Frequently Asked Questions
What is a termite?
A termite is a small insect that is pale white to yellowish in colour. It is a highly evolved insect that works in a complex social structure known as a colony.
They work from a central nest location working through a series of mud encrusted tunnels/galleries. They will often conceal themselves & gain access into a building at a subterranean (underground) level. They will then excavate & consume timbers within a home often leaving just the outside layer of timber.
Is a termite, a white ant?
Yes. The slang term white ant has long been used to describe termites. However termites are more related to cockroaches than any other insect.
What should I do if I find termites?
Do not panic, do not disturb the termites. Never attempt to treat termites yourself. The termite damage you see is often a very small amount of activity compared to the potentially millions of termites located within a nest that can be up to 50 meters from the damage/activity you are looking at. Call a professional & book a termite inspection.
Will you be spraying any chemicals during your inspection?
No. The inspection involves inspecting every accessible area both inside & around your home. If termite activity is found then a separate contract would be entered into. This is known as a “Subterranean Termite Treatment Proposal In Accordance With The Australian Standards – AS3660.2”. With this information you can make an informed decision in regards to how you would like to protect your home against termites.
Is there anything I should do before the termite inspection?
The termite inspection involves inspecting every accessible area both inside & around your home. The more areas that we can gain access to the better. For example if the garage or an understairs cupboard is full of extensively stored goods, it will restrict what an inspector may see. Thoroughness is the key to any successful inspection.
How long should a termite inspection take?
Based on a 3-4 bedroom home. A termite inspection should take approximately 2 hours.
How can termites be treated?
Generally termites can be treated either by a chemical method or with the use of a baiting system.
Chemical methods – When termites have been located within the building it is important to eradicate this activity first before any further preventative work can be performed externally. This involves the use of a traditional chemical dusting or a combination of a chemical liquid/foam application applied directly to the termite workings inside the building. It is then reassessed in approximately 21- 30 days. If the internal treatment is successful the next step is to provide a continuous external chemical treated zone around the perimeter of your home to protect it from future attack.
Baiting Systems – The most recent developments in termite management systems involves the use of termite baiting & interception systems. This involves the placement of low toxicity baited above ground termite stations to areas of termite activity located (when applicable) &/or the placement of in-ground termite stations around the perimeter of your building to intercept & bait termite activity. This has proven to be a very successful termite management system as it eliminates the termite activity right back to the source of the problem i.e the termite nests.
Can you just come out & treat my termites without a termite inspection?
No. This is possibly one of the most important decisions you will ever make in regards to your home. Before any termite activity can be treated it is very important to have a termite inspection performed to Australian Standards. Think of this as an initial assessment of the overall scenario & what needs to done next. This typically involves an inspection of the internal accessible sections of the building including the roof void(s), subfloors – (an accessible crawl space under the building if applicable), the external walls of the building, the grounds of the property up to 30 metres from the main building including trees, tree stumps, timbers in contact with the soil such as fences, landscaping timbers & retaining walls. The time taken to perform a termite inspection will vary due to different types of building constructions & the actual size of the building. Typically a 3-4 bedroom home should take approximately 2 hours to complete.