Are You Fully Protected Against Advancing Termites?

Everyone who owns a home in Australia should be worried about a pervasive and dangerous underground pest — the termite. This tiny creature can, if left to its own devices, eat you out of your house and home. Some people think that termites are only interested in a wood framed structure and if their home is built from concrete block or brick, they are in the clear. However, this is not the case, so what's your best line of defence against these miniature monsters?

Termites feed on wood and they are never too far away from your home. They are very adventurous as well and if they are running out of their current food source, they will send scout termites in search of a new supply. If they find a way into or underneath your home, then they will zero in on a wooden beam or joist and get to work. Most homes built from concrete or brick have wood as part of their internal construction and are equally at risk.

Pesticide Barrier

You may be able to apply liquid pesticide as a barrier around the perimeter of your home. This needs to be introduced very carefully so that it eliminates all potential routes into the building for these insects. Furthermore, it will need to be renewed periodically to make sure it is still active.

Baiting System

Alternatively, you can consider a baiting system. Individual monitoring stations will be sunk into the ground at regular intervals around the perimeter of the building. These baiting stations are filled with small pieces of wood that are treated with a special chemical.

Crafty Chemical

Different types of chemical can be used but their aim is generally the same — to inhibit the ability of the insect to either grow or reproduce. Once they eat the infused wood, the termites will return to their nest and will infect others, leading to a gradual and eventual death.

Special Brew

Scientists have spent a great deal of time and effort to come up with the best solution for these bating stations. They believe that the infused wood is more attractive to the termites than any other nearby wood product, such as a tree root. These baiting stations can be checked periodically for the presence of termites and are therefore a lot easier to monitor and maintain than the barrier approach.

If you don't have any form of termite protection at the moment you need to take action as otherwise, it may only be a matter of time. Talk with a termite control expert to draw up a plan.