Protect Your Home From Termites
When it comes to termite protection, second chances are hard to come by. Once your house gets infested, the damage is already done . This means you will now have to spend a lot of money on repairs as well. In order to prevent this, you might want to consider termite protection – especially if you are in a high-risk area. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and the right protection at the right moment can save your home.
4 Types of Termite Protection
Each state has its own termite regulations, having to follow the Australian Standard 3660.1 – 2014 Termite Management for new and old buildings. The regulations vary from state to state. Each one requiring different licenses. Also, different termite barriers will be used depending on the area. The humidity levels and termite risks will allow professional pest controllers to choose the appropriate protection for your home.
Termite protection comes in various forms, depending on what you need for your house. So, you may choose one or more of the following:
1. Physical Barriers
Physical barriers are installed in the pre-construction stage of the house. These barriers are polymer sheets installed on the perimeter of your home – sheets that are often laced with termiticide. This will physically prevent the termites from passing through, but it will also repel them from coming any closer.
2. Chemical Barriers
Chemical barriers are exactly what their name sounds like: a chemical applied to the soil around your house. They can be added pre-construction in the form of termite reticulation systems (a series of pipes that deliver termiticide) or post-construction, by adding the termiticide in trenches.
Termites are either repelled by the termiticide, or they are killed upon contact with the chemical. Most termiticides work through something called “the transfer effect”. It is carried from one termite to another, preventing them from moulting when their time comes.
3. Termite Baiting Systems
Termite baiting systems are used on homes that are a high termite risk. Their main purpose is to monitor termite activity. The baits are set at a fair distance from the house in your yard, but not far enough for the termites to miss them. The cellulose bait is several times more attractive to termites than regular timber, causing them to stop their advance and feed from the bait.
The first bait placed is non-toxic and is meant simply for monitoring termite activity. Once termite activity has been confirmed, the non-toxic bait will be switched with one laced with termiticide, made to kill the colony. Termites cannot sense the termiticide, which means they will bring the poison right back to their colony and the queen.
4. Live Spraying
Live spraying kills active colonies inside your homes, stopping a current infestation. This type of treatment has to be applied before installing a physical/chemical barrier or termite baiting system. Otherwise, it will just trap the termites inside. Live spraying will protect your home from further destruction.
Why Termite Defense Works
An average of 1 in 3 homes falls prey to termite attacks in Australia, and this happens because they did not have termite protection. Many regions in Australia have high humidity, which creates the perfect environment for termites. Plus, considering that 73% of the residential buildings were built on timber structure. It makes them the main target for termites.
Termite protection creates a barrier for these structures. Depending on the type of barrier chosen, they will either physically deter the termites from coming in, or they will kill the termites that come in contact with the barrier. Most chemical barriers are made from a termiticide that prevents termites from moulting. This means the termites will die before they even have a chance to infest.
Signs of Termite Activity in Your Home
When you notice indicators of termite activity, you know you have a serious problem. At that point, you need to call pest control so that they may apply live termite spraying. Caught at the right moment, you may yet salvage your home. These are the signs you should look for:
- Mud Tubing: Often seen at the side of the building. Termites used underground termite trails as a pathway.
- Patches of Sawdust: Termite droppings have an appearance that is similar to sawdust. If you see these types of tiny pellets in your home, it might indicate termites.
- Ceiling or Floor Damage: If your floors or ceilings are sagging, blistering, or cracking more than usual, then it’s likely you have a termite problem.
- Hollow Wood Sound: Termites dig tunnels in the wood so that they can travel through your home. If you knock on your timber structure and notice hollow sounds, you may have a termite problem.
- Discarded Wings and Skins: Termites use their wings when moving their colony from one place to another and discard them when they moult. If you see them, it might be a sign that a colony moved in.
If you see any of these signs, it is recommended you contact a pest controller right away. They can remove the termites before they deal any more damage. Plus, they can help protect your home in the long run as well.
Costs of Termite Protection
Termite protection costs between $2000 and $4000. This will depend on the size of your home and the type of termite protection that you choose. Baiting systems, for example, will also require monitoring and maintenance, which can increase the price.
Conclusion
Termite protection should never be left for the last minute. As termites are the silent killers of the home, it’s much better to protect your house rather than regret it. You might want to schedule a termite inspection first. This is to see exactly what kind of termite protection you should start with.