Don't let termites eat you out of house and home

Termites have long presented huge problems for home owners, particularly those who own timber homes. The good news is that there are ways you can keep these tiny pests at bay.

"The most obvious sign that you might have a problem with termites is if the lightest tap on a skirting board or doorframe sends the timber falling to pieces," says Keith from Dukes Pest Management. Also look out for any bubbling in paintwork; this is often a sign that termites have ploughed so far in that they're just behind the paint. Termites generally bring mud up with them from the soil below, so keep an eye out for mud tracks where plaster meets a doorframe.

Methods for Combatting Termites

There are numerous ways to proof your home against termites. In the case of a home built on stumps, make sure there is nothing stored underneath the house and that it's kept well ventilated at all times, as termites thrive in damp conditions. Chemicals can also be used to keep termites away. "You trench around each stump and along the internal foundation walls and put ready-mixed chemicals down there," explains Keith. 

If your home is built on a concrete slab, Australian standards stipulate that there should be a clear 75-100mm edge all the way around the house (this information is correct at the time of printing but you should seek professional advice in relation to the most current standards). This makes it easier for termite inspectors to identify whether there is a problem.

Make sure that any pipes, such as downpipes, overflow pipes and hot water system drainage pipes, are always directed the right way and that the water is running down into the pipe system and away. If there are leaks, they can cause the ground around the home to be very damp, thus providing the perfect conditions for termites to thrive in. 

Keith also emphasizes the point that homeowners should never use untreated timbers in the home. "That's something I've been finding a lot lately – people have been building pergolas and patios with the wrong type of timbers; termites can come up through the middle."

In new homes, it's become popular to install reticulation systems to eradicate termites. A pipe is run along the edge of the slab and a chemical is pumped through and allowed to drip out through the system into the soil. "My concern about that," says Keith, "is that if you install it, then put garden beds over the pipe, what's protecting the soil above the pipe? I believe the termites can still get in over the top."

A more expensive method is to install a baiting and monitoring system. "There's a small 'bait station' that goes into the ground around the home," explains Keith. "You put funnels down into the ground; each one has two or three pieces of untreated timber in it. You check them about once a month; if you see termites chewing away at the timber it's time to contact a termite expert."