Termites in a door frame: signs and next steps

Termites eat timber from the inside out. A door frame can look fine on the surface while only a thin skin of paint is left.

Signs to look for

• A hollow sound when you tap the frame base
• Thin mud tubes on the wall, skirting or floor joint
• Paint that bubbles or cracks in a straight line
• Soil-like debris on the floor
• Winged insects near lights after rain (swarmers)

Treat first, repair second

Don't open up the frame yourself. Call a licensed pest-control company to inspect and treat. Ask them to check other door frames, built-in wardrobes and skirting nearby, because termites rarely stop at one spot.

What the repair involves

We cut back to solid timber, splice in new hardwood, fill, sand and colour-match. If the damage reaches the top of the frame, a full replacement is better value. See termite-damaged door frame repair.