We Filipinos have a soft spot for folklore and superstition—and honestly, that’s part of what makes our culture unique. But when it comes to pests that can cost over ₱22 billion in damage a year, it’s time to set the myths aside.
Get ready to strap on your myth-busting helmets and explore the common termite myths that most Filipino homeowners still have. Discover what you can do with the knowledge you’ll walk away with by the end of this blog.
How Filipinos Think About Termites and the Price We Pay for Misleading Myths
We Filipinos are quick to grab the broom the second we see a cockroach, but rarely react as fast to the early signs of termite damage.
In countries like the US or Australia, regular termite inspections are conducted every year. Some places even require them by law when buying or selling a property. Meanwhile, here at home, this is not yet ingrained in our custom. Much of our blind spot comes from myths and hand-me-down tips that feel comforting but leave us exposed.
Misconceptions are universal, and every family inherits its own set of stories. But if you want your home to last for generations, it’s time to rethink and trade hearsay for hard facts.
So, before we bust these myths, it’s worth looking at how these misconceptions have shaped how we deal with termites. Because once you get to the last myth, we’re hoping you’ll see things differently with fresh eyes to protect your home.
Debunking 5 Termite Myths Every Filipino Homeowner Needs to Know Before it’s Too Late
Let’s start and debunk these ter-myths!
Myth #1: Gamugamo Just Means It’s Going to Rain Soon
Tiny swarms of insects circling under light bulbs or street lamps at night, we’ve all seen this growing up. Maybe you even played with the light switch just to watch them scatter and come back. And then one of our relatives would glance up and say, “It’s going to rain soon.”
They weren’t wrong—but they weren’t completely right either.
Gamugamo are actually flying termites, also called alates. They leave the nest on warm, humid nights, often just a few hours before rain, because the moist air keeps them from drying out. During this short flight, they look for mates to start a new colony. Each successful pair becomes a future king and queen and searches for a spot a few distances away from their original termite nest.
Many homeowners still think of gamugamo as harmless insects. But if they’re courting on your premises, that parent colony is likely 2-5 years old, and there may have been damage already in progress.
So the next time you see a handful of termite wings near light sources, don’t shrug it off. Book a termite inspection as soon as possible.
Myth #2: Disturbing a Nuno sa Punso Will Bring Curse
We’ve all seen those oddly shaped mounds of soil, especially when walking past overgrown lots in the provinces. Anyone who’s lived or has properties in the countryside has likely been warned not to disturb them.
And we didn’t question it. The thought of a tiny, grumpy dwarf cursing you with mystery fevers was enough to keep anyone at a safe distance. But what are these really?
What we locally know as punso are actually termite mounds, particularly built by a specific termite species called Macrotermes. These towers are made of soil, saliva, and termite waste to regulate temperature and moisture so the colony can survive underground. Knock it over and you won’t anger a dwarf; you’ll scatter a colony that can quickly split and multiply.
If you spot a mound on your property, don’t whack it; call a professional termite management company. They can identify the type of termite, assess the infestation, and treat it thoroughly. Plus, you won’t have to risk upgrading your shoe size from size 10 to size 15—kidding, of course!
Myth #3: They Are Only Active During Summer
It’s a common belief that termites only come out during the summer or dry season. And because Termite Awareness Month falls in March, it adds to the impression that this is the only time to be concerned. Once the rainy months arrive, people tend to lower their guard.
But the truth is, termites don’t take breaks. They are active all year round.
That’s because our soil stays at a temperature of 24 to 30°C almost every day of the year. This warmth creates the ideal environment for termites to keep feeding, digging, and growing their colonies, rain or shine.
And non-stop activities mean non-stop damage. A single termite eats about 2 mg of wood per day. That may not sound like much until you consider the size of an average colony. With 50,000 workers, that daily nibbling can destroy around 1 kilo of wood every day. Cut that number in half, and the damage is still alarming for property owners.
Yes, you might notice more termites during warmer months. But the rainy season doesn’t slow them down. If anything, the extra moisture softens wood and keeps their tunnels damp, helping them spread faster and deeper into your home.
Don’t rely on the season to worry. Schedule an annual inspection, especially if your house has wooden structures, is near plants or trees, or has signs of dampness.
Myth #4: Termite Damage is Covered By Insurance
You spot some damage in your wooden flooring, and your first thought is: “It’s probably fine. Maybe this is covered by insurance.” It’s a comforting idea, until you review the fine print.
Most home insurance policies explicitly exclude damage caused by termites, insects, rodents, or other pests because these aren’t considered accidental but preventable maintenance issues. It makes sense when you think about it. Insurance is meant to cover sudden, unexpected events. But termites? They leave clues. Discarded wings, mud mounds, hollow-sounding walls. These signs build up over time, and insurers expect homeowners to act before things get worse.
Believing you’re covered can lead to complacency, and that’s when real damage happens. Delayed action turns minor issues into major, expensive repairs. And when the bill arrives, you’ll find out you’re on your own.
When it comes to termites, the best insurance is prevention. Set aside a small fund for routine inspections or soil treatments. It’s a smart, proactive move—and one of the most effective defenses against termite-related damage.
Myth #5: DIY Hacks Can Handle a Termite Infestation
When a problem shows up, many of us switch straight to DIY mode. It’s natural because we want to save money, fix things quickly, and hope it goes away.
From viral “life hacks” like hanging onions to trap flying termites, to applying used motor oil on wood, people have tried all sorts of things. Filipinos have always been resourceful. But termites aren’t like ants or cockroaches. Quick fixes just don’t cut it.
Here’s the thing: most of what you’re eliminating are only the termites you can see, the workers and foragers on the surface.
The real threat is underground or inside your walls, where a single colony can have thousands of members, including a queen that can lay up to 30,000 eggs a day.
DIY solutions don’t reach deep. At worst, you’re giving the colony more room to grow while believing the problem is gone. Some even turn to informal “spray men” offering cheap services, but results are inconsistent, and the infestation often comes back stronger.
If you’ve spotted signs of infestation, skip the trial-and-error phase and go straight to professional termite management. These experts are trained to inspect, create a custom strategy, and follow through to make sure the termite colony is fully eradicated.
Termite Awareness Starts With Unlearning What We Thought We Knew
For Filipinos, our homes mean everything. We pour our time, effort, and savings into them—because this is where we build a lifetime of memories. The last thing we want is for something preventable to slowly eat away at it.
If there’s one thing these five myths have shown us, it’s this: termites don’t need much to do damage. They don’t leave a mess like mice. They don’t make noise. They simply work in silence. And that’s how they win. Not because they’re smarter, but because we’ve been led to believe there’s nothing to worry about.
But now we know better.
Now that the termite myths are debunked, use what you’ve learned above to protect your property before the problem gets too late or too expensive to fix