Termites are silent destroyers, hiding and thriving in your home or yard, often without any immediate or obvious signs that they are there. Termites survive by consuming cellulose, which they find by munching on grass, leaves and wood; which fortunately for them, can be found in large quantities in the very structure of your humble abode. It is for this reason that it is absolutely vital that a comprehensive termite inspection be performed every 6-12 months, so that if termites decide to make a meal out of your walls, they can be identified and a plan to eradicate them enacted immediately, before significant structural damage occurs.
There are a number of different species of termites that are found in Australia. Though some are more destructive than others, it’s vital not to underestimate their power.
Each colony contains hundreds of thousands, sometimes up to a million or more, of the pesky little insects which make up a highly organised group. Each colony has a King and a Queen, along with masses of workers, soldiers and the reproductive castes. When left unchecked, the damage they can cause to properties is simply mind-blowing… and not in a good way.
The most commonly identified termites in the Stroud, Dungog and Gloucester areas are Coptotermes and Nasutitermes.
At this point, you might find yourself asking well what can I do? An entirely valid question. There is no way to 100% termite proof your home, and 100% guarantee that no termite will ever venture onto your property again. So if a Pest Controller tries to sell you this – they might as well be selling you magic beans. But that’s not to say there aren’t things that can’t be done and that’s where we come in.
First of all, a comprehensive termite inspection should be performed to your house, including any surrounding outbuildings, fences etc. This report will not only identify any active termite colonies, but will reveal any old termite workings or damage, indicating previous colony activity; as well as identifying any risk factors present and making recommendations as to any changes you can make yourself to reduce the risk and any professional recommendations.
Once any active termites have been eradicated through the treatment plan developed in conjunction with yourself and your pest professional; it’s time to think about the future and protecting yourself from having a new colony moving in on the now empty territory. This is where a permanent management system will be your best friend. That and your local pest technician who will regularly check and service the system, and perform annual property inspections so you can be assured that your property remains safe.
1 in 5 homes in Australia will experience a termite infestation and related damage every year.
According to the Australian Institute of Architects, more than 1.5 billion dollars of damage is caused by termites in Australia each year.
The only way to know for sure the exact risk factors affecting your property, and the level of risk, is to have a termite inspection performed by a pest control professional.
In general, the following conditions create the most risk for termite infestation
The best thing you can do to protect your home is to both
Give us a call today to discuss protection of your property from termites.