Termite Risk Management: Is your Home at Risk?

Unlike in cartoons where termites devour timber logs in a flash, in reality, it’s a gradual process, hard to detect and can cause devastating consequences. There are numerous variables regarding how long it takes for termites to destroy your home. Examples of these include the amount of moisture and warmth available and the age of the colony. A new colony may consist of approximately 100,000 workers, whereas an older colony can have over 2 million termites. With 2 million termites working in the right conditions, your home could be destroyed entirely in approximately two years. 

With over 300 species of termites in Australia, your home is not the place you want termites to be. It is essential to know how to identify risks of infestations, prevent damage and take a proactive approach to termite risk management.

Conducive Conditions for Termite Infestations

Like other pests, termites require conducive conditions to thrive. If your property consists of the below conditions, you may be more prone to the risk of a termite infestation. 

• Moisture collecting around the house - could be caused by a variety of reasons, including pipes leaking or water not flowing into drainage correctly. 
• Contact between wooden structures and the ground - includes wooden fences in soil or wooden decks in the backyard.
• Excessive cellulose debris - includes firewood logs or construction lumber left against the property.
• Plants too close to the house - this traps moisture around the building creating favourable conditions for termites.

The safest way to go about termites is not to let them get to the stage of home infestation and identify it in its early stages. If you want to know more about how to identify termites or signs of termite infestations, read our blog “7 Signs you might have termites.”

Termite Risk Management Procedures

Professional termite protection is a smart move and recommended for all property owners, but you can also take some preventive actions regarding termite risk management.

• Ensure drainage around the property is working correctly to allow the soil surrounding the house to remain dry.
• Close off termites entry points to the building structure using sealant and metal barriers over wooden surfaces. 
• Repair any leaks immediately
• Clear out any vegetation growing up against the house or near exposed wood. 
• Regularly have a termite inspection conducted to ensure that no colonies have started.

Building or Designing a New Home

When designing or building a new home, you can ensure termites do not penetrate your home by using termite proof materials like concrete, termite resistant timber or steel frames.  Alternatively, physical or chemical barriers can protect building structures from termites.

Purchasing Property

When purchasing a new property, we highly recommend you undergo a professional termite inspection. After the inspection, a detailed report will be provided stating all termite-related issues and available termite management systems.

Worried about termites damaging your home?

Rentokil’s specialist technicians are experts in looking for signs of termites around your home and have various types of technology to detect them when there are no visible signs. These include moisture sensors, heat sensors and sound sensors.

If you suspect or are concerned about termites, require a property inspection before purchasing your home, or would like to know more about protecting your home from pests, get in contact with Rentokil today.