Is Damage to Car Tyres a Sign You Have Termites?
It's not easy to spot termites early. Often, you only know you have an infestation when the colony causes damage that becomes visible. While this damage is most easily seen on wood, which is the primary food source for termites, you can sometimes see damage in unusual places.
For example, if you suddenly notice that the surface of one or more of your car's tyres has tracks or tunnels running through it, then this may be a sign that you have a termite problem. Do termites really eat car tyres and how can you check if they are causing the damage?
Termites and Car Tyres
While termites eat wood, they sometimes eat through other materials as well. This can include plastics and rubber. So if you have termites eating away at the wood inside your home, then they may chew through cables if the cables are in their path. They don't necessarily want to eat the cables; they simply want to clear the way.
Most termites won't damage things like car tyres. If there is no wood in the area, they won't be interested in your car. However, some termites are more aggressive than others and have different eating patterns. They eat through a lot of different materials than regular termites.
For example, the Giant Northern Termite doesn't just go out to feed on wood like other termites. This is a very aggressive insect that sometimes eats unusual substances, like leather and rubber. This termite may find your car more attractive.
Signs of Termite Damage on Car Tyres
The damage that termites could cause on car tyres looks pretty much like the damage they leave behind on wood. You may see tracks running through the surface of the tyre or tunnel-like structures on the tyre.
Of course, this damage may have another cause, so you should think about whether you might have driven over anything that could have affected the surface of your tyres. Electrical damage can also sometimes make tyres surfaces pop.
This is more likely to be a problem if you live in the same area as a termite like the Giant Northern. These termites are only found in parts of Northern Australia. If you are in this region and you can't come up with another reason why your tyres are showing damage, then it's a good idea to call a termite control professional to ask for advice. Explain what has happened to your tyres; if they think you may have termites, they can come out and do an inspection for you.