Tips on Termite Management
Some simple precautions you can take to manage termite risk.
If you live in an area where termites are active (and most people do), you should take active steps to manage the situation. Termites are not just a problem for timber homes. Although they primarily feed on wood they can cause irreparable damage to a wide range of materials including paper, vinyl and fabric materials. In addition to destruction of building components including wallboards, stairs, door jambs and window reveals, cupboards, skirtings and the likes, termites often damage building contents such as furnishings, books and a wide range of stored goods. To assist you in minimising the termite risk to your property including personal goods and avoid the inconvenience you may suffer as a result of termite damage to your home, there are some steps you can take:
• Termites often enter buildings from the outside perimeter. The edge of the slab is where they can be most readily seen when they build their mud shelter tubes from the ground into the building. You should check this slab edge area or foundation walls at least fortnightly for termite shelter tubes. Sub-floor areas should be accessible and well ventilated. Every pier and link between the house and the ground should be checked for leads on all sides, as often as possible.
This is especially important if the structure is only protected by a passive physical barrier system such as stainless steel mesh, aluminium or other metal shielding (including ant caps) and graded stone barriers. Also included in these passive barriers are some chemical barriers that are held in a matrix such as Kordon (registered TM.) Passive barriers are not designed to kill termites, just to force them to track on the outside of the perimeter. If they succeed in this the barrier has been effective but it is all in vain if nobody looks for them.
• The outside perimeter (and underneath, if applicable) of the building should be kept clear of plants, stored goods, fill or any other objects or materials that could visually obscure the entry of termites to the building. Early detection is your best defence against potential damage.
• Do not allow any other person to carry out any alterations or additions to the building or adjoining soil, paths or attached structures without first checking with a well-respected termite professional.
• Check with a termite professional before attaching anything such as a pathway, fence or pergola to the building or other building attachments.
• Untreated timber should never be in contact with the ground. Remove any wood scraps, wood chip, dead stumps and untreated landscaping timber from within 50 metres of the building.
• Repair leaky shower stalls, dripping taps, overflowing gutters, downpipes, tanks, leaky plumbing as soon as it becomes evident. Hot water overflow and roof water waste should be away from structures.
• Gardens built next to protected structures work significantly against effective termite management and are not recommended. If you plan to remove such a garden please contact a termite professional as this action may interfere with an existing chemical barrier. DO NOT ADD ANY GARDENS NEXT TO THE BUILDING.
• Keep an eye out for any termite activity. In the event you see anything you suspect such as collapsing timber, stains, or mudding you should contact a termite professional immediately. Do not interfere with the suspected activity.
• Finally, despite your best efforts, termites have many clever ways of making hidden entry. A trained and experienced eye and a more detailed approach including the use of high tech tools can often detect either their hidden presence or structural or environmental developments that will assist or invite termite infestation. It is therefore most important that you have a thorough termite inspection of your building and the surrounds carried out by a qualified termite professional at least every year.
Your attention to all of these details is vitally important to the success of any Termite Management Program.
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