No one wants termites around their homes, considering how much investment goes into having one. Australian homeowners are victims of significant annual damages caused by termites. According to statistics, at least one in four Australian homes will be infested by termites at some point. So the question “How do I prevent termites?” is well worth asking!
Australian capital cities have continued to develop rapidly, with more wooded areas converted into residential neighbourhoods. This, in turn, comes with an increased prevalence of termites. Even though termite infestations are more destructive than all-natural disasters combined, only a few house owners put the necessary termite prevention measures in place.
Now that we have established how destructive termites can be let us look at how we can protect our homes from them. There are a number of things you can do to make your home less attractive to termites. This shouldn’t be your only defence however. In addition to these termite prevention steps you should organise and annual termite inspection with a professional pest controller. Such experts will assess the situation and install a proper termite protection system, alongside a warranty.
Below are practical tips anyone can do to prevent the infestation and damages caused by subterranean termites in Australian homes.
Termite Prevention Steps For Homeowners
- Avoid keeping untreated timber, including firewood, around your home.
- Replace hardwood timber garden sleepers around your home with termite-resistant materials like masonry and treated pine. The former are breeding places for termites.
- If you have suspended floors in your homes, remove any timber on the ground under the house. They tend to invite and harbour termites.
- Always keep the venting to the subfloor unblocked – it is the only way air gets through, which keeps the area dry and uninviting to termites.
- Watch out for leaking water pipes and stormwater drains that may drip or soak water into the soil. You don’t want moist soil around your home as it’s attractive for termites to maintain the right humidity in the nest.
- Don’t install irrigation systems around the perimeter of your home for the same reasons.
- For brick homes, keep the weep holes clean and free of obstructions like garden mulch, dirt, and concrete. Weep holes are found at the base of the perimeter, right in-between the bricks. The holes allow the passage of air and moisture to and from the cavity.
- Always place structures like pergolas posts on the metal stirrups. Likewise, leave a clearance of not less than 75mm between the finished ground level and the pergola posts base.
- Get rid of vegetation around the building perimeter to discourage the presence of termites, including mulch. Use pot plants and pebbles instead or organic matter.
- Look for signs of termites in trees on the property.
- Do not be quick to break or destroy a termite mud tunnel found around your property. Instead, invite a pest controller for a quick inspection. Such experts are trained to uncover the termites and recommend a proper treatment method to remove the termites altogether.
- General home maintenance is critical. Always keep the exterior surfaces painted and screen your vents to deter flying termites.
- Never buy or move into a home without a thorough inspection and adherence to environmental standards.
You can help prevent termites with these simple steps. For maximum prevention when fighting termites, nothing beats a year-round termite protection and control program. Bring in a professional termite controller to put one in place for you. For pest control in Sydney including termites, get in touch with Mr Flikem!
