Termites, also known as silent destroyers, invade your home, ruin your belongings and leave when you have nothing to protect. The time you learn about their presence your property is beyond recovery. If you have stayed in Melbourne for a while, you already know about their severity. It happens due to the temperate weather that makes them comfortable for breeding and nesting. As they do not make sound or visible damage until extremely infested, you need precautions to avoid them. Here, we will discuss some preventive measures against termites in Melbourne.

Understanding Termites in Melbourne

Termites feed on cellulose, found abundantly in wood and other organic matter. One of the most common types of termites in Melbourne is subterranean termites. This species prefers the city’s temperate climate, helping them in growing their colonies.

Risks of Melbourne Homes:

Climate

Melbourne’s warm and humid conditions are ideal for termite invasion year-round.

Building Materials

The Melbourne homes are mostly made up of timber, which is the easiest target for termites.

Soil Types

Termites prefer moist soil. The Melbourne weather helps keep the surroundings high in moisture, creating a favourable place for termites to infest.

Signs of Termite Infestation

You need to know whether your home is free from termites or not to take necessary measures against these pests. Therefore, you also need to read the common signs of termite infestations.

Mud Tubes

Termites build tunnels made up of mud to travel between colonies and food sources. These mud tunnels can be seen on your wooden items, floors, and soil.

Hollow-Sounding Wood

By tapping on wood, if the sound seems hollow, termites might have infested that wood.

Discarded Wings

The reproductive termites; Swarmers shed their wings around their colonies. So, if you find them, you have a termite colony nearby.

Frass

You may find termite droppings or excretes resemble small wood pellets around infested areas. If there is any wooden item nearby, you can check the item to confirm termite infestations.

Steps to Protect Your Home from Termites

Eliminate Moisture

Moisture is the key ingredient to termite infestation. Therefore, keeping buildings moisture-free can help in avoiding termites. Make sure to fix the leaky pipes and faucets as soon as possible. Check the drainage system around the building for water leakage. Also, using dehumidifiers in basements or garages can reduce moisture.

Maintain Your Yard

If you have a yard or garden that can be a possible entry point for termites. So, you must maintain your garden thoroughly. If there are dead trees, stumps or wooden debris, remove them soon. If you want to keep furniture in the garden, try to avoid wooden materials. Also, keep a distance between the garden and your building. Cut the long branches and trees on time so that they do not touch your home from any point.

Regular Inspections

Termites are one of the sneakiest pests that are hard to identify. You must hire a professional licensed pest control expert to get your home and property inspected. Melbourne homes need mandatory annual termite inspections to catch the first sign of termites. Regular inspections by licensed pest control professionals are the first line of defence against termites. In Melbourne, annual termite inspections are recommended to catch early signs of infestation.

Use Termite-Resistant Materials

Even though most buildings in Melbourne are of timber, you can choose to alter the material while renovating. This time, choose other materials instead of timber, as wood is termite’s primary source of food. You can also look for other termite-resistant materials for building homes. Some of the options are treated timber or metal frames or termite-proof coating over wooden structures.

Install Physical Barriers

For this, you need professional help, as physical barrier installation requires extreme knowledge. Also, it is done during the construction of new buildings. A mesh of stainless steel or sand barriers can stop termites from infestation. However, if you want a long-lasting solution, you can also ask for chemical barriers from your termite control team.

Use Baiting Systems

Using baits to lure termites and eliminate them from their colonies is one of the most popular and eco-friendly solutions. In this process, baits are placed around the whole building or your home. Then, when the termites carry that bait inside their colonies, the bait acts to eradicate them.

Seek Professional Treatment

Earlier we have already said that termite infestation is hard to detect without any prior experience. Even if you find them, the situation may be beyond your control. So, it is better to seek professional help and get them treated right away. Furthermore, the pest control Melbourne agencies are highly skilled and offer extensive termite control services. You can get the best fumigation for severe termite infestation, heat treatments for killing termites without any chemicals, or chemical treatments to create a protective barrier.

In short, professional termite control is better than any DIY treatments. Get in touch with your trusted service controller and get your property checked immediately.

Importance of Early Detection and Preventative Tips against Termites

Melbourne is prone to termite damage and the repair is extremely costly. It may cost you around $5,000 to $30,000 to repair the damaged property. Therefore, early detection is crucial to prevent structural and furniture damage.

Some professional tips to avoid termites:

• Avoid Wood-to-Ground Contact
• Monitor Firewood Storage
• Keep Gutters Clean
• Seal Cracks and Gaps

Conclusion

Protecting your home from termites requires regular inspection and maintenance along with professional help in Melbourne. By learning about termites and their behaviours, you get the upper hand in combating termite infestation. So, contact your local pest controller and hear what they have to say about your property.