Terrifying moment a family's ceiling comes crashing down after it crumbled thanks to a TERMITE infestation
- Adelaide Hills family woken by sound of ceiling crashing down in living room
- Caused by termite infestation, the terrifying moment captured on security video
- Prompted warning by pest controllers that termites now active all year round
Horrifying footage has emerged of the frightening moment a young family was woken by the sound of their termite-infested ceiling collapsing in their living room.
The extensive damage recently caused to the Adelaide Hills home has prompted a warning for homeowners to be aware of termites, who are now active not just in the warmer months but all year around.
Home security video obtained by Seven News shows the dramatic moment cracks appear before the ceiling suddenly gives way and crashes to the ground with loud thuds in the middle of the night.
An Adelaide Hills family got a rude wake-up call when the ceiling caused extensive damage
The family's screams can be heard in the background, along with the beeping of a smoke alarm which had been activated.
The homeowners say they were unaware termites had been eating away at the support beams hidden by gyprock in their 1860s home.
The infestation caused extensive damage estimated to be thousands of dollars.
'We've been here for more than 12 years and never had any signs of cracking or damage,' homeowner Tori told Seven News.
'It's taken us quite a bit of the week to deal with it.'
Once busy jsut in the warmer months, termites are now active all year round (stock image)
The family are counting their lucky stars it didn't happen several hours early, where Tori was sleeping on the couch in the living room while her seven-year-old daughter played nearby.
'We’re just very, very lucky, just grateful. We could've been in there,' Tori said.
Adelaide pest controller Neil Raw wasn't surprised by the damage caused in the footage.
'Termites are becoming more prevalent, so infestations are now happening all year round,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
A woman and her young daughter were in the living room just hours before the ceiling came crashing down. The terrifying moment was captured on home security video
'Climate change has a lot to do with it. They used to work in the summer months but now they're foraging for food right through winter, which is why we're seeing so much damage.'
Mr Raw said homeowners should have their homes checked for termites by a certified pest controller once as year as prevention is far better than cure.
'Left without treatment, termites can cause major damage to the structure of your home or building,' he told Daily Mail Australia.
'A lot of people don't do it because they think booking a pest controller costs lot of money. But the damage caused by termites is far greater if they don't do it.'
Termite infestations now occur all year round, according to Adelaide pest controller Neil Raw
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