Termite Management

It is important to understand that properly installed and maintained termite management systems (these are installed as part of the building process for new structures and renovations) impede and discourage termite entry into buildings. They do not prevent termite attack. Homeowners should know or find out what type of termite management system has been installed in their home – chemical or physical (e.g. concrete slabs, exposed slab edge, metal shielding, stainless steel mesh or graded stone) – or if termite resistant materials have been used. Generally, physical barriers are designed to last for the lifetime of the building. Chemical barriers, on the other hand, have a limited life and therefore require a higher degree of maintenance and replenishment. Termite management is required from below and around the perimeter of the building. The Building Code of Australia (BCA) requires that a notice be placed on the building which describes the type of termite management system installed, the date of installation, and, in the case of chemical barriers, the life expectancy of the barrier. This notice is usually installed in the electrical meter box.	Read about the Exterra Termite Management System

TERMITE MANAGEMENT - How to Reduce the Risks - The DO's and DON'Ts

Proper, regular maintenance of the termite management system is essential to minimise the opportunity for termite attack. It is very important that regular inspections be carried out to your home for early detection of termite activity. This will minimize building damage and expensive building repairs in the future. It is recommended by the Australian Standards that termite inspections be carried out at least annually and more regularly in high risk situations. Contact us now to have an inspection carried out to Australian Standards by our licensed and experienced termite consultants.

In addition to these regular, professional termite management inspections, owner vigilance including occasional checks, is important.

Homeowners need to be careful not to compromise any chemical treatment or disturb a physical barrier which has been installed in their home. The most frequent cause of termite infestation is where a perimeter barrier has been breached thus rendering it ineffective. It is important not to disturb this protection. Some common practices which may increase the risk of termite problems include:

Special care should be taken to protect the 'weep holes' (vertical joints between bricks close to ground level that are left open to allow any moisture to escape outside the house). 100mm clearance is recommended from the bottom of any weep hole to the top of the garden bed, or 75mm clearance in the case of concrete or unit paving.

IDENTIFICATION – How to find out if you've got a problem

Inside the house: In particular, check areas such as skirting boards, architraves, and timber door and window frames. Look for blistered and bubbled paint, rippled or bulging wall linings, skirting and architraves, and coarse, sandy pellet residues known as 'frass' (termite excreta).

Outside the house: Check for mud galleries (small mud tunnels) against the walls, and tell-tale paths leading up the foundation posts into the home. If you have any doubts or concerns about termite activity, arrange an inspection by a licensed pest control professional.

DEALING WITH TERMITES - Who to contact and what to do

There are about 20 species of termites in Australia that are of economic importance in buildings. Most of the species of termites that damage timber in Australia are Subterranean Termites. The most destructive species are Mastotermes Darwiniensis, Coptotermes species and Schedorhinotermes species. Many tree-nesting and mound building termites found in urban areas do not infest sound seasoned timbers. Destruction of these nests does not protect the buildings from attack from other colonies and species.

Subterranean termites usually nest in the ground from which they build mud tubes over walls or piers (or any object in their way) to attack a structure from below. Termites inside a building usually need to maintain contact with the soil for moisture and with the main nest. If there is a permanent source of moisture available for the termites within the building (e.g. leaking plumbing, leaking hot water service outlet or leaking sprinklers too close to the building), it may not be necessary for the termites to have contact with the nest and soil. It is then possible that a nest can be established inside the building. Bathrooms and laundries are common places for termite infestations.

If infested firewood or other material is brought into the house, subterranean termites can not form a nest as the connection with the
main nest is broken.

Winged (flying) termites entering a building do not generally result in nest establishment because moist and decayed timber is
not usually available.

Signs of termite entry you should look out for:

Termite entry can occur at the slab edge, through cracks, joints and imperfections in the concrete or around service pipes.

Places to look for termite mud tubes (tubes built from dirt and other materials) or termite damage include piers or stumps, subfloor area, foundations, skirting boards, architraves, cornices, mouldings and roof timbers.

Watch out for these mud tubes in and around your house.

Other things to watch out for are soft floor boards, bulging, staining or rippling of painted timbers. Termite damaged wood has a hollowed out sound when tapped, which will often indicate termite damage. Bits of dried mud and frass may fall from joints in walls when tapped, which can also indicate termite damage.

Some species of termites can make a 'clicking' noise which is usually heard at night time.

Precautions you can take to help prevent termite infestation: