WHY DO I NEED A TERMITE INSPECTION?
These are some questions you may be asking:
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Are there termites in the walls? |
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Am I attracting termites to forage for food & moisture in my home? |
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Is my shower leaking, attracting termites?
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How can I reduce termite pressure and prevent termites from becoming attracted to
areas around my home?
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What are my best options for termite control?
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Our technicians can answer all these questions and more providing you with a comprehensive
inspection report and advice.
Here are some Maintenance Tips And Recommendations
that will significantly reduce
the risk of subterranean termite attack:
2. Keep fence posts and structures away from contact with the house walls.
This creates a bridge for termite access into the structure.
3. Remove all logs/tree stumps from gardens/surrounds.
Termites can use these areas for breeding and instigating new
colonies.
4. Trim and maintain all trees/shrubs.
Deteriorating trees/stumps/retaining walls often allow termites
to colonise.
5. Gardens should not be abutting the main dwelling.
This encourages moisture build up and may render any previous
chemical barrier ineffective.
6. Clearance of all weep holes and service entry points needs attention.
When covered this encourages termite
activity and gives direct access to the main structure and can increase the difficulty
of detecting entry points.
7. Redirect hot water and air conditioning over flow waste away
from the house.
These areas encourage termite activity
to structure.
8. Nonconforming structures such as partitions, should be removed,
reconstructed or treated.
When these items have been built
by the ‘home handy-man’ generally little consideration is given to either
physical or chemical barriers for termite protection.
9. Check for and or repair leaking shower fittings/sealants.
Moisture in internal timbers encourages termite activity.
10. Inspect inaccessible areas.
It is recommended inaccessible areas such as
wall voids have further investigation carried out by a borescope to determine the
existence of termite activity.
11. If the home is built on concrete slab, maintenance of a slab edge exposure must
be maintained.
12. A full termite protection program should be budgeted for and noted as a future
expense.
Chemical barriers are a means of protecting the property
against the risk of termite attack and should be maintained to a high standard at
all times.
13. All carport, veranda & pergola uprights should be placed on metal stirrups
with at lease 100mm clearance to the ground.
This can reduce fungi and possible termite entry.
14. Retaining timber walls should be replaced with non-susceptible/termite resistant
materials.
Termites can use these areas for breeding and instigating
new colonies.
Termites are an ancient group of insects that feed on cellulose material ranging
from grass to wood. Australia has more than 300 species of termites, but only about
15 species generally infest and cause damage within buildings. Click here for more
information on termites (direct to dpi website).
1. What types of termites are likely to infest and cause damage to my
home?
2. How can termites get into my home?
3. Aren't new homes with concrete slabs virtually termite proof?
4. What do I do if I find termites in my house?
5. How can Pest Busters help?
6. How much does it cost to look at the problem?
7. What guarantee do you give?
8. Will the termites come back?
9. Do I have to have a treatment every year?
10. How much does it cost to treat termites?
11. What damage have the termites caused?
12. Are treatments harmful to humans or pets?
13. What is a termite barrier and how is it installed to my home?
14. What termiticides do Pest Busters use?
15. How often should I have a Termite Inspection?
1. What types of termites
are likely to infest and cause damage to my home?
In Australia the most destructive type of termite is the Subterranean Termite, constantly
foraging below the soil searching for food and moisture. When they find a good food
source (e.g. walls or doorframes) they make a trail from their termite colony to
the food source for a continuous supply.
2. How can termites
get into my home?
Homes and other buildings provide termites with the ideal combination of warmth,
moisture and food sources. Termites can find ways to enter your home that you've
never even thought of. They are small enough to gain entry into hidden areas of
basements, crawl spaces, and concrete slabs, through openings as small as 0.8mm.
3. Aren't new homes
with concrete slabs virtually termite proof?
By building mud tubes, termites can cross concrete, brick, metal shields, pre-treated
wood, or even a professionally applied termite barrier. It is therefore very important
as a homeowner that your home is thoroughly inspected at least every 12 months,
to detect any bridging or breaks in the termite barrier.
4. What do I do if
I find termites in my house?
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Leave the termites undisturbed |
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Call Pest Busters to arrange an appointment at your home |
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An analysis of your property and a termite management program is prepared and discussed |
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The termites are treated using the correct products and techniques |
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We will recommend a thorough termite inspection to the remainder of the house as
sometimes there are multiple entry points |
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We will schedule a follow up appointment 7-12 days after treatment to ensure the
treatment has been effective |
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We will recommend a termite barrier to the perimeter of the house to ensure there
is no further termite ingress. |
5. How can Pest Busters help?
Only a trained professional understands the intricacies of how a termite colony
behaves. Using advanced products and materials, a skilled technician can effectively
treat active termites and apply a termite barrier that is designed to control the
termites and minimise the risk from any future termite attack.
6. How much does it
cost to look at the problem?
There is no charge to you for Pest Busters to visit your property to carry out an
assessment of the termite problem and advise of rectification.
7. What guarantee do
you give?
Pest Busters give a 12-month warranty on all termite work carried out.
8. Will the termites
come back?
No. With the treatment described above there should be no further evidence of termites.
Further problems may exist in rare occasions e.g. construction joints, extensions
etc unknown to the pest technician.
9. Do I have to have
a treatment every year?
No. The termiticide lasts for approximately 5 years with a repellant 8 years non
repellant. We do however recommend annual inspections as conditions regularly change
which may affect the termite barrier in place.
10. How much does
it cost to treat termites?
Treatment costs vary depending on factors such as the degree of infestation, size
of your home, type of construction and products used. Your pest manager will detail
charges, guarantees, service commitments and special offers before seeking your
agreement to proceed.
11. What damage have the termites done?
Sometimes this is difficult to determine – thus the need for a comprehensive
inspection and in some cases a more invasive inspection.
12. Are treatments
harmful to humans or pets?
The termiticides used today are of very low toxicity, being harmless to children,
adults and pets. MSDS sheets are provided upon request.
13. What is a termite
barrier and how is it installed to my home?
Treatments and methods vary with each home, depending on the type of foundations,
construction materials, number and type of verandas and patios etc. A termite barrier
is installed by digging narrow trenches along all external walls, and (if relevant)
drilling small holes through horizontal surfaces. The recommended termiticide and/or
product (reticulation) is then applied. With all termite barriers and applications,
manufacturers of the termiticide give a life expectancy. This is worked out for
an ideal application to an ideal area with standard termite pressure. There should
be a durable notice sticker in your meter box, which explains how your property
is protected, and the life expectancy of the chemical treatment. It is recommend
most termite barriers should be renewed every 3-5 years. Termite control treatments
usually take a day or two, with very little upset to your daily routine.
14. What termiticides do Pest Busters use?
Termiticides vary from different pest management companies. Pest Busters recommend
the most efficient and price cost effective with safety being paramount, tailor
designed to suit your home.
Biflex:
Active ingredient Bifenthrin
Designed to repel termites, but will also kill termites that come in contact with
the product.
Life of termiticide - External perimeter up to 5 years.
Termidor:
Active ingredient Fiprinol
Designed to kill termites and wipe out the colony. Termites cannot detect this termiticide
and randomly forage through the treated zone where they pick up a lethal dose. Termidor
is then transferred through normal feeding and grooming to other termites, which
has the capacity to eliminate the whole colony.
Life of termiticide: 5-8 years
The termiticides Biflex & Termidor attach to soil particles
and cannot be leached away by rainfall or watering of lawns and gardens under normal
circumstances. Each is also environmentally friendly and is not harmful to humans
or pets including soil microorganisms and plants.
15. How often should I have a Termite Inspection?
As a homeowner it is important that your home is thoroughly inspected
at least every 12 months, to detect any bridging or breaks in the termite barrier.
If you make any improvements or repairs to your home that disturbs this barrier
please give us a call first for advice. We can then determine the need for reinstallation
of the disturbed barrier if required.
