Termite protection
Introducing the Termite Problem & Solutions
Termites (commonly known as white ants) are one of the most destructive pests in Australia. They cause millions of dollars of damage to homes and structures throughout Melbourne and Victoria every year, which is why termite protection is so important. Early detection through termite inspection and preventative (or post-detection) termite treatments are the key to keeping one step ahead of these destructive pests.
According to CSIRO, 1 in 3 homes will be affected by termites within the economic life of the structure. Termites are found in Melbourne and throughout all of Victoria, and all too often, the presence of these home invaders goes undetected until damage is discovered by chance. This damage is not covered by most insurance companies. Therefore, it’s best to ensure all preventative termite protection methods have been established. Regular termite inspections, prevention methods and termite treatments are essential for protecting your property from these pests.
Do you think you have Termites?
Spotting termites can be harder than you think so
If you suspect that you have termites or have found a damaged skirting board or door frame, it is essential not to disturb or break open the affected wood, as this may cause the termites to move and start damaging other areas of your home. The first step is to call our professionals in Melbourne at 0488 760 121 and speak with one of our customer service representatives about termite control. We will guide you through the following steps, including booking an appointment for one of Bugstoppers’ premium termite treatments or termite inspection services that are tailored to your needs.
How do you tell if you have termites?
Termites eat timber, hollowing it out from the inside, which can cause the timber to appear like it is bubbling or wrinkled. Sometimes, the termites eat through and patch the hole up with mud.
Inside a home, most people find termites in flooring, skirting boards and doorframes.
If your flooring feels soft underfoot or your vacuum cleaner goes through the skirting board, the first thing to do is to call Dawson’s to arrange for one of our accredited professional termite inspectors to carry out a termite inspection. We provide in-depth termite inspections Melbourne locals have been relying on for over 25 years to protect their properties.
Alates
Usually from mid-October till early March, established nests disperse young reproductive, winged termites out to start new colonies. On a warm and humid evening, hundreds of them will leave the nest at once, so their numbers look like swarms of flying ants. If you spot alates around your home, this is a clear sign to look into termite protection, as this could be a sign of a termite infestation and your home needing termite treatment.
Termite Leads
Termites are fragile insects. They don’t have many defences against predators and require a moist and humid environment to survive.
To get around safely when they are not underground or inside a piece of timber, they build leads, small tunnels made of mud and cellulose. The tubes look like little brown straws. These are some of the things we check for during our comprehensive termite inspections.
Termites are delicate insects that lack strong defenses against predators and need a damp, humid environment to thrive. When they are not underground or inside wood, they construct “leads,” which are small tunnels made of mud and cellulose that resemble tiny brown straws. These are some of the things we look for during our thorough termite inspections.
Termites flying in a home indicate a mature colony. Homeowners should contact a professional pest control expert to learn about solutions.
Termite Myths
Termites Are Attracted to Moisture
TRUE
Yes termites are attracted to moister and this creates a very high risk of termite infection.
Termites Only Live In Trees
False
Many species of termites build their nests in tree stumps or under patios and can travel over a hundred metres in search of a suitable food source to feed the colony. These ‘subterranean’ termites are generally the most harmful to manmade structures. They are difficult to detect, and are not often located until extensive damage has been done. There are also other species that predominantly live in trees these arboreal termites these termites have a nest that is clearly visible as a growth or dark lump on the tree they can be found in suburbs as well as parkland.
Termites Won’t Exist When Black Ants Are Around
False
Termites can exist by hiding them self from black ants by building mud tubes to conceal their presents from black ants sunlight and other predators.
We Don’t Need Termite Inspections
False
If you have a chemical or physical barrier you need to have a yearly inspection this protects your warranty (if you have one) and ensures that your property is free from termites and the damage they cause
Termites Won’t Eat Treated Timber
False
Termites under certain circumstance will consume treated timber .These timbers may have a high moister content which will create a significant problem or may not be treated right through the timber which means that the centre may not be treated.
