Your home is often the biggest investment you’ll make in your lifetime, and it’s also where your heart is – which is why it’s so devastating when termites destroy large sections of it. So many homeowners don’t recognise the tell-tale signs of termite damage or infestation, until it is too late to manage the destruction they have already caused. No property that contains wood is completely safe from termites – all the termite prevention barriers and measures in the world cannot be 100% effective.
Subterranean termites are social insects usually living in underground nests. Nests may be located in tree stumps, retaining walls, trees or in some instances located in above ground areas within the property. They tunnel underground to enter the building and then remain hidden within the timbers making them challenging to locate. Termites are also hard to locate if gardens are built up around the home and termite management systems are either not in place or poorly maintained. Termites are extremely sensitive to temperature, humidity and light, which is why they do not move above ground. They travel in mud encrusted (termite tracking) tunnels searching for food. Detection of termites is usually made by locating these mud tunnels rising from the ground into the affected structure. A fully qualified timber pest inspector will be able to spot any mud tunnels around your property.
The most destructive species live in large underground nests containing several million timber consuming insects. If there is a nest located near your home, problems arise. Your home provides natural shelter and a food source for the termites. A single colony may take advantage of food sources over an area as large as one hectare. Concrete slabs are not a barrier, as termites can infiltrate through cracks in your slab and gain access into your home.
Once in contact with the timber they excavate it from the inside out, often leaving only a thin veneer or crust on the outside. So everything looks fine, until your wall crumbles. If left unrestricted they can cause many thousands of dollars damage and become expensive to treat and manage. The best solution is proactive prevention, and Tommy
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