Termite Information
Our technicians each possess over 15 years of Termite experience, and have a reputation for offering the best advice and tailored solutions for effective Termite control. Your home is one of your most important assets, and it is important to protect that asset.Approximately 1 in 4 Australian houses are at risk from Termidor, and it can take only 3 months for Termites to damage up to a quarter of an average sized home!
What should I do if I think I have found Termites?
- DO NOT DISTURB THE TERMITES!
- Contact M & M immediately – click here for your nearest M & M Termite Expert.
- DO NOT– spray the Termites with fly spray or douse them with kerosene or petrol.
- DO NOT – remove the damaged timbers
By disturbing the Termites you can cause the problem to intensify as Termites will probably retreat from the disturbed area and re–appear to attack elsewhere in your home. Disturbance of the Termites can also have adverse effects on any treatment to the property by minimising the opportunity to eliminate the colony (remember the colony may not be on your property).
Can I do anything to prevent a Termite infestation?
Yes! Remove any scrap wood from directly around or under your property, and avoid erecting wooden structures that directly touch the soil to minimise the risk of Termite infestations. M & M Pest Management and the Australian standard AS3660.2–2000 for Termite control strongly recommend a minimum of one (1) full Termite inspection per year and more inspections in high–risk areas.
How can Termites damage my property?
Termites feed mainly on cellulose, a major component of wood. Continuous feeding leads to complete destruction. It’s not just timber houses that are at risk. A 1998 CSIRO study of 4000 homes found that brick and steel–framed houses are equally at risk from Termite attack as timber–framed houses. Termites will chew through other cellulose–based materials such as timber doors and window frames, skirting boards and other cellulose–containing substances. They may also attack wiring insulation!
What can I do if I have Termites?
The required chemicals and baiting systems for Termite elimination are not for sale to the public and must be used under strictly controlled conditions. Your local M & M Pest Control Centre has a team of professionals trained in the use of these chemicals and systems.If you find you do have Termites, contact us immediately to deal safely and professionally with these pests.
How do I recognise a Termite?
In Australia the Subterranean (ground nesting) Termite occurs throughout Australia. In a Termite colony there are three (3) castes: the queen, soldiers and workers. The queen is not seen outside the centre of the colony. The soldier has a brown head and white body with forceps-like jaws used for defending the colony, and measures up to 12mm. The worker, responsible for feeding the queen and colony building measures up to 6mm.
Do Termites fly?
At certain times of the year, depending on temperature and humidity, Termites swarm. The winged forms of Termites are the future queens. After mating, the queen attempts to establish a new colony. The presence of flying insects in large numbers should be investigated by a professional.
Do Termites cause damage?
Yes. Termites are the most destructive of all wood-infesting insects. If proper control procedures are not carried out, serious structural damage will occur. Termite damage affects 1 in 4 Australian homes, and this rate is on the increase. In fact, annual Termite damage is calculated to be 5 times that caused by fire, flood and storms combined. That’s a cost of more than 200 million dollars every year. Part of the reason for the increase in Termite damage is due to the building materials we’re using. Introduced softwoods are particularly vulnerable to Termite attack. Unfortunately, the scarcity and slow growth rate of our native hardwood timbers means that more and more introduced softwoods are being used in timber–framed houses with concrete slab floors. This type of house is very prone to Termite attack.
How do I recognise Termite activity?
Termites are secretive by nature. That’s why most of the damage they cause takes place before you even notice them.
Telltale signs of Termite infestation include:
- Mud “shelter tubes” that the insects use to gain access to your home. These tubes may be visible around the outside of or under your house.
- Sagging floors
- Sagging doors or sliding doors jamming
- Disfiguration to paint or plaster
- Power failures – Termites are known to chew through electrical insulation
When are Termites most common?
There is an increase in colony expansion activity during warmer weather although once a colony is established Termites are a year–round problem.
Can weather conditions affect the size of a Termite infestation?
Since Termites prefer dampness, the combination of this and warmth are ideal conditions for establishing colonies.Contact Us today to arrange an inspection Follow this Link
