If only one word can describe the damage termites cause, it is "devastating". They feed on wood, paper, cardboard, and other cellulose material causing a big problem for property owners. Did you know that they can cause approximately $5 billion worth of damage every year? That’s nearly $500 per second, which is a lot of money!
The general rule of thumb for its prevention is to make sure that your property doesn't have any cracks or openings for them to get into your home.
If these insects have already infested your home, then it's best to call a professional pest control provider and have a building inspection to get rid of them. They have the equipment and experience you need to take care of any pest problem you might have. However, if you find an infestation, you should read our tips on how to get them out as soon as possible.
What are major signs of termite damage?
Most people believe that these insects live underground and only come out at night. This is not true. They are social insects that live in large colonies and like to be warm and humid. They live in the ground, but also live in trees, buildings and fences. A typical colony can contain thousands.
You can tell if you have these pests in your property if you see any of these signs: swarmers, discarded wings, hollow or blistering wood, frass, mud tubes, difficult-to-open doors and windows, head banging or chewing noises.
The damage they cause is a serious issue that should be dealt with immediately, as it can spread rapidly, ruining your home and your investment. Of course you could go about it the hard way and remove them yourself, but you can also choose to have a building inspection and hire a professional to deal with it for you.
Reasons for termite invasion
If you want to save your house from termite invasion, you should find all the reasons for their invasion. But how can you do that? How can you find all the reasons for termite invasion? First, you should check your home from the inside. There are many reasons for termite invasion, and you can find out all of them when looking inside your home. Examine the floor and the walls for any holes and cracks. Also, check the plumbing and the roof for any holes.
Next, you should check your home from the outside. The most common reasons for termite invasion include a broken or cracked foundation, poor drainage, and poor ventilation. Also, termites can invade your home through rotten wood. So, you should check your home from the outside to find any problems.
Ways to Remove Termites at Your Home
If you have found signs of these pests in your home, it's time to act! You don't want these little pests wreaking havoc on your living space. You need to get these nasty little creatures out of your home as soon as possible.
There are many ways to get them out of your home, but it’s not as easy as you might think. You can’t just hire a local pest control company to come in and get rid of the bugs. Before you do anything it's important to identify the type of termite you have.
There are three different types of termites found in Sydney. The first is the eastern subterranean, the second is the Formosan and the third is the dry wood. Each type has different habits and habitats, so you'll need to treat each appropriately. Let’s talk about each one.
1. Subterranean Termites
If these pests were found infesting your home, there are three methods you can do. The first method is the baiting method. This is one of the most popular and successful ways to eliminate these pests. They get attracted to the bait which contains specific odour that they like and which is the major reason why they get attracted to them. They feed on the bait and then take it back to their colony containing a toxic chemical which kills them and stops the termite infestation.
The second method is using chemicals to prevent them from entering your home and by making sure that your home is termite-proof. You can also make your house unattractive to termites by using repellent chemicals that you can find in the market.
If the infestation of your house is severe, then consider the third method, fumigating your home. Fumigation has the advantage of treating every part of your home and its structure at once. It is normally only advised when multiple colonies are discovered in a single structure.
Treatment for subterranean termites is completely different from treatment for drywood termites. If you have a problem with subterranean termites, you cannot use the same treatment for drywood termites. You also cannot use the treatment for drywood termites on subterranean termites.
2. Formosan Termites
Formosan termites are more aggressive and the most destructive termite species that most people have never even heard of. They are known for their massive colonies and the destruction they cause. They are very hard to control and normally require the services of a professional exterminator.
3. Drywood Termites
They thrive in dry woods and do not require soil contact. There are three methods to get rid of them. First is to remove and replace infested woods. If the wood can neither be replaced nor removed, try the second method.
The second method is to use chemicals such as termiticide, insecticides and fungicides. Drywood termites that ingest wood that has been treated with these chemicals will stop eating and die. It will also prevent new ones from infesting treated woods.
The third one is the fill-and-drill method. If the infested wood is painted or otherwise finished and cannot be removed, the drill-and-fill method can be used to treat drywood termites. To do this, you’ll need to drill 8 to 10 inch holes along and into infested wood until you hit the nesting area. Then, fill the holes with your preferred drywood termite insecticide, and finally close the holes.
Termite treatments are also classified by their active ingredients. For example, some treatment products contain one active ingredient, while other treatments contain two or more active ingredients, such as a termiticide and a pesticide. Just like using the wrong type of treatment, using the wrong type of active ingredient can cause secondary damage to your property and make the problem worse.
Why do you need to contact the professionals?
Having a termite problem can be very scary and stressful to deal with, especially if you are not prepared to deal with it properly. Many people choose to resolve the problem themselves and oftentimes, unfortunately, this leads to even more damage to their homes. The professionals are trained and experienced in identifying the termite problem and eliminating them as quickly as possible, but if you try to resolve it yourself, it could cost you your home.
Termites are hard to detect as they build their colony underground. They constantly dig tunnels and make mud walls to build their nests. Their tunnels can go from 3 inches to 6 feet deep. They are able to enter your home through small cracks and crevices in the foundation and walls. They are also able to squeeze through tiny holes, such as light fixtures, siding and doors. If you've noticed some of these creatures around your home or business, you have to have a pest inspection to get help immediately.
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