How To Control Termites And Protect Your Home?
Termites are structural pests that exist throughout Australia. Although there are multiple varieties, you will only find a few common ones like Subterranean termites invading your home. Unfortunately, these silent pests can cause enormous physical and financial damages to your property. That’s why it is crucial to book a Pest Control Perth for termite control.
Different Termite Species In Perth
Termites are abundant in Perth and cause significant damage to homes and crops. Although there are around 350+ species of control termites, these are the most typical categories:
- Subterranean termites
- Drywood termites
- Dampwood termites
Termites have different feeding habits, and so it’s essential to identify the correct species. You can speak to an expert Pest Control Perth and book an inspection.
What Attracts Termites Inside Your Home?
Termites are primarily attracted to wooden structures inside your home. In addition, control termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood contact with home foundations, and cracks in the exteriors. Also, the geographic location of your Perth home plays a crucial role in attracting termite colonies inside your building.
How Quickly Can Termites Destroy Your Home?
Termites cause thousands of dollars in damage and build multiple colonies, which exponentially increases the threat. Giant subterranean termites can eat up to a pound of wood every day. However, this damage goes unnoticed for several years. That’s why you should hire a Pest Control Perth once you spot the below signs of termites inside your home.
How Do You Spot Termites?
Termites are probably residing inside your home long before you know it. Whether it’s subterranean, drywood or dampwood termites, each one can inflict severe structural damage. So, it’s crucial to catch the early warning signs of termite presence that includes:
- Discoloured drywalls
- Peeling paints from walls
- Hollow sounding wood
- Small holes in the dry walls
- Buckled and squeaky floorboards
- Crumbling wood
- Maze-like patterns in walls and furniture
- Mounds resembling small piles of sand
- Mud tubes
- Flying termite swarms
However, it is essential to understand warning signs like discarded wings, termite swarms, mud tubes, and droppings.
Discarded Wings
Termite swarms can happen inside or outside once the mature ones leave their nest. Soon after their flight, termites start to shed their wings. You will find small piles of branches around your home, like window sills.
Swarm Of Termites
Sometimes you might have noticed swarms of termites during spring or early fall. You can miss it because the timing varies according to weather conditions in your area. Keep an eye out because that can be a sign of termite infestation.
Mud Tubes
The most abundant species in Australia, subterranean termites, are known for building shelter tubes or mud tubes. It serves as the bridge between their colonies and the wood they consume. If you spot these mud tubes, please contact a professional Pest Control Perth for a thorough investigation.
Droppings
After consuming wood and cellulose, termites leave behind droppings for frass. It often indicates a nearby termite infestation.
How Do Termites Enter Your Perth Home?
Termites or white ants can enter your home through tiny cracks and holes. However, they need a warmer temperature to settle inside your home. They will either enter your home through timber in contact with the ground or build mud tubes through cracks. So, structures with untreated wood or cellulose insulation contact soil are most vulnerable to termite infestation. Also, fence posts, tree stumps and deck posts are susceptible to termites.
DIY Termite Treatment Options
It is possible to do your own termite Pest Control Perth, but first, do your research. It may contain the following options:
Termite Baiting
Termite baiting is often the first line of defence most homeowners employ. It is simple; you lure the termites with their favourite food and kill them. Baits are very popular because they are cheap and easy to use. You can also combine them with other treatment methods to get rid of these pesky pests.
There are two kinds of baiting systems for termites:
- Below Ground Installation
Untreated woods are used for underground bait stations. You will need to check them for termites in the area. Once the termites swarm around the wood, replace them with baits laced with toxic substances. However, underground bait stations are only for outside, and you will need to place several ones to see the result.
- Above Ground Installation
Above ground, bait installations are much easier to place. Also, they are placed directly on active termite tunnels, and there’s no shooting in the dark. Right now, there are plenty of above-ground bait products available at your nearby departmental store. The most significant advantage of this system is that there are no guessworks.
Liquid Termite Treatment
Liquid termite treatments are also known as chemical barriers. Under this method, the liquid termiticide is sprayed around your home to prevent termites from getting past. Although used for all termites, it works best for subterranean species, more common in Perth. Using the liquid treatment gives you better results and lasts for a long time.
Boric Acid Treatment
Boric acid treatment is effective against all kinds of termite infestations. Besides, boric acid dehydrates termites, destroys their stomachs, and that breaks down their nervous system.
Other Termite Treatment Options
You can also use some natural treatment options for short-term results.
- Orange Oil termite treatment
- Borax powder
- Vinegar
- Nematodes
Does DIY Work?
Termite treatments are long-term applications and require extensive knowledge, expertise and patience. Unfortunately, most DIY treatments fail to impress termites over time. Also, there are different species of termites that might require a completely separate set of treatments.
Besides, many homeowners have the idea that DIY is cost-effective. Yes, it may lower your initial costs but shows a progressive loss in profits over months. That’s why you should always book an inspection with a specialist, Pest Control Perth and get an evaluation report. Also, a termite inspection team will provide long-term monitoring and ensure your home is permanently free from this menace.
How To Prepare For Termite Inspection?
If you plan to hire a specialist Pest Control Perth to inspect your home, here are a couple of things you should do to prep up your home.
