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Given free rein, termites can cause an incredible amount of damage to your home, but there are steps you can take to protect it. Making your home a less attractive target and scheduling regular inspections will keep these hungry little critters at bay.
PREVENTION
• Store wood and timber away from your house and keep it off the ground so it’s harder for the termites to find.
• Repair leaky pipes or taps, as termites love damp conditions. If your home has an enclosed area under the floor, install wall vents that allow air to circulate and remove dampness.
• If your home is built on concrete, don’t cover the slab edges with pavers or landscaping, as this allows termites to get into your home undetected.
INSPECTION
• Don a pair of overalls, grab a torch and head to the floor and roof cavities of your home. Poke the timber with a screwdriver, looking for areas hollowed out by termites, leaving the outside skin intact.
• Look for the mud tunnels which they use to go around bricks and metal parts of your home. If you find any, don’t disturb them, as they’ll be abandoned, making the termites more difficult to eradicate.
• Every year or so, have a professional pest inspection done, with costs starting from around $250. They know exactly what to look for and have a range of detectors that will find the termites you can’t see.
TREATMENT
You will need a professional pest controller to get rid of termites. They will set up a series of bait stations, which attract the insects. Once detected, the contractor applies a treatment that the termites quickly spread through the entire colony, destroying it. You can use the bait stations to monitor for any new attacks or have a chemical barrier sprayed around your home. Discuss with your pest controller which is the most suitable and cost-effective solution for your situation.
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