Termites are a common pest in homes all over Australia. These pests can cause major structural damage to your home, and they often go undetected until it is too late. However, with the help of a timber pest inspection in Sydney or elsewhere, you can protect your home from termites and other pests that may be lurking inside.
Termites come from a family of social insects known as Isoptera. They are found all over the world in every type of climate from hot and dry to cool and wet. Termites can be identified by their long antennae, which they use for locating food sources that are up to 60 meters away; their narrow waist, which helps them to bore through wood with ease; a soft-ridged abdomen protecting its delicate gut region; six little pairs of legs on each side of its body, two mandibles at either end used for chewing and four wings helping it fly off into the air if danger approaches
Termites feed on wood by chewing through it using their strong jaws. They will eat anything made out of wood including furniture, decks, fences and even houses! The different types of termite found in Australia include:
- Subterranean Termites – these are the most destructive type as they live underground and spend only about 20% of their time above ground;
- Drywood Termites – these don't require any contact with water to survive and are the most common type of termite found in Australia;
- Dampwood Termites – these live inside wood that is constantly wet for a long period, such as hollow trees. They never actually eat through the wood themselves but instead feed on fungus growing within it;
- Timber Termite Infestation – timber pests will infest your home if you don't have regular pest inspections carried out by an expert. These are insects which include ants, beetles and moths.
It is not always easy to identify a termite infestation, which is why a timber pest inspection or a home inspection in Sydney where they check for such pests is a vital step in the process. Pest inspectors will be able to identify tell-tale signs of an infestation, such as damaged wood and damage on or around windowsills, doors and roofs. Mud tubes built by subterranean termites along foundation walls near ground level and termite swarms during mating season are also clues that indicate an infestation. So, if you see swarms of flying ants around your home then they may be looking for mates which indicates possible activity inside your house.
Pests are often found near termite nests so they can forage nearby when the food sources in their nest run out. They may also come from outdoor items brought into homes that have been affected by pests outside
So, how do you prevent a termite infestation in your home?
You can easily prevent a termite infestation in your home by following these steps:
- Inspect any furniture you buy before bringing it into the house.
- Ensure there are no cracks or gaps where water can enter and cause damage, such as around windows, doors and roofline.
- Trim trees away from the house to reduce moisture content.
- Make sure gutters are draining properly.
- Install metal flashing on chimneys that meet with a masonry wall because this is one of the most common areas for pests to gain access through when constructing their nests inside cavities – so long as they have not been treated correctly (with cement). If possible install a brick liner instead but if you cannot then make sure the mortar joints between bricks are tight enough to prevent pests from entering in.
- Install mesh screens over vents to prevent wasps and bees from entering. This is particularly important in the summer when these insects are more active.
- Remove any bird nests or other debris that can accumulate on outside eaves, rooflines and gutters because this provides egg laying sites for pests.
How do you get rid of termites if you already have them in your home?
If you find that you have termites in your home through a timber pest inspection or a home inspection in Sydney, then the best way to get rid of them is by calling a pest controller. Termites are not easy to get rid of yourself, they destroy the building materials and framing members of your home or business in order to reach food sources that may be too far away for them to access on their own.
A regular timber pest inspection can help you catch potential signs of a problem before it becomes too costly and destructive. If you don't have an annual timber pest inspection, then this is where to start looking for the tell-tale signs that termites are in your home or business.
