Tuesday, July 29, 2008

10 Must Know Termite Facts

By Darren K. Thompson

Termites! They are everywhere and in Australia they are a real problem. A little known fact is that there are areas in Sydney that are termite-prone. If your home is located in one of these zones then you should have regular inspections scheduled. Another thing to keep in mind is if you are planning on purchasing a new home in Sydney then you need to make sure that the previous owners has been working to combat any such termite problem, because the last thing you need is to take on a big problem that can get much worse.

The fact of the matter is if you live in the Sydney area, you must be aware of the potential problems associated with termites, no matter whether you rent or own your home. Some people think they can save money by avoiding inspections. Well here are 10 facts that may just let you know what you are up against.

1. Termites are a major problem in Australia. If you have a home that is termite infested then the damage they can cause can be financially crippling. It is proven that there are millions of dollars in losses ever year in Australia due to termite damage.

2. On an average, about 20% of Australian homes are damaged by termites. It is estimated there are 130,000 new attacks every year.

3. Flood, fire and storms are bad, however the loss realized from termite damage is 5 times that of the other three hazards combined.

4. The most notorious termite species present in Sydney are Coptotermes Acinaciformis (subterranean) and Kalotermes (dry wood termites). These termites are robust and known to attack both timber-framed as well as brick-and-steel-framed homes with equal gusto.

5. Termites develop a liking for building materials that are increasingly used in the construction of homes.

6. Termites have appetites that are phenomenal and a single average sized colony can destroy the floor of a room in just about 3 months.

7. Termites do not stop when they eat the wood leading inside. Once there they begin to eat other things such as shoes and clothing, your furniture and even the electrical wiring.

8. If you discover a colony of termites in your home, you should not try to destroy them on your own as the will only come back stronger than before. The reason is that they can burrow into the soil to live and then return because they know where their food source is in your home. You should make sure to let a professional take care of it for you.

9. You may already know that you can determine if you have termites by tapping on wood with the handle of a screwdriver. However, even the smallest of taps could actually break through the termite-chewed wood. This can disturb the termites and make it harder to treat them.

10. Not just anyone is qualified to treat termites, only those that have experience and have been trained in the specialized area of termites.

Well, the fact is if you have a home or are planning to buy one in Sydney, you need to hire an experienced pest control agency that knows termites like the back of its hands. If you don't, you will compromise on your health and wealth by ignoring or avoiding the problem.

About the Author:

No comments: