About Termites
"What do Termites look like?"
Termites are similar in size to ordinary black ants. They are generally pale, some with darkened heads (soldiers). You are more likely though, to see their mud tracks or timber damage first. Termites like to stay hidden inside timber or their mud leads.
"Are Termites White-Ants?"
No. Termites are actually more closely related to cockroaches than ants even though some termites look a very much like "white ants." Australians commonly call termites "white-ants" but they actually are termites, not ants.
“How do I recognise Termites?”
Subterranean termites are small insects, approximately the size of a grain of rice. Although it is possible that you may encounter the dark, winged alates in early spring, this is rare . It is more probable that you will find workers and possibly soldiers. Workers and soldiers are creamy white in colour and soldiers have a darkened head capsule. Unlike the maggots that you may find in damp wood, termites have six legs and are more like ants, though without a constricted "waist".
"Can I tell if Termites are in my house?"
There are number of signs that termite are or have been present including:
· Discoloured or blistering paint, depressions in wood, moisture collecting in unusual places, springy floors or steps
· A sagging door or floor, a warped wall, a hollow sounding beam.
· Mud shelter tubes (light / dark brown in colour - clay like texture)
· Workings (mud like material) found in wall voids or up the side of walls.
· Noticing the bridging of an already installed chemical or physical termite barrier (for example mud like workings up the side of a structure, especially at ground level).
· Wood Rot (may attract termites)
"What do I do if I think I have Termites?”
Do not disturb the area as this may affect treatment. Contact a Termite Expert and arrange a professional inspection of your home. If Termites are present, your trained Termite Expert will advise the most appropriate from of treatment and prevention.
"How can I help prevent Termite activity?"
- Do not store timber, refuse, firewood or similar materials against or close to your house or building. Remember, Termites love timber!
- Clean up any piles of branches or pieces of wood in your backyard.
- Remove all stumps and dead trees. Stumps and dead trees represent a huge food resource for termites with a large area in direct contact with the soil and provide ideal sites for feeding and nesting.
- Do not use untreated bark chipsinyour garden or garden beds.Wood-chip mulch should be removed or replaced with stones or termite-resistant mulch.
- Maintain a 75mm high clear area around the edge of your home to allow visual inspection of possible termite activity up the side of your foundation concrete slab.
- Rake garden beds away from your home to expose weep holes and the edge of your concrete slab.
- Replace wooden lawn ornaments with non-wood items.
- Raise fence posts, deck posts and stair stringers onto concrete or use an alternative to wood for building.
- Ensure that wooden sheds are raised above ground.
- Check youdon't have a wooden platform under aluminum or vinyl sheds. Build a platform of metal, concrete or PVC for stacking firewood.
- Fix any leaking plumbing, wet areas caused by poor drainage, leaks from the roof or other major areas of dampness as termites thrive where there is a source of moisture.
- Have an annual termite inspection by a trained Termite Expert.
Termite Inspections / Inspectors
"How much does a Termite Inspection normally cost?”
A Termite Inspection carried out by a licensed professional will normally cost between $160-$300 depending on the size of the property, the number of rooms and level of access to key inspection areas. Prices may vary between Termite Experts and the time of the year (promotional prices are often offered in winter as general pest control work is normally quiet). Contact your local Termite Expert for more details.
"What does a typical Inspection involve?”
A termite inspection involves a thorough visual inspection of the sub floor, roof void interior, exterior, and other areas of the property. An average house takes anywhere from one to two hours to complete. Cost may vary from $160-$300 depending on the size of the house and access. A thorough and detailed written report is then provided.
"What does a Termite Inspection do?”
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Detects old termite damage and active termites.
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Gives you the element of risk of infestation.
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Gives you tips on reducing the chances of termite infestation.
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Gives us enough information to accurately quote you on a termite treatment and to use the most appropriate method.
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Most importantly, educates you about termites.
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Identifies species of termites.
Remember a Termite Inspection is designed to detect termites at an early stage as to reduce the amount of damage to your house. It does not stop termites. It is strongly recommended a termite inspection report is carried out at least once every twelve months and every three to six months for high risk areas.
”Can we be confident that your Termite Experts are in fact Experts?"
All affiliated members of the Termite Experts network are qualified PCO’s (Pest Control Operators) with a required level of expertise in termite inspection, treatment and prevention. They have many years of on the job practical experience and they know termites. They are trained in the latest termite prevention and treatment products and methods and supporting technologies available on the market
"What will a Termite Expert look for when inspecting my home?”
