What to Do When You Have a Termite Infestation and No Professional Help Right Away?

Discovering termites in your home or garden can be alarming—especially when it happens over a holiday period and professional help isn’t immediately available. The good news is that while termites can cause serious damage, panicking or taking the wrong action can actually make the problem worse.

If you’ve found termites and we’re closed (hello, Christmas shutdowns!), here’s exactly what to do—and what not to do—to protect your home until a professional can attend.

Termites bridging over physical termite protection (Termimesh).

The Most Important Rule: Do NOT Disturb the Termites

This is the single most important takeaway.

Termites should be left undisturbed wherever possible. The less interference, the more effective professional treatment will be when we attend.

Don’t Try to Kill the Termites Yourself

Reaching for an over-the-counter insect spray might feel like the right response—but it’s one of the worst things you can do.

Subterranean termites live deep underground in colonies that can number in the hundreds of thousands. Spraying or killing the termites you can see does not eliminate the colony. Instead, it causes them to scatter into harder-to-reach and often inaccessible areas of the structure.

Avoid at all costs:

• Fly spray or surface insecticides

• Petrol, diesel, or accelerants

• Fire or heat

• Chlorine, pool chemicals, or household cleaners

  
  

These methods are ineffective, unsafe, and often result in greater hidden damage.

Keeping termite workings—and the nest, if visible—intact is critical. Professional treatments rely on these workings to track and eliminate the entire colony.

Keeping the workings and the nest (if there is one) intact is very important. For successful treatment, the termite technician will need to use the workings to kill the colony.

Don’t Try to Relocate or Remove Them

Homeowners often attempt to deal with termites by:

• Scooping them up

• Burning or discarding infested timber

• Moving mulch, sleepers, or garden materials

Unfortunately, this rarely works.

Termite colonies are usually concealed and can be located up to 100 metres away from where activity is visible.

Moving infested materials often spreads termites throughout the yard and increases the risk of them entering the home.

When disturbed, termites migrate—often to places that are far more difficult to treat effectively.

Termites behind a tongue and groove wall panel.

Avoid Further Disturbance (Even If You’ve Already Touched Them)

Did curiosity get the better of you? A hollow skirting board, bubbling paint, or a crinkly bathroom wall?

If you’ve already disturbed the termites, don’t worry—it’s not too late to stop.

What to do next:

• Stop interfering immediately

• Gently seal the area with tape to block out light

• Avoid opening walls or removing timber

• Take clear photos of the termites, their workings, and the location

  
  

Photos help us correctly identify the pest (termites are often mistaken for ants) and plan the most effective treatment when we attend.

Keeping termite activity contained and locatable allows for faster and more effective eradication.

Reduce Conditions That Attract Termites

Homeowners should be proactive in preventing areas around the home that attract termites.

Aircon outlets draining against external walls provide an excellent moisture source for termites.

While waiting for professional treatment, you can take safe preventative steps around your home.

Check for and rectify:

• Timber or stumps in contact with soil

• Stored firewood or timber against walls

• Leaking taps or irrigation systems

• Gardens or mulch against external walls

• Air-conditioning outlets draining moisture at the base of the home

Reducing moisture and timber-to-soil contact makes your property far less attractive to termites that may be searching for a new food source.

What If the Termites Have Already Moved On?

If activity is no longer visible, it’s still essential to have a thorough termite inspection carried out as soon as possible.

Hidden termite damage can exist elsewhere in the structure, and only a competent and experienced termite inspector can assess the full extent of the risk.

Whether you have Physical or Chemical Termite protection in your home, an annual termite inspection by a competent and experienced Termite technician should be at the top of your homes maintenance to-do list.

How to Contact Us During Holiday Closures

The best way to contact our team outside of operating hours is via email.

Please include:

• Clear photos of the insects (if possible)

• Photos of the workings and location

• A brief description of where they were found

  
  

You’ll be placed at the top of our contact list when we return.

We often receive panicked emails about termites that turn out to be ants—photos really do help.

How We Manage Your Termite Problem

1. Inspection

We conduct a comprehensive inspection of the building and surrounding property to:

• Locate termite activity

• Assess existing damage

• Identify conditions conducive to infestation

• Check for other timber pests such as borers or wood decay

  
  

Annual termite inspections (as per Australian Standards) should be a priority for every homeowner—regardless of whether physical or chemical protection is installed.

2. Eradication

If active termites and their workings are present, we carry out a targeted remedial treatment.

Depending on the situation, this may involve liquid, dust, or foam applications applied directly to the termite workings or nest.

Professional-grade treatments do not kill termites immediately. Termites remain alive for approximately 2–3 weeks, allowing them to transfer the treatment throughout the colony. This delayed-action approach is what enables us to eliminate the colony at its source.

Disturbing termites before treatment significantly reduces the effectiveness of this process.

Please note: remedial treatments eliminate existing termites but do not prevent future attacks. That’s where termite management systems are essential.

A chemical Termite Barrier installed to the homes perimeter below the concrete footing provides protection against termites for up to 8 years

3. Prevention

Our technicians will recommend the most suitable termite management system for your property and provide a detailed, no-obligation quotation.

Our systems protect homes for up to 8 years when maintained correctly.

Be cautious of companies offering surface sprays as a preventative measure. These do not comply with Australian Standards and offer no warranty.

Effective chemical barriers must be injected into the soil at specified depths and rates to ensure proper adhesion and long-term protection.

DIY termite products are widely available, but their lower concentrations often result in higher long-term costs and inadequate protection.

4. Maintenance

We provide annual inspections in line with Australian Standards and replenish treatments as required.

You’ll receive a clear, easy-to-understand report with colour photos and practical recommendations to ensure your termite protection remains effective.

Final Word

Termites are one of Australia’s most destructive pests—but with the right guidance and professional care, they don’t need to be feared.

If you discover termite activity over the Christmas break, don’t panic and don’t disturb them. Send us an email with photos, and you’ll be at the top of our list when we return in the New Year.

Staying calm now can make all the difference later.

All Things Pest Control Mackay Termite Experts