Termite Protection

Heading Text 2

 

You may be wondering whether or not your home needs termite protection.

The truth is the majority of Australian homes may be at risk from attack and the more wood you have, the greater that risk.

If termites get into your home the bill for repairs and treatment can run into the many thousands of dollars.

Many people don’t realise there are termites running riot in their home until serious damage has been done.

Fortunately, all is not lost because there are numerous methods to protect buildings against the silent destroyers.

 

Termite Monitoring

Termite monitoring stations which contain a termite food source are placed into the ground around the perimeter of a building.

If termite scouts or foragers find the food during their normal foraging activity, they will tag the station with a pheromone, providing a scent trail for other termites to follow.

After termites have begun feeding at the station, bait with a slow-acting termiticide is added.

Termites take the bait back to their colony where it is fed to other termites including the queen and eventually the whole colony is killed.

 

Termite Barriers

There are two basic types of termite barriers, and they are physical and chemical.

The former provides an impenetrable obstacle that termites have to go around or over and when they do they become visible and are easily dealt with.

The latter is a chemically treated zone around a perimeter of a property that contains an insecticide that either repels or kills the insects.

 

  • Physical Barriers

Physical barriers include granite chips, stainless steel mesh and metal shields.

They are added to homes or building extensions while they are still being constructed.

  • Chemical Barriers

With a chemical barrier, chemicals are applied to the soil to prevent termites from getting in.

Some formulas will deter the entry of the unwanted guests while others will kill them.

The termiticide is slow-acting and unwittingly taken back to a termite colony where it eventually kills everything inside.

 

Termite Reticulation Systems

Termite reticulation systems have been around for years and are another effective way of keeping the destructive insects out.

A reticulation system is a series of underground pipes that can be installed for existing and new homes.

They slowly release insecticide into the soil surrounding a property, providing a strong chemical barrier.

Typically, the level of chemicals in the system is topped up every three to five years.

 

Termite Protection Tips

Here are a few termite protection tips to help you prevent the insects from infesting your property:

  • Repair leaking taps and water pipes to reduce moisture in and around the home that termites need to thrive.
  • Only use termite treated timber for garden structures such as fence posts and retaining walls.
  • Remove dead trees and stumps. These are ideal nesting sites for termites.
  • Remove stored timber and other cellulose-based products from under your home as these are attractive nesting sites for subterranean termites.
  • Regularly monitor wood structures, including doorframes, window sills and skirting boards for noticeable changes that might indicate that termites have found a way in.
  • Consider scheduling a regular pest inspection at least once a year.
  • If you’re modifying or extending your home check that you’re not disrupting termite protection barriers that have been previously applied.
  • Fix or replace any gutters that are in a state of disrepair.
  • Keep vegetation away from your home. Plants may help to beautify the exterior of your property, but they’re just another food source for termites.
  • Limit wood to soil contact by ensuring that wooden structures are not in direct contact with the soil.
  • Ensure that pools of water aren’t collecting on your roof or around the foundation of your property.
  • If you find termites don’t disturb them. They have strong survival instincts and if you try to kill them they may abandon the area and move to other parts of your building. Therefore, call the professionals to do the job for you.

 

Professional Termite Protection

If you suspect a termite infestation, contact the professionals at Pro Termites to conduct a termite inspection to determine the extent of the problem.