A thorough termite inspection is the only certain method to detecting Termites and to plan the best form of treatment. This is usually done with the aid of a moisture meter, strong torch, termite donger and a screwdriver. A fibre-optic borescope may be used to look inside wall cavities. Some Termite Technicians use a stethoscope to listen for termite activity. Termites communicate by a faintly audible tapping noise made with their mandibles. When they sense danger to the nest, this noise is greatly increased in volume. By moderately thumping and listening, it is possible to locate areas of termite activity.
“What does a Moisture Meter do?”
A moisture meter is an electronic tool which is used to determine if high levels of moisture are retained throughout wall linings or timber. This may indicate areas where large numbers of termites have gathered in a wall nest. The meter is less able to pick up smaller numbers of termites and occasionally gives false readings. It is however, a valuable tool which should be used in conjunction with other methods.
“What is the advantage of Termatrac?”
The advantage of Termatrac is being able to detect termites through timber, plaster board, brick or masonry without any structural damage to the property. The release of Termatrac was the breakthrough. Previously detecting termites and sites of infestation was often impossible due to their secretive nature.
Termite Management for Existing Homes
"By surrounding your home with timber termites will eat this and stay out of your home."
This will only make the threat worse! Termites love feeding off wood and food supplies if they stacked around your home will only promote their activity and breeding. This will result in a growing termite colony foraging around the perimeter of your home. They certainly won’t stop at the outside of your home if they can help it!
"How will you treat active Termites in my home?"
Expert Termite Dusting of active infestation is the most common first step after locating the active termites. A very fine amount of Termite Dust such as Termidor Dust or Intrigue (which is poisonous to termites) is carefully applied to infested areas without disrupting the termites. Termites come in contact with the dust taking it back to the nest and by their constant contact with other termites, transfer the dust to other termites helping to destroy the whole colony.
Colony detection and subsequent destruction is strangely the second last step in this process. We leave it near the end because we need to monitor the colony to ascertain whether the Arsenic dusting is being successful.
“Is there a Standard for Termite Management of existing homes?”
Yes, the approved techniques are covered by Australian Standard AS 3660.2 - 2000: Termite management - in and around existing buildings and structures – Guidelines. This is available from Standards Australia, Sydney for around $90 a copy and can be ordered by mail. It provides guidelines on procedures for the detection, treatment and minimization of Subterranean Termite activity in and around existing buildings and structures.
It also sets out steps to be followed to determine the extent of termite infestation in existing buildings, the type of treatment to control or eradicate termites, the use of termite resistant materials, and methods for managing the risk of re-infestation by termites. Details for the certification of a treatment are included.
“Why should we take on the expense of termite protection if the chances of being attacked are low?”
They may not be as low as you think. A survey of hundreds of houses in NSW in the 1980s showed that about one in five houses had Active termites around or had had a problem with them in the past. Today more houses are being built on the fringes of cities and towns. The risk from termite attack has increased significantly. Recent industry surveys suggest that about one in three of all unprotected properties are subject to attack by termites.
“When do homeowners usually for Termite problems?”
Unfortunately it is often when the damage is already in evidence. The treatments for termites are performed as a Reactive Cure rather than as a Preventive Measure.
Termite Protection for New Homes
“Are all new homes sold with termite protection in place?”
Yes, most buyers of new estate project homes are not involved in the deciding what pre-construction termite prevention technology is included with their housing package. The builder has taken care of this for them. The situation is different for builders and their clients in the non-project segment of the housing construction market.
“Does all Termite Protection come with a Warranty?”
Termite Expert members will issue a warranty for all complete termite protection systems subject to a number of warranty conditions. These include the requirement to maintain the property correctly, the periodic re-treatment of in-ground reticulated systems and most importantly annual recorded inspections by the installer of the Termite Protection.
“Are Termite Inspections required to maintain my Termite Protection Warranty?”
Termite Expert members will issue a warranty for all complete
Termite Protection is only part of effective Termite Management. Annual Inspections as recommended in the Australian Standard AS3660.1 are required under all warranties issued by Termite Expert members.
“Who is responsible for the Termite Protection of new homes and for extensions to existing homes?”
Under the NSW Home Building Act 1989, administered by the NSW Office of Fair Trading, builders are liable for the viability of the termite protection system installed.
