You never know when and where termites will be at your property. Termites have been around longer than us. They are silent, unnoticed 24/7 hard workers.
If you have a history of termite damage, it would be better to organise a timber pest inspection at least once a year.
Do not wait for too long. Make a booking now before it is too late. Contact Mountainwide Pest Control for a Timber pest inspection.
Termites are good for the environment and they are good at doing their job. They can transform rotten timber or crumbling trees into useful soil.
How do I Know if I Have Termites?
The first step in prevention is to be on the alert for termites. Termites rarely emerge from soil, mud tubes, or food sources through which they are tunnelling. Most people are not aware they have termites until they see a swarm or come across damage during construction. Some of the ways to discover if you have termites are listed below:
Examine, by probing, exposed wood for hollow spots (using a flathead screwdriver or similar tool).
Identify termite swarms (sometimes ant swarms are mistaken as termites).
Ants
front wings longer than the hind wings
antennae bent at ninety-degree angle
Termites
wings are roughly equal in length
antennae are straight; may droop
How Can I Prevent Termite Infestation?
Make the Structure Less Attractive to Termites
During construction use a concrete foundation and leave a ventilation space between the soil and wood. Cover exposed wood surfaces with a sealant or metal barrier.
Maintain termite prevention features:
After construction keep the soil around the foundations dry through proper grading and drainage (including maintenance of gutters and downpipes).
Reduce openings that offer termites access to the structure (filling cracks in cement foundations as well as around where utilities pass through the wall with cement, grout, or caulk).
Fix leaks immediately.
Keep vents free from blockage, including plants.
Ensure that trees and shrubs are not planted too close to the structure and do not allow them to grow against exposed wood surfaces.
Do not pile or store firewood or wood debris next to the house.
Inspect periodically to help ensure that termite colonies do not become established.
What are the Different Types of Termite Treatments?
Non-Chemical Treatments
Non-Chemical Treatments
Some ways to keep termites out do not involve the application of insecticides. For example:
One such method is a physical barrier, typically incorporated during construction.
Steel mesh and sands of particular sizes have been shown to perform effectively as physical barriers.
Biological control agents (nematodes and fungi) have demonstrated some success, particularly in laboratory settings.
Chemical Treatments
The pesticides used for the prevention or treatment of termite infestations are called termiticides and must demonstrate the ability to provide structural protection before we register them. In most cases, termiticide application can only be properly performed by a trained pest management professional.
Approved treatments include:
Liquid soil-applied termiticides by trenching or drilling.
Termite baits stations (chemical and non-chemical).
Building materials impregnated with termiticides.
Wood treatments.
Reticulation system
Two common forms of treatment are conventional barrier treatments and termite baits.
Conventional Barrier Treatments
The most common technique for treating termite infestations is the soil-applied barrier treatment. Termiticides used for barrier treatments must be specifically labelled for that use.
If conducted improperly, these treatments can cause contamination of the home and surrounding drinking water wells and will not protect against termites. For that reason, it is important to hire a pest management professional who is licensed and trained to take proper precautions. The most common active ingredients found in conventional termiticides are:
Bifenthrin
Cypermethrin
Fipronil.
Permethrin.
Do not wait for too long. Make a booking now before it is too late. Contact Mountainwide Pest Control for a Timber pest inspection.
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