They chewed through the roof: Termites threaten a house in Artà

They chewed through the wood: A house in Artà is in danger

Early Tuesday morning, in a side street in Artà, a section of the roof truss of a residential building collapsed. Fortunately, no one was at home and there were no injuries – still a shock for the neighborhood. The cause: a heavy termite infestation that hollowed out the wooden beams from the inside.

How the barely visible became visible all of a sudden

Many termites go to work for a long time unnoticed, says the municipal administration, which alerted residents with an information sheet. Hollow or crumbly wood, fine dust under the beams, and small, dark passages in roof beams or door frames are typical signs. A neighbor, who often sweeps the street before breakfast, reported a soft creak the previous night – only later was the noise linked to the collapse.

Why here?

Mallorca's mild climate, combined with shaded, poorly ventilated attic spaces, provides termites with ideal living conditions. Especially older houses with wooden ceilings or roof beams are vulnerable. The insects feed on cellulose; they work from the inside out and are therefore often only discovered when large parts of the construction have already weakened.

What the municipality recommends

The town administration of Artà recommends having professional inspections carried out: carpenters, civil engineers, or companies specializing in wood protection should check whether further damage is present. As a precaution, residents are asked to inspect attics, ceiling voids, and the area around doors and window frames.

Practical tips for homeowners

If you want to check yourself: Look for fine wood dust, small holes, or winding passages. Tap beams gently – if they sound hollow, that’s a warning sign. Concealed areas behind coverings and plastic sheaths should be opened if suspected. And yes: damp wood spots are often the beginning.

Treatment options

Common measures range from targeted bait and lure systems to local injection treatments or partial wood replacement. In serious cases, extensive repairs to the roof structure are necessary. Important: have work performed only by licensed pest control professionals and skilled trades to ensure the building fabric is safe again later.

For many residents, this is an uncomfortable reminder to regularly have old houses checked—especially now that wetter months are ahead. If you have questions or need an initial assessment, contact the Artà town administration or licensed specialist firms in Palma and the surrounding area.

And a final piece of advice from the man at the bakery on the corner: Don't wait for noises, better to check more than once. Sounds like good neighborly wisdom.