Termite Control - DOit.television

An estimated 9% (or 650,000 households) of Australian households are affected by termites. There are 350 species of termites in Australia and 20 of those species eat solid household woods. Termites that eat wooden structures get a rich source of cellulose, sugar and carbohydrates from eating it. Which is great for them, but for us it can be costly. Termites like to eat low density woods like skirting, architraves, floorboards and pine house framing timbers.

The first indication a house has termites might be the slight discolouration of the walls, followed by a warping of the wall. Termites can be recognised by the wafer thin tunnels they build on woods, so as to protect themselves from the sun.

The average cost to fix a house with a termite infestation is $7,000 (based on a study by Archicentre). Although the cost of fixing these hidden surprises depends upon the house it self but can cost as much as $100,000. Normal building insurance does not cover termite infestations, so this cost is home owners. It is quite common for people to realize that they have termites only when it is too late and there has been structural damage done to the house.

If you live in an area that is known to have termites, then it is a good idea to get a licensed pest inspection done at least once a year. They can advise you of potential termite problems and solutions.

To help prevent termites use appropriate termite barriers and build with products that are termite resistant. The level of resistance to termites varies according to the type of timber. Merbau Timber or James Hardies fibre cement products are products which are well know for their anti-termite properties.

For more information about termites or termite inspections contact your local building surveyor (from the council), builder inspectors or pest controllers.

Links to check out for more information:
- Professional Pest Inspectors
- James Hardie Fibre Products
- Treatment and Prevention of Termites

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