Builders usually sub-contract termite protection to experienced Pre-Construction termite companies, such as members of the Termite Experts network. It is qualified technicians from these Pest Control Companies that conduct the installations.
For residential building contracts in NSW signed on or after 1 May 1997 Statutory Warranties apply. On completion, homeowners should ensure they file all termite warranty documents received from their builder.
“Is there a Standard for Termite Management of new buildings, ground level extensions and renovations?”
Yes, the approved techniques are covered by the Australian Standard AS 3660.1 - 2000, Termite Management New building work. This is available from Standards Australia, Sydney. Building professionals work with installers, such as members of the TermiteExperts network, who have the work history and knowledge to assure compliance with this standard.
“What Termite Protection Techniques are available?”
There are 3 major types of Termite Barrier: Reticulated Chemical Barriers, Physical Barriers and Chemical Spray Barriers.
Reticulated Termite Barriers and Physical Barriers are installed during the building of new homes or building extensions. Reticulated Barriers are a system of underground pipes that can distribute chemical to the entire edge of a property via injection points. They can regularly be re-treated.
Physical Barriers such as Granitgard or Trithor on the other hand are installed around the base of building foundations and prevent termites from entering a structure, forcing them out into the open where they can be easily detected.
Termite Spray products such as Termidor or Bifenthrin can be regularly applied to the perimeter of new or existing properties to form a barrier against Termite entry to the home. All of these techhiques are available from your local Termite Expert and come with industry leading Termite Protection Warranties.
“Are physical and chemical barriers ever used in together?”
This can happen when there are unusual site circumstances, these conditions may demand putting in extra protection from termite attack, but it is not common
“Are there non-chemical options for preventing Termite attack?”
Yes, these are known as physical barriers. Physical barriers such as Granitgard crushed natural stone are available from Termite Experts do not kill termites. They work because they create a physical roadblock that is difficult for termites to penetrate directly.
“What is the main difference between physical and chemical barriers?”
Physical barriers are Permanent whereas Chemical barriers require Renewal.
“How is Re-treatment achieved?”
A re-treatment Termite Barrier System such as Termguard or Cavtect uses a system of reticulated underground pipe configurations with locked injection points. These can distribute termitcides such as Bifenthrin into the soil under pressure. The initial liquid Bifenthrin charge is injected on building completion and on a scheduled basis (normally every 3 years) thereafter. Termguard is installed and maintained by accredited Termguard technicians.
“Do both Granitgard and Termguard comply with Australian Standard for Termite Protection on new building work?”
GRANITGARD and TERMGUARD are in full compliance with the Australian Standard AS 3660.1-2000.
“What is Granitgard so effective in protecting against termite entry?”
Granitgard is a crushed and screened natural granite stone. The principle behind Granitgard is simple. The particles of crushed granite are small enough that they pack tightly and do not allow termites to squeeze through. They are also big and heavy enough that the termites can't pick them up and move them. Finally, the particles are too hard for the termites to chew.
“What chemicals are approved to prevent the ongoing threat of Termite Attack?”
The main chemicals (termiticides/soil insecticides) that are currently approved for use during and after construction are - Chloropyrifos (an organophosphate) and Bifenthrin (a synthetic pyrethroid). Most Termite Experts member choose to use Bifenthrin as it streamlines the keeping of application records, which are required by the NSW Government.
“Can residential property be built anywhere in NSW free from the risk of termite attack?”
No, according to the CSIRO Termite Hazard Map, termites are distributed throughout all of NSW. For example, High Risk areas include Sydney/Central Coast/Wollongong/Tweed Heads/Dubbo/Albury. Canberra(ACT) is Moderate Risk. Nowadays every new ground level home in NSW starts off Termite protected; it is an unfortunate fact that no home can be guaranteed 100% termite-proof.
“When and where is Bifenthrin used?”
Bifenthrin is most frequently used with concrete slab-on-ground construction before the slab is poured. The chemical is sprayed under the proposed entire slab and around the perimeter footings of the building, creating a zone of treated soil that kills termites.
“What is the effective life span of Bifenthrin?”
It lasts 6-10 years under the slab and 3-5 years where exposed at the perimeter. This chemical has a life that is less than the expected life of any new building. This means that re-treatment becomes necessary.
“Which Federal Government Agency have approved the usage of Bifenthrin during and after construction?”
Bifenthrin has been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). The APVMA has placed stringent controls on use, to protect consumers, pest controllers and other building workers.
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