TERMITE TROUBLE: HOW TO AVOID A DISASTER

Termites – the destructive pests everyone dreads finding in their home or business. Unfortunately, many don’t know about their existence in the space until it’s too late. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to prevent it from getting to this point.

According to Blake Rigger from Gold Pest Solutions, termites damage or infest around one in five homes, and cause around $22 billion worth of damage worldwide.

With over 300 species of termite in Australia, and each queen laying one egg every 15 seconds, it’s integral to stay aware.

“It is very important to stay on top of termite problems as insurance companies don’t cover termite damage, and if they eat structural beams it’s very expensive to replace and can become very dangerous in windy weather,” he said.

when it comes to spotting them early, or making your house look a little less appealing for the creepy crawlies.

“Signs of termites can normally be found around the edge of a concrete slab – a mud tubing will come up the edge like a straw and they will make entry that way,” Rigger said.

“Other things that will make them choose your home over others can be decaying wood left on soil surfaces, old tree stumps or water leaks in or around the home.”

Additional signs that termites may have already invaded your space includes paint peeling from the wall, laminated or wooden floorboards beginning to curve, holes or discolouration in drywall, and a hollow sound when tapping wood. But, nothing can beat regular checks, with Rigger highly recommending having someone take a look at your home yearly.

“You can get already active bait stations installed around the home with a bait in them, but they are required to be checked every year,” he said.

“That will let you know they are there before they eat the home, and also helps getting rid of them.”

–Cassidy Pearce

Despite it not being their peak season, with termites really coming out to play in the year after a fire, it’s just as possible to face termites in your home at any point in time, including the team at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre who are currently undergoing a very public battle with the insects over some of their courts. Although they share many similarities to ants, termites can’t stand the light, and opt to instead make mud tubes to travel and source food.

It’s for this reason that looking to the ground is your best option