One of the best things about living in the nation’s capital is the close combination of nature and modern living. However – this comes at a cost: there’s often creepy crawlies lurking nearby, termites included. Canberra’s unique climate, characterized by warm summers and cool winters, provides an ideal setting for termites to thrive. The combination of temperature and humidity creates ideal conditions for termite activity, making the region particularly susceptible to infestations. This is further exacerbated by the mix of residential and green spaces with plenty of eucalypts in Canberra suburbs, creating the perfect hotspot for termite colonies.
Awareness of termites in Canberra can help you take a proactive approach to pest control before a termite attack causes structural damage to your home. In this article, we’ll explain the presence of termites in Canberra and surrounding areas, how to tell if you have termite activity in your home and what to do if you do have a termite problem.
Species Of Termites In Canberra
According to the ACT Government, there are approximately 30 types of termites in Canberra. Only a few termite species in Canberra, however, can cause damage to strong timber – ‘Coptotermes frenchi’ and ‘Nasutitermes exitiosus’.
These termites are generally found in moist, warm environments like basements, sub-floors, walls, timber frames and roof trusses. The wood-eating pests are also big fans of rotting timber, dead leaves, water leaks and stacked firewood or timber. According to ACT Pest Control, a termite control business in Canberra, one single mature subterranean termite nest can house over 60,000 termites.
Termites Can Cause Extensive Damage To Your Home Or Business
Termites, often called the ‘silent destroyers’, can cause extensive damage to your property over time. That’s why it’s important to schedule a termite inspection annually if your house or business is at risk of termites. In the ACT, the risks of termite damage are:
- Structural compromise: It goes without saying that termites eat wood. Over time, this can lead to weakened support beams, sagging floors, and even a risk of collapse in severe cases.
- Financial implications: Termite treatment and the damage caused by termite infestations can often lead to a hefty bill. Insurance coverage for termite damage is often limited, emphasizing the need for a proactive approach to termite control.
- Property depreciation: Prospective buyers are often cautious about investing in properties with a known termite history, meaning a home with a history of termite problems might experience a decline in market value.
- Hidden destruction: These pests work silently and out of sight, making it hard to detect termites in your home until the damage is already extensive. This emphasises the need to do an annual termite inspection in Canberra.
Signs Of Termite Infestation in Canberra Homes
When it comes to termites, early detection is key to protect your property and make sure a pest problem doesn’t get out of control. Here are the subtle signs to look out for that might indicate there are termites present in your home and you need to organise a termite inspection from pest control professionals:
- Mud tubes: Subterranean termites may construct mud tubes as protective tunnels between their colony and food sources. These pencil-sized tubes can be found along foundation walls, support beams, or other surfaces around the perimeter of your house.
- Wood damage: Termites feed on wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of wood or paint on the exterior. If wood sounds hollow or appears damaged when you tap or press on it, it could be a sign of termites.
- Discarded wings: After swarming, termites shed their wings. Finding discarded wings in windowsills, on the floor, or in spider webs is one way of identifying termites.
- Sawdust: If you notice sawdust-like residue on your floors, windowsill or walls – termites are likely involved.
- Tight-fitting doors and hard-to-open windows: Having a hard time opening doors and windows because they’re swelling or warping is often a sign that termites are affecting the structural integrity of the wood, and you need professional termite pest control.
How Much Does Termite Inspection & Canberra Termite Control Cost?
The average cost for a termite inspection in Canberra is $250 to $350. If a professional termite inspection turns up signs of activity, the first course of action is normally colony eradication. This is a whole treatment plan that includes a range of strategies, including baiting and soil treatment, with the goal of detecting and destroying the nest, which eradicates termites completely in most cases. Colony eradication in the Canberra region normally starts at $2000.
The next step is to put a chemical barrier in place to deter any future termites from entering your house. Chemical termite barriers can range from $2800 to $5000, depending on the size of your property and the commercial pest controller you use.
Guidelines For Termite Control: How To Prevent Termites
The more affordable option than pest control solutions is to take measures to prevent termites from entering your house in the first place and find termites as soon as possible. Here are some ways you can arm yourself with proactive termite protection:
- Proper ventilation: Termites thrive in damp, dark conditions. By keeping any attics and crawlspace well-ventilated with good airflow, you can make your house less conducive for termite activity.
- Reducing moisture: Termites love moisture, so one of the most surefire protection from termites is to fix any leaks promptly and ensure proper drainage around your house. Fixing leaky pipes, maintaining gutters, and directing water away from the foundation of your house can also discourage the pests.
- Wood treatment: There are plenty of wood treatments and coatings available that are specifically designed to deter termites. They add an extra layer of protection on wooden structures that can act as a deterrent.
- Regular landscaping: Overgrown foliage can create a bridge for termites to access your house. You can prevent this by trimming trees, shrubs, and vegetation around your house frequently.
- Annual inspection services: As we mentioned above, getting a professional pest control service to inspect your house at least every 12 months is important to make sure you can catch the wood-devouring pests before they do any extensive damage to your home.
