Termite control in Melbourne is not just something that you should think about after termites have caused extensive damage to your home and property. As is the case in most situations, prevention is always better than cure – which is where getting a regular termite inspection in Melbourne comes in.

Keep on reading to find out more about termites as a household pest, termite inspections, and why it is important for you to schedule them regularly for the benefit of yourself and your household.

Identifying termites

Termites are often mistaken for ants as they look alike at first glance. In actual fact, termites are more closely related to cockroaches than ants. Like cockroaches, termites moult as they grow and feed on decaying plant material and wood, just like some species of cockroaches do.

Termites live in colonies that can contain anywhere between a few hundred to a million termites, depending on the species. Termites have separate body segments and six legs, with some termites owning wings, too. Termites go through the egg, nymph, and adult stages throughout their lifespan, with different termites in a colony taking on different roles. There is the termite queen which lays eggs, worker termites that care for the nymphs, and soldier termites that protect the colony.

Termites as a household pest

Unlike other household pests like rats or cockroaches, termites do not pose a direct health risk by being present in your home. Yes, some species of termites can bite and sting, and termites can lead to health risks in indirect ways such – as spreading wood particles that can lead to allergic reactions.

However, the biggest problems caused by termites are usually in terms of physical effects on property and financial damage. Termites cause up to billions in property damage in Australia every single year.

A colony of termites can cause widespread structural damage, feeding on the internal structures of your home and ultimately creating an unsafe living situation. Termites can create loose tiles, sagging ceilings, ruined floors, and holes in the drywall. They can also cause extensive water damage in your home by hollowing and weakening the walls.

Termite inspection as a method of prevention

Bearing in mind the type of damage that termites can wreak in your household, termite inspection can be viewed as a smart and effective method of termite protection in Melbourne. Termite inspection is when a team of skilled and experienced termite control professionals inspect your home or property for signs of termites and termite damage.

This can be done as part of a standard inspection for the building that you are currently living in, or as part of a pre-purchase procedure for home buyers who would like their potential property checked for signs of termites beforehand. During a termite inspection, the professionals will look at all accessible timbers in your floor, ceiling, landscaping, and more. The report will be detailed and comprehensive, accompanied with photographs and an explanation of the relevant findings.

If it turns out that you do have a termite problem on hand, then the termite control experts will recommend the best course of treatment to get rid of the pests. From bait traps to fumigation, reliable termite control professionals will always ensure that the treatment selected is child and pet friendly as well as suitable for the environment.

Termite prevention and aftercare

In addition to offering you solutions for termite treatment in Melbourne, a good termite exterminator will also supply you with helpful termite prevention and management solutions for afterwards. This includes tips like removing the source of food for termites, such as wood mulch, waste timber, cardboard boxes, or firewood stored near your home. Similarly, you should keep the perimeter of your house clear of plants and stored items to avoid clutter from accumulating.

Next, you should also try your best to reduce moisture within your home as termites are very attracted to moist and damp environments. Improve soil drainage systems by making sure your ground water flows away from your home, thus reducing the amount of moisture entering into your property. Ensure that your roof gutter and downpipes are working as they should, correctly discharging to the right stormwater drains. On top of that, make sure any leaks in the plumbing of your home are fixed immediately.

Schedule regular termite inspections

For maximum peace of mind and to catch any signs of termites before they turn into a full-blown, long-term infestation, you should schedule a professional termite inspection once every year. However, if the structure of your home or building is more susceptible to termite infestations, then it may be safer to get inspections scheduled more regularly.

Positive Pest Solutions is your termite expert of choice when it comes to professional termite inspections and treatment in Melbourne. With up to date knowledge of the industry and competitive prices, we have the expertise and level of service ready to solve all your pest related problems with ease. Contact us to find out more about what we can offer you today.

Termites are known as the silent destroyers, they live in colonies and their main source of food comes from dead or decaying wood and plant material, often the building blocks of our homes and businesses. Unfortunately, you may not be aware of the damage they are doing until it is too late, which is why it is important to be proactive and ensure regular termite inspection in Melbourne homes.

Signs of a termite infestation

It can be easy to confuse termites with ants, as they both live in large colonies, and both are brown insects with six legs and a segmented body. Termites have antennae similar to the ant, but theirs come straight out of the head section while an ants’ feelers bend at a right angle and they don’t demolish your home.

• Often the first sign of a termite infestation will be the sight of them swarming in the air.
• The timber in the property will become hollow or papery to the touch and wooden doors and window frames become harder to close as the wood warps.
• Signs of a powder residue, termite droppings will appear around the area of infestation which is a sure signal to seek termite treatment in Melbourne.

Treatments available and how long do they last?

There are a number of ways in which to remove termite colonies and treatments that are effective as well as being child and pet friendly. The companies who provide termite control in Melbourne are usually professionals, who will arrange for one of their experienced experts to be in touch and to discuss what pest infestation you are looking at and a survey to determine the best method of treatment.

• Bait traps

Sometimes, bait traps will be used in and around the areas where the termites are colonising. They contain a solution which acts as a lure to the insects and once inside, become covered with a chemical that when they return to the colony, will poison the other inhabitants. If they have got into very hard to reach areas of the property, sometimes the professionals will use a foam agent to kill the insects.

• Fumigation

Termite treatment usually lasts for five years, depending on the product used, soil treatment around the home can last between 5 – 8 years, while the baits last for around a year.

What is termite protection?

Termite protection in Melbourne usually include both regular inspections, treatment if required and follow up, plus preventative advice to prevent the termites from returning. Termites like damp conditions, so one of the things you can do to proactively discourage a colony is to check there are no leaking pipes, or droplets from air conditioner units that form pockets of moisture rich habitat. Make sure you regularly clear out gutters or standpipes to prevent overflow onto the ground below and check that your drainage system falls away from the property and not towards it.

You need to eliminate direct wood to ground contact as much as possible, and avoid storing timbers underneath the property. If you do have a wood store, keep it away from the home and raise it off the ground. You should be looking at around 6 inches gap between the ground and any timber decking or porches. If you cannot avoid wood touching the ground, review the use of treated timbers or termite resistant wood. One other point to consider is having a layer of sand replace the soil around the home as termites are not able to tunnel through sandy layers.

The area around the property should be kept clear of planting, or areas of storage where termites can get in and cause damage that you cannot see until it is too late. Other items that are attractive to termites should be removed and this includes old tea chests used for storage or cardboard boxes. The clearer the area, the better it will be to spot any potential infestation before these pesky insects cause irretrievable damage. Look out for other ways in which they can enter the home as well. This means checking out ventilation shafts and holes and ensuring they are covered with protective netting.

Having a regular check and inspection of both the external and internal perimeters of the home is the best way to ensure that you keep termites at bay. So, pick up the phone and book a termite inspection in Melbourne with Positive Pest Solutions today.