Sometimes called ‘white ants’, termites are considered beneficial in nature as they feed off dead trees and convert them into organic matter. However, for these crawlers, the wood in buildings and other structures are just as appetising to them.
Out of hundreds of termite species all throughout Australia, about 20 of those can cause serious damages and insurmountable expenses as they are capable of eating through solid wood in buildings and homes. There is an ideal temperature and humidity that these particular species of termites require and most of the time, the timbers used in your home and garden provide just a fitting environment for them to thrive and survive.
Strategically Designing Your Home to Minimise Termite Damage
- Designing the concrete slab with edges exposed for easy inspection.
- Using less timber in building the structure.
- Laying timber floor with access points for under-floor inspection.
- Installing an interwinding system under the concrete slab to allow easy application of chemical barriers.
As you can tell, these measures are mostly barriers to hinder termites from entering your premises. As a matter of fact, there are 2 types of barriers that you can use: the physical and the chemical.
Physical Barriers
- Metal Shields or Stainless Steel Mesh – during construction, sheets of fine stainless steel mesh can be installed under metal slabs and in external walls.
- Granite Chip Barriers – these stone barriers are graded to a size and shape which cannot be transported by termites. The spaces between its particles are too small for termites to pass through. Stone barriers can be installed underneath the concrete slabs or surrounding it. It can also be installed beneath a suspended floor.
Chemical Barriers
During construction, termicide is applied to the soil under the slab and around the pipes, footings, conduits and other structures for a vertical barrier. For a horizontal barrier, loosened soil around the perimeter, including around pipes and service facilities, is treated during construction.
Many new buildings, homes and other structures use a termicide-treated layer of soil underneath or surrounding them. When used together with the physical barriers, it will form an unified barrier.
Other times, people consider using treated timbers to construct houses, fences and garden structures.
Then again, you must be aware of the effects of these chemicals to both the environment and your family’s health. It is recommended that only licensed pest controllers carry out the soil and timber treatment to ensure the work is done safely and effectively. Rid your home of these nasty creatures. Call us on 1300 304 725 today.
