How to reduce the risk of termite infestation

Termite damage can cause significant damage to your home, resulting in expensive termite removal costs as well as the costs of rebuilding the parts of your home where the termite infestation has occurred. To help you avoid such a costly termite infestation this article addresses two important aspects of termite management. Firstly, we guide you to where to look for termites. Secondly, we provide tips of reducing the risk of termite infestation. A word of warning, put on your overalls as much of the termite inspection process involves getting down and dirty in places such as underneath your home.

Where to look for Termites

Using a powerful light or torch you should carefully inspect sub-floor walls and framing beneath the house for termites. Termites commonly conceal their termite galleries in brick joints making their way up into your homes floor in a zig zag direction. To find termites in your home:

1. Search underneath your home, searching around stumps, foundations and brick joints in the base walls of your home.
2. Closely inspect all timber framing under the floors. Use a sharp tool such as a screwdriver to poke areas that look suspect or crinkly from possible termite activity.
3. On the outside of your home inspect all brick joints and weep holes at ground level.
4. Enter your homes ceiling or attic and check all timber.
5. Look at all painted windows, door jambs and wall mouldings searching for the telltale signs of termites such as crinkly paint surfaces.

How to reduce the risk of termite infestation

Of course prevention is much better than cure when it comes to termite infestation. If after inspecting your home thoroughly you have identified that you do not have termites, then you should act to reduce the risk of termite infestation into the future. To minimise the risk of termites in the home you can:

1. Remove debris from underneath your home, particularly wood and timber.
2. Ensure that the exterior walls do not have earth, wood or bark chips nearby.
3. Fix leaking pipes and make sure that the area underneath your floors is dry and well ventilated. Wet and humid areas encourage termites.
4. Use termite resistant timbers when you build new additions to your home such as decking, pergolas, home extensions, etc.
5. You can hire pest controllers to apply termite baiting systems. Also, ask professional pest controllers for additional tips and procedures for minimising the risk of termite infestation.