How we identify different types of Termites at a home
Termites in SE QLD are well known for causing significant damage to homes. These pests can go unnoticed for months while they damage timbers in a home. It’s important to know that this type of damage is not covered under home insurance in most cases.
An annual termite inspection is an Australian Standard and the best way to locate any termite activity and stop these pests from damaging a home.
How termites are identified at a home
Termites’ appearance is as a small white to yellow colour insect, somewhat ant-like looking and also known as White Ants. Termites share no relation with ants at all, to add more confusion termites are of the same family order as cockroaches..
Our trained technicians can identify termites in a few different ways. The location and or colour of the nest, identifying termites by damage done, different types of termites will damage timber in different ways, some termites will leave fecal pellets but probably the most common way we identify termites is by identifying the caste of soldiers in the colony. In each species of termites, soldiers have their own distinctive head shapes, some pear-shaped, some long and cylindrical, some are pointed and some large and bulb like.
Signs of termite activity can include mudding on fences, air conditioner water drains, footings under the home and internal areas of the home including skirting boards and walls.
If we find active termites at a home, we will advise you of the options to treat termites and remove them from your property.
How to treat for termites
We start with an inspection of the home using timber sounding devices, moisture meters and a radar device that can scan walls, door frames, window frames. If we find termites in the structure we will then decide depending on how the termites have entered the home the best way to treat them.
The first stage of treatment can involve baiting, foaming or dusting treatment methods. Once termites have been eradicated from the home structure we will recommend installing a Termite Chemical Zone or Termite Baiting System around the perimeter of the structure previously known as Termite Barriers. Depending on the construction methods of your home, this will determine what will be the most suitable system.
DIY tips to reduce termites at your home
The following tips will help reduce the likelihood of termites establishing themselves at your home:
- Keep garden beds, shrubs, trees or bark away from the walls of your property.
- Don’t stack loose timber against or under your home or in the yard.
- Don’t leave objects leaning against the walls of the home that also touch the ground.
- Don’t place grass clippings around trees.
- Stored wood should be kept off the ground so you can see the mud trails left by the termites if they attack the timber.
- Remove old tree stumps from your yard, grind the stump down.
- Report any suspected termite activity in fences and trees around your home to us straight away
- If you have a brick home, make sure the gaps (also called weep holes) between the bricks and the concrete slab are open to allow any moisture to get out.
- Fix any leaking hose taps.
- Book a termite inspection today
Arrange a termite inspection today.
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