Termites In Subfloor

The subfloor is one of those spaces that are hard to get into and are unpleasant to be in, unless you’re a termite. For a termite, they’re lovely places to be in.

We’ve inspected homes many times in the past where the subfloor was not inspected by the previous company. There’s a reason for this. The subfloor is often a difficult space to get into and a horrible place to be. It can be damp, confined, have spiders, and be littered with stuff you don’t want to step on.

The thing is, for many of these same reasons, termites love subfloors. Let’s have a look at that then. 

Why Do Termites Like Subfloor Areas

The subfloor area has many of the things that termite like and some of the very things they can’t exist without.

Termites Love Damp

Termites are living creatures and so they need water, just like we do. They also use it for construction of mud tubes, channels they use to gain access to your home. Moisture will also soften timbers and make them easier to consume. Termites and damp are best friends. And your subfloor is often a damp space.

Termites Love Dirt

Termites can live and travel through dirt. You can have a colony of termites in your garden right now and you might not know it. Termites can travel into your subfloor through the dirt. This dirt is then used to create mud tubes. By using these tubes they can travel up into your home from the subfloor. The subfloor is a perfectly hidden place to access your home.

Termites Love Refuse

The subfloor in the header image shows a damp subfloor. You can also see the refuse left behind. Some of it will make food for termites. Things like old bits of timber, leaves and paper often find their way into the subfloor space. These all make for great meals for your termites.

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Subfloor Termite Problems Explained In Images

Hover over each image to get a full explanation of the termite issues faced. All images were taken by Gold Coast Pest Inspector during recent inspections. 

Massive lead in the subfloor
This shows you exactly what termites can do when left to their devices in your subfloor. They've build up a really big mudded area as they try and gain access to more food.
Mud tube up the brickwork
This is a classic textbook example of what we call a termite mud tube. This is how termite move between the dirt floor below into the home above.
Termite leads climbing brickwork
More mud tubes
As you can see from the past few images, termite mudding in the subfloor is a common sight for us. There are two leads in this photo, both leading to the timber above.
Termite lead in subfloor sm
Subfloor termite lead
This image shows clearly how termites use mud tube leads to move from the subfloor dirt to the house above.
Poor drainage to subfloor
Poor drainage in the subfloor
This image was used in our header, not because it shows termites, but because it shows you the conditions that termites love so much.
Termite mudding in a subfloor
Termite mudding in a subfloor
If you looke carefully at this image you'll see the mud tube the termites are using to access the timber floor directly above.

How To Protect Your Subfloor From Termites

When you think about hwo to combat termites, it’s useful to think about the things we’ve shown you above. Think about, what do termites love? They love living in the dark and damp with no-one ever coming around to hassle them. So with that in mind, check these simple steps.

  • Keep it well ventilated to prevent dampness
  • Check your drainage to (again) ensure you don't have dampness
  • Keep it clean so there is no debris for termites to enjoy
  • Get a regular inspection

It’s going to be nearly impossible for many of us to keep our subfloor in such perfect condition that it won’t be a haven to termites. Subfloors are by default a dirty and dank space. That’s why our last point is so important. Get a yearly termite inspection to make sure you’re subfloor isn’t being targeted by termites.

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