Experts in Pest Control – Your Allies in the War against Termites

While there are 350 species of termites that can be found in Australia, only 10 of these accounts for 99 percent of the total damage done to households and commercial structures. While others prefer to feast on damp and rotting materials like trees and leaves, these 10 attack structures and feast on the wood found in homes and other structures.

According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, almost all structures in Australia have a moderate to high risk of termite attacks — with the exception of areas along the Great Ocean Road and Tasmania which have low to very low risks.

It is also worthwhile to note that there are several crucial factors that make a structure more vulnerable to termites. For example, the closer your house is to the ground, the more vulnerable it is to an attack. Also, if the exterior soil level in your property is higher than the slab level, the risk is considerably higher. Another risk factor is having a structure built on a steep sloping block as soil movement makes it easier for termites to gain entry and access into a home or building. Termites can also easily gain entry into a structure if there are more alternations or extensions within a house. Moisture increases the risk of termite attacks as well, and as such, you may want to invest in subfloor ventilation.

Apart from subfloor ventilation, there are several strategies that property owners can implement to reduce their vulnerability to termites. One of these is enlisting the aid of pest control experts for property inspection. It is also highly advisable to remove untreated wood from the property. To prevent unnecessary moisture, property owners are advised to correct any plumbing and drainage issues in their homes or buildings. Homeowners should also make sure that external levels are below damp course levels.

While gardens and lawns can increase the value of a property, they can also increase its vulnerability to termite attacks. As such, it is recommended to keep vines and plants away from the main structure and avoid the use of timber fencers, gates and similar structures. Reticulation systems should be properly designed and installed such that no water sprays the main structure.

If you do detect the presence of termites, resist the temptation to spray insecticide on these as they will simply transfer to another location in the house. If you can, try to collect a few samples and place them in a jar with water or spirits. Cover the area where you have seen them, or in the case of termites found in doors and windows, seal edges with paper and tape to prevent them from moving to other parts of the house. Finally, call in an expert in pest control.

About the author: Kenneth Lawrence is a “Handyman” and a writer. He writes about home renovation, kitchen improvement, fixtures and furnishings, gardening, interior designing, DIY projects and other topics that can help homeowners. As of now, he visits www.assassinpestcontrol.com.au to know more about pest control services.

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