As tiny and seemingly insignificant as they may seem, termites can pose one of the biggest possible threats to your home. Termites cause billions of dollars' worth of structural damage every year. And most often, when you begin noticing signs of termites inhabiting your property, there will already have been extensive damage done to your house.
In order to protect your home from these insects, you need to actively confirm the infestation, prevent further attacks and damage, and apply measures to effectively eliminate the creatures once and for all. Here are some key points to keep in mind.
Identification
Your first step would be to identify if termites are indeed the root cause of the damage to your property. Here are specific things to look out for:
· Mud tubes and tunnels with the creamy-white insects inside
· Hollow spots in wooden structures (you can check for these by tapping the wood gently and inspecting for small droppings
· Swarms of the insects, or discarded wings (termites shed their wings during the reproductive stage; remember that termites have wings of approximately the same size and shape, while ants have front wings larger than their back wings)
· Check fuse boxes and electrical metres for signs of termites
Treatment
There are sprays and baits that homeowners can use for DIY termite extermination, but because the integrity of your house is at stake (and because harmful chemicals must be handled during the extermination process), it's best to leave the task up to professionals to ensure a thorough and more effective job.
There are different methods for eliminating termites:
Liquid treatments
· Treating the soil surrounding the house
· Spraying liquid termite treatment or placing termite baits around the affected areas
· Applying borite treatment on wood surfaces
Non-liquid treatments
· Applying foam agents
· Injecting dust agents
Prevention of re-infestation
To keep termites from returning to a treated home, there are a number of measures that homeowners can put into place:
· Eliminate dampness and moisture in and around the home by installing vents to improve airflow and promote dryness.
· Get rid of stagnant water all throughout the property. Check for plumbing leakages and dripping faucets, and regularly clean gutters to prevent water buildup.
· Slope all exteriors away from wooden structures to enable good drainage.
· Avoid stacking firewood and wooden scraps and debris around the house.
· Maintain sufficient space between the ground and any wooden patios, porches and decks.
· Use a weather sealer on all wooden items exposed to moisture.
· Regularly prune any plants growing close to the home.
· Use termite-resistant or pre-treated wood in areas that require wooden structures.
· Reduce the number of wooden furnishings within the house to prevent future termite attacks.
If you need help from the experts, contact the top pest control professionals in Australia today.