Termites cause more devastation to Australian properties than fires, floods and other natural disasters combined.
These blind, hidden, “silent destroyers” infest around one in every five Australian houses, with around 130,000-180,000 properties damaged every year.
And unfortunately, as of 2001, home insurance doesn’t cover such destruction as it is classed as a preventable insect problem.
And, no matter what property owners do, it’s impossible to kill termite colonies completely as they can be huge (think up to 2 million insects) and also because these savvy super survivors can regenerate themselves over and over again.
Nowhere in Australia is safe from termites as the country’s 300+ species enjoy all kinds of climates.
Yet while only around 20-40 termite species will cause serious damage, as a homeowner you should be concerned about any termites discovered on your property.
To ensure homes and gardens are safe from termites, you must remain vigilant.
What to check for
Obvious floor and ceiling damage such as hollow-sounding walls, bubbling or flaking wall paint and dust at the bottom of walls. Don’t forget to check skirting boards and ceiling beams.
Mud “tubes” or tracks, both inside and outside the home, especially those trailing from concrete uprights.
If any of these issues are discovered, do not interrupt or damage the termite evidence. Contact a professional termite inspector for further advice.
How to treat
All Australian properties built after 2001 must include a physical termite barrier.
However, these barriers only last around 20 years and home foundation movements can compromise the effectiveness.
So regular inspections should be maintained.
If required, professionals will treat any affected areas with a chemical termite barrier.
Property owners can also use termite bait “stations”, either inside or outside the home.
Discouraging termites
Store all timber well away from the home and any other buildings on the site, particularly stay away from foundations.
Use only termite-resistant timber when renovating and gardening, including mulch, and don’t place it too close to the house.
Ensure garden fences don’t touch the soil.
Seal cracks or holes in the