A Guide To Termite Protection

Protect Your Home From Termites

We’ve all grown up with termite horror stories, but it’s still extremely common to underestimate just how much damage these little pests can cause. Once termites crawl their way into your walls and foundation, the amount of damage they can do in a small amount of time is immense.

Termite protection is extremely important because you run the risk of literally losing your home without it. While you can certainly treat termite issues, it can sometimes take years to eliminate them entirely. Instead, take the necessary protective measures to prevent these pests from infesting your home in the first place.

Our friends from Pro Pest Control Gold Coast will talk about all the different kinds of termite protections. Plus, the regulations for each state of Australia. They will also explain why termite defense works, common signs of termite infestations, and how much inspections and treatments can cost you.

Types of Termite Protection

A few different types of termite protection are considered very effective. The first of those is a chemical termite barrier treatment. This treatment is a spray that is applied around the perimeter of your property, especially where termites are present. It can also be applied through holes drilled into the concrete on your property.

Another common termite protection method is a termite baiting system. Bait systems lure termites away from your home, giving you a window of time to destroy mud tubes and termite nests. You can also utilize a barrier treatment on the area if they try to come back. Termite baiting stations come in a variety of sizes and should be checked every 4-8 weeks over the course of 12 months.

Depending on where you’re located, the regulations for termite pest control vary. Let’s briefly cover the regulations for each state of Australia.

New South Wales Regulations

The termite regulations for NSW place the responsibility for termite risk management on the builder of a new home or renovation. The termite systems used for a new build or renovation can be any of the following:

• Chemical barriers
• Physical barriers
• Termite resistant materials
• Minimum termite risk construction
• Landscape considerations

The termite risk management system used will depend on whether your home will be built on a concrete slab on the ground or a raised/suspended floor.

Queensland Regulations

Termites are most common in North Queensland and require more termite regulation than other parts of the state. At the very least, homeowners are required to treat key areas of their homes when dealing with termites. These areas are as follows:

• Structural elements (roofing and floor structure)
• Door jambs
• Window frames and reveals
• Architraves and skirting

Adequate termite risk management systems are required to be put into place when building or renovating a home in Queensland. These TRM systems include a monolithic concrete slab, approved aerosol chemicals, graded stone, and stainless steel mesh. There must also be a durable TRM system notice somewhere on your property.

Victoria Regulations

When building a home in Victoria where termites are an issue, you must have a TRM system in place. You can use just about any risk management system available in physical or chemical form as long as approved. When designing your home, utilize a termite-resistant primary structure or specify another system during the construction process.

Tree stumps and other wooded plants should be removed from the property where your home will stand and the immediate space surrounding your home. This prevents cracks from forming and termites from multiplying.

Before you buy or sell a home, it’s a good idea to have a professional inspector come out and inspect it. You must contact a licensed pest control company whenever there are termite infestation.

Western Australia Regulations

A proper termite risk management system is a major requirement in most building. This includes physical or chemical barriers to treat and prevent infestations from happening or getting worse.

Chemical baits are a common choice amongst Western Australians and effectively remove termites from home temporarily to allow homeowners to destroy the nest and treat the area.

A durable notice must be placed somewhere on the property with the termite risk management system used on the property.

South Australia Regulations

All new home or business builds must have a proper termite risk management system in place in South Australia. Owners are responsible for maintaining the structure and taking preventative termite measures for existing buildings.

All buildings need to have their TRM system explicitly stated somewhere on the property. Only authorised and approved TRM is valid.

Tasmania Regulations

Tasmania follows the general Australian regulations for termites, but they aren’t a major issue in this Australian state. With that said, new build homes and businesses must still have a proper TRM system in place that is explicitly stated somewhere on the property.

Why Does Termite Defense Work?

1 in every 3 homes in Australia is vulnerable to termite infestations. Because of that, Australian homeowners must utilize preventative measures to avoid coming into contact with a termite infestation. Termite defense works to eliminate this issue as you cut off most of a termite’s access to your home.

Common Sign of Termites in Your Home

The most common sign of a termite issue in your home, next to physically seeing the pest, is if you see mud tubes along your foundation. Termites will create these tubes and climb on top of each other to make it past your concrete foundation and into a gap within your home’s exterior.

Inspection and Treatment Costs

A termite inspection will usually cost a homeowner anywhere between $250 and $500 depending on the extent of the inspection and where you’re located. To treat for termites, you’ll be looking at anywhere from $2000 to $4000.

Conclusion

While you may not think termites will be a major issue, that mindset could cause your home to literally crumble. A proper termite risk management system in place is important to keep your home safe.