Can Termites Eat Through Concrete? How They Really Enter Perth Homes
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Many Perth homeowners believe a concrete slab or a solid brick home keeps termites out. It is an understandable assumption, as termites eat timber, not stone. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common and costly misconceptions about termites. While termites cannot eat through concrete, they are remarkably good at finding their way around it, through tiny cracks, gaps and joints that most people never notice. As a local provider of Termite Control Perth homeowners have trusted for decades, Chambers Pest Solutions explains how termites really get into slab and brick homes, and what you can do to keep them out.
Can Termites Damage Concrete?
No. Termites cannot eat or chew through solid, sound concrete. Termites feed on cellulose, which is found in timber, paper, cardboard and some plant materials. Concrete gives them no food value, and their jaws are not designed to break through it.
However, this does not mean concrete stops termites. Instead of going through it, termites go around it, under it and into any weakness within it. Subterranean termites, the most common and destructive type in Perth, can squeeze through gaps that are around 1 millimetre wide, roughly the thickness of a credit card. Concrete slabs almost always have some weak points, such as:
- Shrinkage cracks that form as concrete cures and ages
- Construction joints where separate concrete pours meet
- Gaps around plumbing and service pipes that pass through the slab
- Poorly compacted or honeycombed concrete with air pockets
Termites will also build mud tubes over the surface of concrete to reach timber above. So while the slab itself is never eaten, it can easily become a pathway into your home.
How Do Termites Enter Slab Homes?
Termites usually enter slab-on-ground homes in places that are hidden from view, which is why infestations often go unnoticed for months. The most common entry points include:
| Entry point | How termites use it |
|---|---|
| Slab edge | Termites build mud tubes up the outside edge of the slab and into the wall cavity. This is often hidden by garden beds, paving, render or stored items. |
| Plumbing and service penetrations | Pipes for showers, toilets, sinks and floor wastes pass through the slab, often leaving small gaps around them. Bathrooms and laundries are common entry points. |
| Construction and expansion joints | Joints between separate pours, such as where a garage, patio or extension meets the main slab, create direct gaps to the soil below. |
| Cracks in the slab | Cracks caused by shrinkage, ground movement or tree roots can open a pathway from the soil into the home. |
| Infill slabs | Patios, porches and garages added after the main build often have infill slabs that sit on soil and connect directly to the house. |
| Weep holes | Weep holes at the base of brick walls lead into the wall cavity. If soil, mulch or paving is built up over them, termites can enter unseen. |
Once inside, termites usually move into the wall frame, skirting boards, door frames and cabinetry, often working from the inside out so damage stays hidden behind paint and plaster.
Can Termites Enter Through Cracks?
Yes. Cracks are one of the most common ways termites get into Perth homes. Subterranean termites can pass through gaps as small as about 1 millimetre, so even fine hairline cracks in a slab, path or brick mortar can be enough.
Cracks are particularly risky when they are:
- Hidden under floor coverings. Carpet, tiles and floating floors can cover slab cracks, so termite activity goes undetected.
- Close to wet areas. Cracks near bathrooms, laundries and kitchens are attractive because termites need moisture.
- At the junction of old and new work. Renovations and extensions often leave gaps where new concrete meets old.
- Caused by ground movement. Perth’s sandy soils, tree roots and changes in moisture can cause slabs and footings to move and crack over time.
Sealing visible cracks can help, but it will not stop a determined colony on its own. A properly installed termite barrier, combined with regular inspections, is the most reliable protection.
Are Brick Homes Safe From Termites?
No. Brick homes are not safe from termites. This is another common myth, and it leaves many Perth homeowners with a false sense of security.
There are two main types of brick homes in Perth, and both contain plenty of timber:
- Brick veneer homes have an outer layer of brick with a timber or steel frame inside. In timber-framed homes, termites can travel up the wall cavity and attack the frame directly.
- Double brick homes are common in Perth and have two layers of brick with a cavity between them. While the walls are masonry, these homes still have timber roof frames, ceiling joists, door frames, window frames, skirting boards, architraves, kitchen cabinets and often timber floors.
Termites can enter a brick home through the slab, weep holes, gaps in mortar or mortar droppings that have built up inside the wall cavity, creating a bridge for termites to climb. Because the brick hides the activity, termites can travel through the cavity for a long time before any damage becomes visible inside.
Brick homes may have fewer timber elements for termites to attack, but they are certainly not termite proof.
Can Termites Reach Roof Timber?
Yes. Termites can and often do reach roof timbers, even in single-storey brick homes on a concrete slab. Subterranean termites travel from their underground nest through hidden pathways, such as wall cavities and mud tubes, all the way up to the roof void.
Common routes into the roof include:
- Wall cavities. Termites climb through the cavity between the inner and outer walls to reach the top plate and roof frame.
- Internal wall frames. Timber stud walls give termites a direct path from the slab to the ceiling.
- Mud tubes on walls and piers. Termites can build tubes up the inside or outside of walls to reach timber above.
- Pipes and service lines. Gaps around plumbing, electrical conduits and downpipes can lead termites upwards.
- Trees and vegetation. Branches touching the roof or gutters can occasionally give termites another way in.
Damage to roof timbers is especially serious because it can affect the structural integrity of the roof and is often not discovered until there is sagging, cracked ceilings or visible damage in the roof void. This is why a thorough termite inspection should always include the roof void where safe access is available.
How to Protect a Slab or Brick Home From Termites
Concrete and brick help, but they are not enough on their own. To protect your home:
- Install a termite management system. A chemical soil barrier, baiting system or physical barrier helps stop termites entering your home undetected.
- Keep the slab edge exposed. Avoid building garden beds, laying paving or piling soil and mulch against the outside walls.
- Keep weep holes clear. Make sure weep holes are not covered by soil, paving or render.
- Fix leaks and drainage problems. Moisture around the slab attracts termites.
- Remove timber near the home. Old stumps, sleepers, firewood and timber in contact with the soil can attract colonies close to the house.
- Book regular termite inspections. Annual inspections, or more frequent inspections in high-risk areas, help catch termites before they cause serious damage.
Protect Your Perth Home From Termites
Concrete slabs and brick walls do not make a home termite proof. Termites are experts at finding hidden entry points, and the damage they cause can be costly and is rarely covered by insurance. Chambers Pest Solutions provides termite inspections, treatments, barriers and baiting systems across Perth and surrounds. Our fully licensed and insured technicians will find out how termites could be getting into your home and recommend the right protection, backed by our Lifetime Workmanship Guarantee.
Call us today on 08 9313 2871 or book a termite inspection online to make sure your home is properly protected.
