Everything You Need To Know About Termites

Termites, or white ants, are the natural enemies of any home or structure and are one of the most destructive pests in Australia. Every year, termites cause millions of dollars of damage to homes, businesses, and other buildings in Melbourne. Often, however, termites go undetected until they have caused so much damage that households will have to be evacuated or undergo large-scale renovations.

Spotting A Termite Infestation

It is highly essential to know what to look for around your home so that you can stop termites in their track with a termite treatment as soon as possible. Some signs that you may have a termite infestation are:

1. Hollow Timber: Termites will usually eat wood from the inside out, so timber in and around your home may be hollow. You will notice this if your vacuum cleaner easily damages the skirting boards around your house while you are cleaning.
2. Bubbling Or Wrinkled Timber: If you notice timber in or around your home has a bubbled look on the surface, this could be a sign of termites. Termites will sometimes eat wood and replace the space with mud, often creating a textured look in the paint on your timber or wood.
3. Termite Leads, Or Trails: Termites often leave trails of tiny brown straws when traveling from place to place. The leads will usually be made up of mud and cellulose, and the termites will move inside them. If you notice termite leads in or around your home, there is a high chance you may have an infestation.
4. Your Flooring Feels Soft: If your flooring feels more delicate than usual or somewhat bouncy, this could be a sign that termites have begun eating the flooring boards beneath your carpet or other floor covering.
5. You Spot Alates: Between October and March is the regular termite breeding season, so you may spot what appears to be a large swarm of flying ants traveling around on a warm evening. This could be a sign that you have a termite problem.

What To Do When You Find Termites

If you find termites, it can be tempting to destroy their nest, start spraying poison, and tackle the problem by yourself. However, it is important to leave everything as it is and call a professional in termite management. If you leave everything as is, there is a higher chance a professional will be able to treat the termites effectively and minimize damage to your home. If you try to treat termites yourself, the termites will likely relocate to a different part of your home, and the cycle will continue. Suppose you uncover a nest of termites or are informed by a professional that you have a termite infestation. In that case, it is integral to notify neighbors and your local council. Termites will usually build colonies with multiple nests within a 50-meter radius, meaning if you have found termites, it is likely that other structures around yours will also have an infestation.

Preventing Termites

There are a few precautions you can take to minimize your chances of having a termite infestation:

1. Find a trusted termite management business and have them conduct regular treatments and inspections of your home or business.
2. Avoid leaving spare or leftover timber in and around your home, particularly underneath or outside.
3. Ensure excellent ventilation in your home by keeping vents clear and clean at all times. This includes making sure your garden beds are not blocking ground-level vents, as this may conceal areas that termites will enter through.
4. When building or renovating, consider using termite-resistant timber or materials that do not contain wood. It is recommended that you do not use timber for building retaining walls; instead, use brick or other materials.
5. If you have a timber verandah or deck, keep it clean with regular tidying, and check the wood on all sides, especially where it connects to your home and the ground.
6. Monitor any drainage, as termites can be attracted to damp or moist areas. Be wary of any leaks or spills in and around your home, and clean them up promptly.

By looking after your home well and keeping an eye out for signs of termites, you may be able to avoid termite infestation or at least prevent it from doing mass damage to your home. By staying on top of treatments and inspections, as well as conducting self-examinations in your home often, you will give yourself the best chance of stopping a termite infestation before it escalates to a big, expensive mess.