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Termite Control
In Australia there are over 300 different species of termite. Of these only six species are largely responsible for attacking timber in service such as our homes and commercial premises. The damage bill alone can amount to over $100 million each year. This damage bill is greater than that caused by fire.
Termite control can be referenced in the Australian Standard™ AS 3660 – Termite Management for Subterranean Termites.
Termite biology
Termites are social insects and live in colonies which can number many 100’s of thousands of individuals. Each colony has a king and queen. The queen can produce up to 2,000 eggs a day. The workers and soldiers are castes most commonly encountered when termite activity is discovered which can be up to 100 metres from the nest . It is the workers that are responsible for all the damage to timber and other cellulose food sources. They work 24 hours a day, destroying your building from inside the wood. Chances are you’ll see no evidence of their work until something gives way. The soldiers are present to protect the colony from attack by predators such as spiders and ants.
In spring, termite colonies release winged reproductives (swarmers) which establish new colonies. The swarmers are very noticeable on warm, humid evenings and leave their wings as calling cards on window sills and around lights to warn homeowners of their presence.
If you find termite activity DO NOT DISTURB IT!
DO NOT spray termites or their workings with household insecticides.
Call a professional pest management company (Ant-Eater Environmental Services) to investigate the extent of the activity and determine the best termite management solution for your property.
Termite Inspections
An annual termite inspection is one of the best investments you can make to give yourself peace-of-mind that your home is not the current “restaurant of the month” for termites.
A large termite colony can cause a significant amount of damage within 12 months and more regular inspections may be warranted in areas of higher termite risk. ie. Bushland and /or large trees in close proximity to the house or a history of ongoing termite problems.
Termite inspections can be referenced in the Australian Standard™ AS 3660.2 – 2000 'Termite Management Part 2: In and around existing buildings and structures - guidelines.'
Termite Baiting and Monitoring
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Termite baiting and monitoring is the latest technology available to control termites by eliminating the termite colony.
The Sentricon II Advanced Termite Control System has been used extensively for the past ten years with great success. Other systems Exterra and Nemesis are now available. These systems utilizes the natural behaviour of termites and turn it against themselves. When termites are located in the building structure or in the purpose designed monitoring stations they are fed Termite Bait, a food source they find particularly palatable. The termite workers feed on the bait and take it back to the colony to feed other colony members including the queen and developing young.
The toxicant in the bait is an insect growth regulator which inhibits the termites ability to produce chitin (a skin substance) preventing them from moulting and consequently they die, leading to the elimination of the entire colony.
The monitoring stations are serviced regularly to detect further activity by other foraging termite colonies that may be in the area and in close proximity to the structure.
Chemical control using dusts
Control of termites infesting structures can be achieved by the application of slow acting insecticidal dusts. In many cases the termite nest is not controlled by this application technique and lives on to reinfest the structure.
Chemical control using liquid termiticide barriers.
Chemical barriers have been the mainstay of termite control for many years. A chemical barrier is just as the name implies and requires the even distribution of chemical throughout the soil under and / or around the structure. An effective barrier relies on having the soil profile thoroughly treated with the chemical and then it not being disturbed by pets, tradespeople or gardening / landscaping activities.
Chemical barrier treatments do not eliminate the termite colony but aim to protect the structure which they surround.
For more info on the The Sentricon II Advanced Termite Control System