | High priority. |
| Hollow Wood | Will produce a dull papery noise. | Check doors, cupboards and frames. | High priority. |
| Bubbling Paint | Blistering or patchy areas. | Check lower walls and moist areas. | Medium priority. |
| Sticky Doors | Doors or windows will get stuck. | Check wooden frames. | Medium priority. |
| Frass | Tiny pellet like sawdust. | Found underneath furniture and floors. | Medium priority. |
How To Do A Quick Check
No special tools are needed. All you need is a torch and a screwdriver. The screwdriver is just to tap the wood.
- Tap wooden frames
- Check the skirting boards
- Check the back of cupboards
- Look under furniture
- Check bathrooms corners
- Check balconies
High Risk Houses
Some houses are just more prone to termites. If your house is any of the following then schedule an inspection.
- Older buildings
- Ground floor flats
- Wooden interiors
- Recently renovated
- Near gardens
How To Prevent Termites
Preventing termites is much easier than fixing them. Controlling moisture is key.
- Fix leaking pipes
- Improve external drainage
- Keep wood off the floor
- Clear garden waste
- Improve ventilation in moist rooms
- Seal cracks in walls.
What Not To Do
Often people will scrape away the mud tubes or spray over-the-counter products. This just causes the colony to spread. I have seen this go wrong many times.
- Don’t touch the tubes
- Don’t use DIY sprays
- Don’t put off an inspection
- Don’t try home remedies.
Trending
Termite treatments have been improving a lot recently. They are much less smelly and much more precise.
- Termite baiting
- Humidity meter
- Low odour termiticides
- Inspections before renovation
- Thermal imaging.
How JCS Pest Control Do It
This article is intent based, meaning it answers your question. If you are looking to compare Pest Control Services In Chennai then its good to know what a proper inspection looks like. We do the same thing every time so you know what to expect. Inspect, treat and reinspect. When doing Termite Control Chennai it is important to reinspect as rarely will they go away after 1 visit.
- Inspect all rooms
- Treat entry points
- Reinspect after weeks
- Clearly explain findings.
Quick FAQ
When is the best time to check for termites? December is a great time to check as the soil will still be moist.
Do flying termites mean there is an infestation? Not necessarily but it does mean there is a colony nearby.
How long does it take to treat termites? Most houses will take a few hours up to a day.
Can they damage furniture? Yes, they will target wood and card first.
Is it safe for children and pets? Modern treatments are low odour. Just keep them away whilst the treated areas dry.
Can I treat them myself? Over the counter sprays usually won’t hit the colony. Its safer to get a professional in.
Final Thoughts
A post monsoon check will take little time but can save you from paying thousands of Lakhs to fix. This month take a look around. Tap some doors and don’t wait for the damage to appear. If you want a team who can look beyond the surface then JCS Pest Control can help. Our Termite Control Chennai includes a proper inspection and reinspection. We offer a range of Pest Control Services In Chennai so 1 call can do everything your home needs.
