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Termites - How To Stop Problem Jobs Becoming Nightmares
By
All Guard Pest Control
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Termites have a very useful role within our environment, but when they invade and attack your home, they can become a hated enemy, a source of heartache and anxiety. Every problem has a solution, and there is no need for any job turning into a
nightmare. There are however, certain practices in the pest control industry that should be adopted for all inspections and
treatments, and some "dodgy" operators that should be avoided like the plague!
In Australia, one house in three at some stage will become affected by termites, which is more prevalent than damage caused
by fire, storm and flood combined. This article will examine how to prevent termite attack, methods of inspection,
protection, control and treatment.
Termite Control
Control of pest termites involves identifying the species, locating the nest and choosing the best eradication methods. A
combination of doing regular, competent building inspections in termite-prone areas, using naturally resistant or treated
timbers in buildings, and installing chemical and physical soil barriers around buildings is necessary to prevent further
problems.
Houses nearby may often have termite nests nearby in trees, stumps and underground but these may not contain pest species.
When they do, it should be the main focus of the termite control technician to locate and treat these areas before any
protection is implemented. Too often the technician will "advise" the worried homeowner that termites may be "anywhere
within 100 metres" of the property and its impossible to pinpoint exactly where they may be coming from.
In my opinion, if you don't even try to find out the origin of the problem, your chances of gaining control of the problem
dramatically drop. Even if the house is surrounded by dense bushland, I think it is definitely worth the time and expense of
test drilling and treating ALL trees and stumps surrounding the property within a 50-100 metre radius, because that is where
most infestations originate. If it means drilling 40-60 trees or investigating all surrounding homes, isn't that a lot
better than ignoring a possible source of infestation?
Most pest control companies will not go to this extra effort, and will try to convince the client that their baiting
technique or soil barrier system is designed to protect your home in all circumstances. DON'T BELIEVE THEM! Better
investigations and inspections lead to better termite protection and treatments. Its only common sense to take all effort to
find out the origin of the attack.
Termite Inspection of Pest Species
Termite identification in Sydney Australia is highly specialized and pest controllers need to thoroughly inspect all areas of
the property before any protection or treatment is begun. This may be conducted with the following equipment:
Torch with bright light.
This is essential and krypton bulbs give the best light for torches generally available today. LED torches, headlamps and
flashlights are the next generation inspection tools and should be used when they come onto the market.
A termite sounding donger
A fibreglass rod with a small plastic ball at the end. It is designed to run along skirting boards, higher placed timbers and
other exposed timbers. When it runs across termite infested timber the tone changes, indicating hollowed out timber.
A Moisture Meter
It is designed to pick up high moisture content in walls and timbers. Termites bring up moisture from the soil and into the
walls and timbers.
A Termatrac microwave tracking device
Termatrac is a breakthrough development in the building inspection detection of termites, invented and developed in Australia
using technology similar to radar, Termatrac is the exciting answer to detecting termites through timber, plaster board,
brick or masonry with no interference to the building material or termite activity. With no drilling, tapping or prodding,
Termatrac is the answer to termite detection without termite defection! With Termatrac, the pest professional enjoys the
advantage of accurate detection and customer peace of mind.
Stanley Knife & Tape
If termite infested timber is located, we may cut it with a Stanley knife and expose the interior of timber, identifying the
species of termites then seal it back up with tape so as not to disturb the termites.
Listening Device
This listens to sounds in the internal of the walls. However, if you tap the wall with your hand and put your ear up to the
wall you can head the soldier termites rubbing the mandibles together.
Home Inspection
A home inspection for termites is known in Sydney Australia as a building inspection and includes a pest report and a
building report. It involves a thorough visual inspection of the sub floor, roof void interior, exterior, and other areas of
the property. An average house takes anywhere from one to two hours to complete. Cost varies from $160-$360 depending on the
size of the house and access. This is including G.S.T.
The report consists of eleven pages and digital photos upon request. Please remember a termite inspection report is designed
to detect termites at an early stage as to reduce the amount of damage to your house. It does not stop termites. It is
strongly recommended a termite inspection report is carried out at least once every twelve months and every three to six
months for high risk areas.
Note: There is no household insurance that covers you for termite damage.
Termite Report
Essentially a termite building inspection report is designed to:
Detect old damage and active termites.
Gives you the element of risk of infestation.
Gives you tips on reducing the chances of termite infestation.
Gives us enough information to accurately quote you on a termite treatment and to use the most appropriate method.
Most importantly, educates you about termites.
Identifies species of termites.
Economically Important Pest Termites
Out of the 258 described termite species in Australia, only a few timber-damaging species are of concern to us. The five
families that include the most common pest species are:
Mastotermitidae (1 pest species - Giant Termite, Mastrotermes darwinensis)
Kalotermitidae (several pest species of 'dry-wood termites', including the introduced Cryptotermes brevis)
Termopsidae (1 pest species - Dampwood termite, Porotermes adamsoni)
Rhinotermitidae (7 pest species, including Coptotermes acinaciformes)
Termitidae (5 pest species, including Nasutitermes walkeri)
The Giant Termite (Mastotermes darwinensis) has the greatest potential for destruction. However, it is limited to the
tropical areas of northern Australia. It attacks any wood in contact with the ground including shrubs and trees, as well as
paper, leather, clothing and other materials. It is a large-bodied primitive species that usually forms small colonies and
has no true worker caste.
West Indian Dry-wood Termite
The introduced West Indian Dry-wood Termite (Cryptotermes brevis) is considered to be the world's worst termite pest as it
can eat even very small timber objects with few external signs of damage, can quickly take over from native termite species,
can survive in quite dry conditions, and is easily transported. If it is found, it should be reported to the relevant
government authority. It has been found in Brisbane and Sydney, as well as other areas on several occasions.
Most Destructive Species
However the most destructive species overall in Australia is Coptotermes acinaciformes. It is distributed throughout the
continent and uses tree stumps, living trees, spaces under buildings and even walls as nesting sites. From the nest site, any
wooden structure within a 100-metre radius can be attacked via underground tunnels. Although they usually need contact with
soil, some nests of this termite species have even been found several floors up in city buildings or on ferries.
A common species that nests in Sydney's coastal bushland is Nasutitermes walkeri. It forms distinctive round ball-shaped
nests that are especially abundant in the years following major bushfires (as it mainly nests in stressed trees). It can also
damage fences, poles and wood on the ground, but it rarely attacks buildings. This species has the largest soldiers (up to 6
mm long) of the Nasutitermes genus, with the characteristic nasute head.
High Risk Suburbs
Termite control in Sydney, Australia is particularly important in these high risk suburbs:
Castle Hill
Winston Hills
Dural
Baulkham Hills
Wahroonga
Frenchs Forest
Manly
Epping
Carlingford
Leichhardt
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