subject: Termite Treatment And Inspections Perth Western Australia [print this page] There are many myths and inaccuracies about Perths termite problems, and the best methods of termite control in our WA climate. Make no mistake termites or as they are known by many White Ants are prevalent in Perth and the surrounding areas, in fact the CSIRO deems Perth as a Very High Hazard Area for termite attack.
There are 350 species of termites in Australia and out of this number only a few are destructive to homes, causing in excess of 100 million dollars damage in Australia every year. In Perth the main species we tend deal with is the subterranean species Coptotermes which travel underground to forage for food. This species are known to travel up to 100 metres from their nests in search of food sources, often if above ground in little mud tubes know as workings or leads, which maintain ideal conditions for their survival and protect the colony from predators.
Termites are social insects; the colony is made up of
Workers: -Tasked with providing food for the colony by destroying wood or cellulose.
Soldiers:- Tasked with protecting the colony defined by their brown heads and mandibles.
Alates:- Flying reproductive tasked with establishing new colonies
Nymphs:- Termite young yet to mature into their place in the colony.
King
Queen.
Perth Termite Facts and Myths
Lets dispel a few myths and go over some facts about termites to help you make informed decisions when looking for Perth termite treatment or termite protection.
Facts :
Termites are attracted to moisture and timber in contact with the ground making our reticulated mulched gardens against our homes in Perth ideal conditions.
Will forage up to 100mts from their nest.
Will eat and destroy all timbers including jarrah, cardboard or anything containing cellulose, and have also been known to attack wiring, plasterboard, and insulation, polystyrene.
Termites need only a 1.2mm gap / crack in concrete to access through and even been known to widen a gap once given and edge to gnaw on.
Create mud tubes / leads to safely move around above the soil line.
Are most active in the warmer months.
Termites are attracted to CO2 and require 98% humidity and an ideal temp is 38c within their workings
Termites are masters in concealing themselves due to their reluctance to expose themselves to our atmospheric conditions.
Myths :
My house was attacked because we bought home infested firewood! Termites because they are social insects cannot be transferred from one site to another making that termite riddled firewood perfectly safe to bring home.
Termites can be controlled by chemical treatment in your roof! Wrong treatment must be at ground level to prevent access as this is where they come from.
A brick house on a concrete slab is safe from termites! ... What about your roof, cupboards or timber floors on concrete?
Termites dont attack jarrah or hard woods wrong in fact their natural food source in Perth is the gum tree which is a hard wood and they use the lignin in hard woods to strengthen their workings.
12 monthly treatments are required for Termite protection! ... Incorrect most Termite chemicals provide between 5 10 years protection if applied correctly and not disturbed, however annual termite inspections are recommended in Perth.
If I treat my house form termites they wont damage anything else in the yard! Incorrect chemicals are barriers only and will only provide protection where they are placed.
Termite protection in Perth as with any other state of Australia should involve a managed approach to ensure protection of what is often your biggest asset. Here are some key elements that should be considered.
Termite inspections
Termite inspections in Perth should be conducted on your property at a minimum of every 12 months.
Inspectors do not have x ray vision and therefore this should not be relied upon as a standalone method of management they are simply like pressing the button on your camera.
Inspections have limitations, floor coverings, wall linings, insulation and ducting etc.
Inspectors should have experience and carry out their inspection in accordance with the procedures within the Australian Standards.
Your report should not be a one page document but multiple pages detailing not just whether termites were present but conditions that are likely to attract and areas that the homeowner can remedy.
Termite Treatments
There are really only two methods of protecting your assets . via chemical barrier treatments or pro-active termite baiting systems. In an ideal world where the budget permits installation of both systems is suggested in fact the Australian Standards 3660.2 recommends it. Perth now has access to lox toxic or non-toxic solutions which are readily available to the market place to cater for every ones needs.
Termite Barrier Treatment Considerations
All good treatments should include a full detailed initial termite inspection.
Chemical lifespan, mode of action and toxicity are individual considerations.
Areas of chemical application remember these products work by isolating a structure so are only as effective as the completeness and continuousness of the treatment.
All homes are different so termite treatment in should be designed to your homes specific construction, and the entry points it provides for termites. No over phone quotes!
Treatments should be carried out as described in Australian Standards 3660.2
Treatment will generally take on average between 5 and 10 hours dependant on the size of the structure.
Price often dictates how many structure or entry points to your home are covered with any chemical treatment; ask yourself how expensive the treatment is as compared to the price you pay each year for building insurance which does not cover termite attack.
Ensure the operator attending on the day has a reasonable amount of experience, (at least 2 years) and is licensed by our WA Health Department.
Judge the company by their ability to educate you about the treatment they are trying to sell.
Termite Baiting Systems
All good installations of Termite Baiting systems should encompass a full detailed termite inspection.
It is important that areas of activity are not disturbed prior to the installation, to improve the likely hood of bait uptake.
Stations should be placed at approx. 3mts apart around the structure and should be placed in areas with a high likely hood of attracting termites.
A baiting system is only as good as the reliability of the inspector or company servicing the system. Poor inspections or a lack of a consistent frequency (minimum 2 monthly) will render the system ineffective.
Above ground installation of bait stations directly to activity should be inspected every 4 weeks and must be able to remain undisturbed.
Stations should ideally allow the introduction of bait without the requirement to disturb the termites.
Each inspection / visit by the pest control company should go hand in hand with a report detailing the findings of the inspection.
Any baiting system should be backed by a quality timber replacement warranty that ensures if termites bypass the stations that the damage done is covered and repaired at no cost to you.
Like any Purchase it really pays for you to do your research and ensure you make decisions based on facts and a sound knowledge base. Remember price should not be your only motivating factor especially when trying to protect whats generally your biggest asset, in a Perth climate considered by the experts as having a very high Termite hazard rating.
