1. What do I do if I find Live Termites on my property?
If you find live termites on the property, DO NOT DISTURB THEM – Call 1300 552 234
- Do not disturb them
- Do not Spray them
- Just leave them
- If you have opened the damaged areas for eg – Door jamb, Skirting board or window sill, quickly grab some dark masking tape of any type and cover the opened areas ASAP. If you do not have any dark tape, cover the area with anything that will keep the termites in a dark area like cardboard, towel, or cloth, if you removed the wall lining replace it back. Need more information on Termite Treatments or now Call 1300 552 234
2. Can I treat termites myself? We seriously advise you do not.
The reason is an unlicensed person cannot purchase the correct chemicals nor do they have the license or expertise to treat live termites. The best chemicals available on the market to eliminate termite infestations are non repellent chemicals and baits used by licensed Termite technicians. Patience during the treatment process is required to ensure the chemical is carefully placed within the areas of live activity and with minimum disturbance as possible.
Termites will not die immediately, as they will go about their travels, they slowly transfer the chemical to each other, which in return will eliminate the colony over time. When a treatment has been carried out to an internal area of a property, a return visit is required in 3 weeks to check on the effectiveness of the treatment. If live termites are located, a further treatment is required.
A successful treatment may take more than one treatment and this maybe due to many factors like, prior disturbance of the termites before the treatment took place, the distance the nest is from the property, the size of the nest, the type of species and the time of year all play a part in the process of trying to eliminate a termite colony.
3. Why do I need a Building & Pest Inspection? I’ve been to the open home and all looks OK!!
The cost involved in obtaining a Presale or Pre Purchase Building and Pest inspection is worth every cent, as buying a property with Termites or structural damage is costly.
Homes are attacked by Termites every day, leaving homeowners financially stressed trying to repair the home back to their original state.
Selling the Home – The most devastating attacks seem to be homeowners selling their property. We all assume the property is OK to sell without an inspection, Common comment was made – “I have had a look around and all is good”. Let me tell you, it is more than likely never the case.
TPC has been completing Termite & Pre Purchase Timber Pest Inspections for 17 years and there is still no simple process to just taking a look around!! . None of our inspectors can just take a look around their own home, or just look around when you are at an open home, it's crazy to think this is an acceptable practice. A thorough inspection by a licensed inspector is required on every occasion using the correct tools indicated by AS4349.3 – 2010 and more to assist in the process.
Furthermore, If you are selling your home, thinking it is OK to wait for the purchaser to get a Building & Pest Inspection and deal with the results when it happens, could be the worst nightmare.
Leaving you gutted – Many purchasers simply walk away leaving the homeowner with a termite-damaged home.
We have seen massive damage lately, I’m talking about structural damage, wall framing, roof trusses, bearers and joists, and other areas, timber framing, architraves, windows sills, door jambs in bedrooms, bathrooms, lounge rooms and roof void damage that are all extremely expensive to repair.
Not only does the seller on most occasions lose the sale, they then spend a lot of money on Termite treatments and Termite damage repairs that tear into their long-term investment.
Selling the home, then repeat the cycle “are you serious” this is a massive job – Think of the money spent on selling a home when we take into account, the time selecting an agent, preparing the house for sale, advertising, cleaning, agents time and fees, & open homes just to name a few. It makes more sense to get your inspections in early and avoid the risks.
4. I am looking at protecting my home but I am confused?
Termite management programs/systems/products – “How Many are there” There are a massive amount of quality products on the market with different modes of action that lead to protecting/managing a home from termite ingress. Many home owners may feel a little overwhelmed by the options available and the process maybe just from obtaining too many proposals from too many pest control companies.
For this article we are referring to existing homes, Australian Standards, AS3660.2-2017. It is not just about the product on offer, it is about the method of construction used by the builder and the engineer when the home was built. Once the construction method is clearly understood options on termite management systems and their limitations can be provided. The decision making process becomes clearer for the home owners when they are fully informed on which system is the best for long term protection against a termite attack.
Few ideas here, that may even be confusing – If the home is an existing property you may have more than one option 1. Chemical barrier/ treated zone option or 2. An interception baiting system, but before we go too far …… Is your existing home built into a hill or partially under ground or split level ? If yes, revert to 2. An interception and baiting system option that is most likely to be the best plan of attack as chemical applications may be limited in protecting the home, unless major construction works are carried out.
If the property is built on a concrete slab there are options to install a Chemical Barrier or Treated Zone. Other alternatives being an interception and baiting system where construction makes Termite Barriers difficult or impossible to install.
Your choice of product – the products available to pest management technicians are endless, this adds to home owner confusion when selecting a product if too many options are provided. The ideal solution in product selection is where TPC comes into play as we select the best products that provide long-term value for property owners. Note: The most effective solution in choosing a product is placing trust in your pest technician as they should have the appropriate experience in products and construction allowing them to select the correct product that is best suited to your specific situation. Call our team of experts now to discuss more options on 1300 552234.
You can find more details here on systems offered by The Pest Company, Termidor and Exterra Interception and Baiting System.
The most important decision in the process is trusting your Pest Management company and the licensed installer. Trusting they install the system in accordance with AS3660.2-2017 Existing Buildings and AS3660.1-2014 New Construction.
Regardless of any of the above termite management systems mentioned, the homeowner obligation does not change, where Termite inspections and treatment of live termites found on the property are considered essential whether a barrier system is installed or not, failure to put in place such measures is likely to void any warranty.
Limitations of this article, The above-mentioned systems may not be suited for all properties, please ensure you engage a licensed professional to visit the property and from here they can provide the best practical solution.
Make a call now and reduce the risk 1300 552234 or contact us