The importance of Termite inspections and How Often Should You Have Your Home Inspected for Termites?

We all know that termites cause massive amounts of damage to homes and timber structures in Australia. The most amazing thing is most people don’t give them a second thought until they have a run in with them. Insurance companies do not cover you for damage caused by termites so it is extremely important to protect your home. Also known as white ants these timber destroying pests cause over a billion dollars of damage to homes and businesses annually. Unfortunately most of us are reactive when it come to termites. Our office receives calls with people freaking out when they find termites in their home. Its usually a door has fallen off, they have put their vacuum cleaner through their skirting boards and one had their tv fall off the wall.

The importance of Termite inspections

Termites are social insects that live in ever expanding colonies. Their colonies can become very large very quickly with the queen laying 5000 plus eggs a day and can cause serious damage to your home very quickly. They need a lot of food to feed the ever growing colony. Termites food of choice is anything with cellulose in it. Cellulose is in timber, paper, cardboard, plastic, rubber cotton and all plant matter . It’s estimated that one in three houses in Brisbane is under attack by termites at any given time. From experience there are termites present in almost all properties especially around the yard in landscaping timbers and fences etc. So it is extremely important to do what you can to protect your home.

The importance of termite inspections

If you are living in South East Queensland, it’s essential to regularly check for signs of termites as nests can form quickly and grow to a large size without being noticed. Regular  termite inspections can save you from a lot of trouble and expense. Regular Inspections is only a small part of the solution. Other things to protect your home is a good termite barrier and making sure it is always up to date. Other things are keeping your home free of moisture as termites need plenty to survive. So if you have poor drainage, open over flows, leaky gutters and downpipes, gardens and mulch against your house you are basically inviting them in for dinner. Regular maintenance is the key, make sure you repair any leaks, connect overflows to drainage and keep your gutters clean free of debris.

Termite attacks

You may not be able to notice a termite attack until it is too late and is very obvious. At this point, a significant amount of damage could have been done to your home. Here are some signs that you should look out for:

• A lot of Discarded wings and flying termites around window sills and around the inside of your home.
• Cracks and bubbling in paintwork on your skirtings, window sills and architraves.
•  mud tubes on walls or any part of the house, landscaping timbers and fencing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Termites eat through wood and hollow it out from the inside, so you can’t usually detect termites until it is too late. What you can do is tap the wood around your home on a regular basis.  If it sounds hollow, then termites have more than likely found their way inside. If you have found any of these signs you should call in a professional inspection company Immediately. It is also important to not disturb them so we can treat them. Certified Home inspections offers one of the most thorough termite and Building and pest inspections on the market.

 

The advantages of a professional Home inspection

Termites can go undiscovered in your home for a long time unless you are aware of signs to look for. That’s why having regular termite inspection every 12 months or more is the best way to protect your family home or investment. Also when buying your new dream home it is very important to get a Building and pest inspection done.

Termite inspectors will look for signs of Termite activity and borers that destroy wood. Areas that are inspected is all external and internal parts of the home and property. Other things to look for is timber rot which causes a lot of damage to homes and the main cause is moisture.  Termites love moisture, so an inspector will look closely around wet areas of your home especially bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. Poor ventilation in these areas can increase the chances of termite attack. Your roof void and subfloor (Crawl Space) should also be inspected for termites. Subfloors are an ideal place for termites as people seldom go in there and the environment is perfect for them a it is dark and moist.

The importance of Termite inspections

Termites are by nature secretive and avoid bright light and open air and remain hidden. They can usually be found either in their nest or travelling in the mud tubes they build to connect the nest with their food sources. These galleries maintain their moist warm conditions and protect them from predators. Did you know that a poor drainage systems and direct contact of timber structures with the earth increases the risk of termite infestation? This is why you shouldn’t leave piles of timber close to your house as that will attract them.

An Inspection of your property once a year may be ok in areas where the termite pressure is low. However, it is strongly recommended that your property be inspected for termites at least twice a year in higher risk areas such as Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich. If you inspect your home less frequently, like once every two years or more you might be in strife as termites can cause a massive amount of damage in that time.

The Importance of termite inspections.

If you are buying a home or own a home in South East Queensland it is essential you are proactive when it comes to termites.

To Book your inspection just call our office on 0732008586 or freephone tel:1800 862 683