Australian homes are susceptible to termite attacks. In fact, it is expected that every home will one day be attacked by termites and it is just a matter of time before they experience such a problem. To protect your home from problems caused by termites, you will need a good understanding of how they thrive and how they can be treated.
Common Types of Termites
Termites can be classified in two general groups: subterranean and drywood. As the name suggests, subterranean termites form their nests below the soil. They form mounds leading to wooden portions of the house, including the wood stumps, door posts, doors and windows. Drywood termites are different from the subterranean type in that they are attracted to dry wood or wood with low moisture. They can be quite tolerant of dry environments for long periods of time.
The more common species of termites in Australia include the Coptotermes acinacirformis, which is the typical culprit for structural damage in homes. The Coptotermes frenchi is a related species, known to be the most destructive species in New South Wales. Other species include the Nasutitermes walkeri and Nasutitermes exitiosus, both of which are subterranean types that bring considerable damage, although not as extensive as the damage caused by the Coptotermes species.
The Schedorhinotermes intermedius is commonly found in Queensland and NSW and can be as destructive the as the Coptotermes species, although they are most attracted to hardwoods and sapwoods. The Mastotermes darwiniensis is also found in Queensland, particularly in the northern part. This species is considered to be the most destructive among all termite species found in Australia. This species can attack trees, crops, property structures and even bridges.
Stopping Termite Attacks
Part of the solution to eliminating termites from the home is professional termite control. At Defence Pest Management, our focus is to help property owners feel safe from termites. We provide reliable termite inspections essential in stopping termites from invading the home. Inspections form the first line of defence against termites aiming to invade the property.
The surroundings must be modified so as to make it less attractive to termites. This includes cleaning your garden and the perimeter of your house free from wood piles, mulch and bark. It is also important that there is adequate subfloor ventilation in your house to prevent accumulation of moisture which attracts termite attacks.
To learn more about how Defence Pest Management can help you deal with existing termite infestation.