Petrol or solvents will fix my problem
False
By pouring petrol or other solvents over
termites you will cause the colony to move elsewhere and make them harder to treat and only kill the termites that the solvent come in contact with.
My Home Insurance Will Cover Termite Damage
False
In Australia BILLIONS are spent on termite damage each year and none of it are covered by insurance Termite damage is your responsibility
Termites also known as white ants in the home can be very difficult to find until they’ve had a significant impact on a structure. It is not uncommon for termites to eat the wood away and leave the paint behind or a thin film of wood, so it almost becomes impossible to see the damage until it’s too late. Termites cause $100 million dollars worth of damage per year and one in four homes are attacked. It is important that you protect your most valuable asset as most people do not take any measures to prevent their property from being attacked.
Here are some measures to protect your home:
- Do not store firewood against your home or under the suspended floor
- Have inspections annually for termite (white ant) infestation
- Hardwood timber sleepers are an attraction to termites. Replace with treated timber
- Ensure that your vents are not blocked. They must allow airflow to keep area dry and less attractive to termites.
- Termites (white ants) are attracted to water so repair-leaking drains, showers, sinks, taps, water pipes, and capture water from air condition units.
- Use white ant and termite resistant timbers when you build new additions to your home such as decking, pergolas, home extensions, etc
- Do make sure that gutters, down spouts and drains take water well away from the house
- When selecting trees to plant take care, the wrong tree can damage your slab causing it to crack or damage your termite barrier
Gardening Practices that Encourage Termites to Attack Your Home
While out digging in your garden this spring, be aware that you might not be the only one excavating the soil under your feet. There could a subterranean termite nest nearby and you wouldn’t even know it—at least not until you do something that attracts their attention.
Termites are forever foraging in all directions looking for their next meal. In fact, even if a termite nest that is located three properties away, your gardening practices could still act as a dinner bell to a nest’s ever-roaming workers.
If you use gardening practices that provide both wood and moisture, your home could be on the brink of invasion. This guide discusses five gardening practices you should avoid because they invite termites to your home.
- Incorrectly Applying Mulch
Mulch comprised of woodchip or bark can attract foraging termites. When mulch is laid on the ground, not only does it provide food for termites, but it also creates a moist and humid environment. These are the ideal conditions for termites. As they travel through their tunnels under the soil, they sense moisture and heat. At short distances, they also detect decaying wood.
If mulch is placed up against the foundation of a home or any wooden structure, woodchip mulch will provide termites with a bridge that they can use to invade a home or building. Similarly, mulch also gives termites a safe crossing over chemically treated soil that the termites would otherwise not be able to cross.
By using woodchip that contains natural insect repellent, such as tea tree, and keeping mulch away from the permitter of your home, you can prevent a termite invasion.
- Planting in the Wrong Location
Plants or shrubs planted next to a home will have a similar effect to mulch. Once they grow large enough, the branches and leaves on plants and shrubs will come into contact with a home’s siding, providing termites easy access to that home.
Plants should be about 500 mm from the foundation. This stops termites from bypassing the chemical barrier while at the same time giving mature plants more sunlight. Larger shrubs and trees should be kept even further away from the foundations.
- Allowing Vines to Grow on Your Home
Vines and climbing plants should not be permitted to grow on the walls of your home. Tunneling termites will use the vines to access all areas of a building. The termites will be concealed in the shadow provided by the climbing vines.
- Using Wooden Borders to Edge Your Beds
Termites eat wood, so when Australian gardeners use wooden borders to landscape their gardens, they are inviting termites over for breakfast, dinner and lunch. Unfortunately, their home could end up as the dessert.
- Leaving Sprinklers Running Near Your Foundation
When sprinklers soak the ground around the foundation of a home, the ideal conditions are created for termite infestation. Termites require moisture and wood and if the soil around your home is drenched by your sprinklers, nearby termites will investigate.
The same goes for the walls of your home. Moisture-laden walls, especially timber walls, could bring a horde of termites to your home.
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PEST-ZAP specialises in the control of common domestic pests near Melbourne making your home safer for your family.