5 Things You Can
Do to Prevent Termites From Making Irreparable Damage
Termites are
nature’s agents of decomposition, consuming cellulose from dead wood and
converting them into nutrient-rich soil via termite excrement. Termites,
however, are far from friendly when it comes to human structures, as they
readily feed on timbers like they do on cellulose-based materials found at
home. The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association estimates that $1
billion are lost yearly to termites and other pests, making termite control
Adelaide indispensable to home maintenance. Further, because termite
infestation does not constitute an unforeseen force of nature, termite damage
is solely assumed by homeowners and not by insurance companies. Below are some
steps you can take to minimize out-of-pocket expenses and maximize your home
value. 
- Understand termite biology. As with any pest, termite control
Adelaide starts with understanding the enemy: what it feeds on, where it
lives, how it breeds. Knowing how termites thrive will help you in making
plans on how to deny them food, drive them away out of their habitat, and
interfere with their breeding habits.
- Take preemptive action. The best prevention starts as you lay
your home’s foundation. However, if you have already done so and are
well-settled but suffer from termite infestation, it would help to deny
termites entry. Like rodents, termites enter the structure through gaps,
cracks, openings or holes in the exterior wall. To keep them outside,
caulk these cracks to ensure a continuous barrier. Install small-mesh
screens on vents or crawlspaces to prevent entry not only of termites but
also of winged pests.
- Make it difficult for termites to thrive. Termite control
Adelaide entails taking away anything that encourages the termites’
population growth. Termites feed on wood and any cellulose-rich material,
so using wood-free implements during construction or coating your wood
panels with termite-resistant covers would make it challenging for them to
store food. (Bear in mind however that termites can travel hundreds of
feet in order to find food.) Remove kindling or firewood away from your
house’s foundation or crawl space, or dead plant material like stumps and
roots away from the structure. Because termites also like moisture, leaky
faucets, downspouts and sprinklers only create conditions ideal for their
growth, so repair any leaks immediately.
- Introduce natural predators. Aardvarks, snakes and Matabele
ants can keep termite population in check, but termite control Adelaide
using these predators maybe difficult to set-up in urban areas. A more
attractive option would be to employ plant repellants. Eucalyptus trees
have thick resins that slow down the digestion of cellulose on termites so
they make good material for timber, if not planted on site. The Emo bush
and its family produce beautiful flowers but lethal extracts that are
natural termite repellant, so they can replace unsightly predators
instead.
- Call in the professionals. When the extent of damage appears to
escalate despite all your efforts toward termite control Adelaide, seek
professional intervention from Innovative Pest Consultants who employ
safe, efficient and least intrusive methods in pest management. Remember,
controlled substances used as termiticides can only be licensed to pest
managers because of their potential hazard to humans and the environment
in general. Further, poisonous substances should only be used as a last
recourse and never as a cure-all to termite problem.
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About UsInnovative Pest Consultants was founded by Mr Neil Raw in September 2003.
For over 30 years Neil
has worked in Pest Control in both South Australia and New South Wales,
for various companies. During this time he had felt that there was a
degree of professionalism and customer care missing from within the
industry.
Upon the formation of
Innovative Pest Consultants, Neil set out to provide the best customer
service to his valued clientele. With a belief that genuine concern,
should and would be shown to all his clientele - for it is their valued
homes and properties that we are supplying services to - Neil
implemented a high standard of professionalism and customer service in
all dealings with prospective and existing clients. ServicesElimination and removal of pests
Innovative Pest Consultants specialises in the elimination and/or removal of the following pests:
- Termites
- Ants
- Rodents such as rats and mice
- Bees
- Spiders
- Possums
- Fleas
- European Wasps
- Cockroaches
- Fabric Pests (see fact sheet for limitations)
- Birds, including Pigeons and Starlings in roof cavities and ceilings
Treatment methods
For information on the
methods used to treat each pest, go to the fact pages on each pest by
selecting the name in the list above.
Preventative consultations
In order to prevent further or future attack by pest, organise a consultation with a highly qualified and experienced Contact us now. |