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Additions to your home such as patios, pergolas, concrete paths, garages, carports
or additional rooms must be protected against termite attack. |
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Termites love damp conditions: Promptly repair leaking taps, faulty air conditioning
units, pool pump motors and faulty spouting and down pipes to reduce excessive moisture. |
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Landscaping activities must not disturb the termite barrier. Try to avoid using
timber in your landscaping, such as old railway sleepers in retaining walls or garden
edges. |
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Installing sprinkler systems close to the footings can disturb the barrier, and
therefore a new termite barrier may need to be installed. |
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Avoid installing pergolas and fences that are in direct contact with both the soil
and your home. |
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Do not change the soil level of your yard so that the level slopes back towards
the home, creating damp conditions next to the footings. |
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COCKROACHES
Cockroaches typically become established in homes after being introduced in grocery
bags, with laundry, in boxes or wander in from outdoors. Once cockroaches become
established they are prolific breeders capable of producing several thousand offspring
in a year. Cockroaches prefer to live where there is food, warmth and moisture.
Since cockroaches flourish where food and moisture are readily available, sanitation
is an important step in prevention and control.
Unlike the days of old, the materials Pest Busters use now are very low toxic and
are designed to specifically target the pest.
We use the latest advances in cockroach treatments, which means
cupboards don't have to be emptied. The products used are actually attractants and
when eaten the cockroaches disappear back into their cracks and crevices and die.
Being cannibals others eat them, causing no mess, eventually exterminating the entire
infestation.
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FLEAS
The life cycle of the flea is similar to that of a moth - egg, larva, pupa and adult.
A newly hatched adult flea is unfed, small, black and aggressive; the larger adult
fleas have had a blood meal and may be laying eggs on your pet. For every flea on
your pet there may be hundreds waiting to emerge.
In summer, a flea may be ready to hatch from the pupa about 7-14 days after it is
formed. Movement triggers this hatching. In a vacant house, a flea can remain dormant
in its pupa for more than 18 months. Fleas can continue to hatch from their pupae
after a pest control treatment, as the products used unfortunately cannot penetrate
the flea pupation chamber. But the adult flea will die after a few hours when in
contact with the residual treatment - both on your pet and in the environment.
The solution for successful flea control is:
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Treat both your pet and your pet's environment, inside and outside the house. |
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Prior to treatment remove toys, clothes etc from the floor. |
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Prior to treatment also remove your pets from the area to be treated and let them
return after the treatment has dried.
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Be patient. Even if everything has been done correctly, you will still see newly
hatched fleas, usually for several weeks. (Do not vacuum for at least 7 days after
treatment). |
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Do not leave the flea areas undisturbed as movement hatches fleas. Leave your pet
in the flea-infested areas, as it will attract the fleas. |
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Retreat your pet regularly according to your vet to control fleas hatching from
the pupae in treated and untreated areas (e.g. - when you walk the dog) |
RODENTS
Australia has more than 60 species of native rodents. These natives
rarely invade homes but some do cause problems in agriculture. There are also three
introduced rodents; which cause problems in urban areas:
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Rattus norvegicus |
the sewer or brown rat
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Rattus rattus |
the roof or black rat
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Mus musculus |
the house mouse |
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Some properties are invaded in autumn every year as rats and mice seek shelter in
cooler weather. Others may be invaded when nearby areas are developed. Pet food
is also a major attraction for rodents.
Rodents contaminate our environment with their urine and droppings and by spreading
disease. An adult house mouse produces 50 to 100 droppings and up to 3,000 micro-droplets
of urine per day, a rat about 40 to 50 droppings per day and over 10 liters of urine
per year. Rodents are known to be vectors of over fifty disease organisms including
the causes of plague, leptospirosis, murine typhus and food poisoning.
Rodents develop territories and have a social hierarchy so not all will have equal
access to bait. The most dominant and aggressive individuals tend to be the oldest
and largest male members of the colony. Treatment programs must be designed to control
the colony, rather than a few individuals.
Pest Busters use anticoagulant rodenticides baiting systems to
treat rodents. The formula used in the bait systems reduces the ability of the blood
to clot causing internal hemorrhage. Death occurs from four days after commencement
of feeding.
The Pre-Construction answer for builders
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