- Remove storage under the sink, kitchens and bathrooms
- Move items outside the home and two feet away from the exterior wall
- Trim back bushes around the concrete wall
- Remove all storage from crawl spaces, basements and attic.
- Clear the access if your home is on a raised foundation
It will make life easy for the pest inspection if you keep these tips in mind during a termite inspection.
What Does A Professional Termite Inspection Involve?
You need to schedule a call with a Pest Control Perth first. Once you are done, the process is relatively easy and follows this protocol typically.
- The exterminator team will set a time according to your schedule
- The technician will access the key areas like your attic, sink, garage and crawl space during the inspection
- He will inspect the interior and exterior, searching for telltale signs of termite infestation
- Your termite inspector will also check for wood damage, mud tube, droppings, discarded wings and exit holes
- Most reputed contractors use modern tools to inspect your home for hidden termite colonies
- Once the inspection is complete, they will prepare a report
- You can choose from one-time or yearly plans depending on the termite infestation level.
What Are The Different Types Of Termite Treatment?
Most professional Pest Control Perth contractors follow three standard methods of termite treatment. However, treatment options for termites also vary depending on the category of pest thriving inside your home.
- Soil Treatment
Inspectors create barriers on the soils surrounding your home. First, they will dig a trench around the foundation. Next, they will apply termiticide and refill the trench. It will help to prevent future infestations and kill the termites as they step on the chemical barrier.
- Wood Treatment
There are different types of wood treatment methods available for termite infestation. Professionals use it to kill both existing colonies and prevent future infestation. Wood treatments include surface sprays that are applied directly to the wood. Also, inspectors use injected sprays and foams inside the wood. Other treatment options include borate treated wood and fumigation, which disturbs the mechanism of termites.
- Bait Stations
A termite Pest Control Perth specialist installs bait stations around the perimeter of your home and monitors them on a schedule. It ensures the best protection for your home from both present and past infestations. Bait stations contain chemicals that termites eat and take back to their colonies, spreading the insecticide. Besides, bait stations are highly effective against large-scale termite populations.
Which treatment Options Are The Best?
The success of any treatment options for termite Pest Control Perth entirely depends on the species.
Subterranean termites usually build their nests underground. Also, they will enter your home at places where the wood directly comes in contact with the soil. That’s why they squeeze through cracks in the foundation, around utility pipes or via mud tubes. The best treatment for subterranean termites is bait stations and soil applications.
Drywood termites, however, don’t need a soil connection. It establishes their colonies wherever they find a preferable source of wood. Also, they require less moisture to survive than other termite species. For this, fumigation is perhaps the best system against these species.
Dampwood termites are much larger than other termite species and have pincers to fight their predators. Also, these termites don’t nest in soil or build mud tubes. What’s more, they are also less destructive than other species. However, you can contact a professional Pest Control Perth to remove them through termiticide application.
How To Prevent Termites From Coming Back?
Prevention is perhaps the best defence strategy against termites. You can stop them on their tracks by:
- Use concrete foundations and leave a ventilation space between the soil and wood.
- Clean downspouts and gutters regularly
- Cover any exposed wood with a metal barrier
- Ensure proper grading and drainage around the soil foundations
- Fix any leaks urgently
- Prevent blockages in drains
- Avoid landscaping close to wooden structures
- Forget about keeping firewood and debris piled next to your home
- Order a termite inspection annually from a Pest Control Perth
You can follow these tips and catch the early warning signs and protect your home against termite nemesis.
Does Your Insurance Provide Termite Coverage?
Homeowners insurance provides coverage against accidental damage. Unfortunately, control termites are not a sudden phenomenon and have been present inside your home for a long time. That’s why most homeowners insurance won’t provide coverage for termite damage. However, some insurance providers do offer protection plans for home inspections. So, it’s your responsibility to check for early termite signs at your home and contact a Pest Control Perth for repairs.
Why Should You Hire A Termite Inspector?
Control Termites are silent destroyers, and before you know it, a lot of damage has been done. But you can still protect your home by contacting a termite Pest Control Perth urgently because:
- Specialists use modern tools
- They know that the right termite treatment plan
- Provide customised treatment plan for each termite species
- Safest treatment option for your home and family
- Cost-effective method for termite elimination
- Avoid costly property damage
- Provide expert advice
- Provides homeowners with flexible, one-time or yearly treatment plans
Fascinating Facts About Termites
The world of termites are indeed fascinating, and here are a few fascinating things about them you didn’t know:
- Termites are workhorses and never sleep
- Termites colonies are significant and can contain more than three million
- Termites have a caste system, and each one plays a different role
- Termites use vibrations to communicate with each other
- Termites eat faeces
- Most termites are blind
- Termites are hygienic and take a long time to groom
- Termites may be harmful to your home but great for the ecosystem
Once you have discovered any form of termite damage, you should take immediate measures to eliminate them. DIY will not work against control termites, and that’s why you should contact a specialist Pest Control Perth inspector like Xterminate Pest Control Perth to inspect and kill termites. Visit Xterminate Pest Control Perth‘s website to learn more about their services. Additionally, you may like to examine their Google customer reviews.
