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.
