Termite Management Australia
The Elements of Termite Management in Australia
In Australia there are over 350 species of termites, but only around twenty or so really cause any significant damage. The ones that do the most damage are the ones which live and have their primary nests underground and in the trunks of trees. Then then will build tunnels through the soil to buildings and the construct mud tubes up the foundations and into the house or building.
It is known that termites are able to travel for very long distances underground to get to buildings for food, up to 50m is not out of the question. The will also infest buildings in different property areas because, of course they don't know about property boundaries, but that is something to keep in mind as assessment is made in regard to potential damages.
It is also interesting to note that termites don't just like to infest timber houses, as houses with steel and all kinds of structural materials, with the incidence of infestation about the same no matter what kind of house it is. Termites don't always have to attack structural things either, as they like books, phone books, plasterboard. Plastics, clothing, artwork, insulation and many other items.
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The reason that termites like to come into houses is that there is usually a relatively good amount of food available, and there needs to be some sort of permanent moisture. Once they get in however, the size of their infestation won't reach damaging proportions until about 3 years, so they can go unnoticed by laypeople for quite a while.
One thing that homeowners and building managers can do right off is to check for any interior leaks such as roofing materials, leaking pipes and pipe fittings. Be sure that there are no areas on the outside of the house where water can pool and collect near the house.
It is always a good idea in Australia to have an assessment made of the possible risks that a property has prior to its purchase. Even after the purchase of the house, a good maintenance system should be put into place to thwart any new attacks that may be taking place.
You can gauge the landscape around your building to give further indication of the risk of termites viewing your house as dinner. If there are lots of mature trees, timbers nearby that are untreated, old rotting trees and similar items nearby, you chances for attack are increased.
Of course buildings that are built from resistant materials such as concrete, steel and treated wood are going to stand the test, but if there are other materials in and around the house, the termites will be attracted to those items.
Where you live in Australia also has a lot to do with the incidence of infestation, with the most Northern areas being most susceptible to infestation.
One aspect in all buildings that can be a game breaker for the termites is to have a sub-floor ventilation system, which will mitigate and limit moisture in the sub-flooring areas. This factor along with vulnerable areas being chemically treated will help to keep the pesky termites away from your property and moving somewhere else.
You should engage a knowledgeable and experience pest control firm to help you in the constant battle against these wily creatures, as they are very persistent, but we can be too.
With the help of professional pest control experts, it is possible to repel the termites and make your property very inhospitable to them. Many companies have ongoing plans of treatment where someone comes once a month to treat the areas and that seems to work very well.