How Termites Quietly Damage Malaysian Homes - Early Signs of Termite Attack

In Malaysia, the most common termite species are Subterranean Termites, specifically from the genus Coptotermes – Coptotermes gestroi (common in urban areas like Klang Valley, Penang, Johor, Sabah, Sarawak) and Coptotermes curvignathus (common in oil palm and rubber plantations). Coptotermes gestroi are silent destroyers and are responsible for a large portion of structural termite damage in urban areas, accounting for over 85% of all infestations.

The other common one is called Drywood Termites whereby they live in nests inside drywood without requiring contact with the soil.

The difference between subterranean termites and drywood termites? 
As mentioned above, Drywood Termites do not need soil contact, lives entirely inside the wood, produces frass, infest dry wood and usually smaller in colony size. As for Subterranean Termites, their nests are underground, and they enter houses through mud tubes. They also attack anything that contains cellulose such as wood, paper, cardboards, even electrical wirings. Their colonies are often huge which results in faster damage. They also do not like hard, dry wood unlike Drywood Termites.

Signs of Termite Infestation 

Common places that termites attack 
1) Door frames 
2) Wooden doors
3) Skirting boards
4) Cabinets and build-in wardrobes
5) Picture frames
6) Decorative wood panels
7) Wooden furnitures 
8) Untouched cardboards or newspapers

How to prevent termite infestation 

• Pre-contruction Soil Treatment - Liquid termiticide will be sprayed before building foundation and floorings are built. The most effective treatment that offers long-term pretection lasting 3-5 years or more. 
• Post-construction Slab Injection - Drilling small holes through floor slabs (tiles/concrete/cement) throughout the perimeters of the building and injecting liquid termiticide into the soil. Can be used with or without existing termite infestation. 
• Termite Monitoring Station - Non-chemical device is placed in-ground to detect early subterranean termite activity before they enter a building. It acts as a 'Warning System' so that action can be taken before termites start damaging your building.

• Do not store unused carboard, boxes or newspaper in storeroom or dark, and quiet places
• Do not line newspapers in drawer or cabinets
• Repair any leakages at home
• Change or repair cabinets that has been damaged by water-leaking - moist wood are softer and less dense which attracts termites as it is easier for them to chew through. 
• Typical moisture spots in Malaysian homes included leaking pipes under the sink, air-conditioning condensation dripping on wood, roof leakage resulting in damp ceilings, bathroom with bad ventilation retaining moisture. 

• Termite Baiting - Termite bait contains termite food - cellulose mixed with slow-acting termiticide. Termites get attracted to the bait, consume it, and bring it back to their colony to feed the Queen. Over times, the whole colony will be eliminated. 
  • Inground Baiting - baits are placed in the soil to eliminate termite colonies. 
  • Above-ground Baiting - used when termites are inside walls, ceilings, or elevated wooden structures rather than coming from the soil. The termite bait will be installed directly on infestated area, attracting termites to consume the bait and carry it back to the colony. 
• Foaming - A targetted treatment method where termiticide is used in the form of foam, to reach termites hiding in hard-to-reach areas like walls, cracks, void, or inaccessible woods. 
• Slab Injection- injecting liquid termiticide into the soil beneath the concrete slab to form a continuous chemical barrier, preventing termites from entering the structure.