4 signs of termites in Delhi homes

Termites work quietly inside walls and wood. By the time most people notice them, they have often been there for months. Older kothis and builder floors with wooden almirahs, door frames and mandirs are especially at risk, but new flats get termites too. Here are four signs to look for.

1. Mud tubes on walls

Subterranean termites, the most common kind in Delhi NCR, build thin tunnels of mud to travel from the soil into your home. Look along the bottom of walls, around door frames, behind furniture and in storerooms. A tube about the width of a pencil is a clear sign.

• Break a small section. If it is rebuilt in a few days, termites are active.
• Take a photo before you break it; it helps the inspection.

2. Wood that sounds hollow

Termites eat wood from the inside and leave a thin outer layer. Tap door frames, skirting and the back panels of almirahs with a screwdriver handle. A papery, hollow sound or a surface that gives way easily means damage inside.

3. Wings after rain

Swarms come in March to June and after rain. Winged termites fly out to start new colonies and then shed their wings. Small piles of identical wings near windows, doors or lights are one of the most common first signs.

4. Powder or droppings under furniture

Fine powder or tiny pellets under wooden furniture can mean termites or wood borers. Both need treatment, but the treatment is different, which is why an inspection comes before any quote.

What to do if you find a sign

• Do not spray household insecticide on the tubes; it makes the colony move.
• Do not move the affected furniture to another room.
• Take photos and note where you saw each sign.
• Book a free inspection.

How termite treatment works

A free inspection comes first, followed by a written quote. The treatment itself is drill-fill-seal: small holes at the wall-floor joints, termiticide injected to form a barrier, and the holes sealed. Warranty length depends on the tier and chemical chosen, and it is written on the job card so it is clear from the start.