Layman's Guide on Termites

Termites can be found throughout the tropical and temperate areas of the world. Whether you live in Tokyo, Paris, Cairo or Meekathara in the outback of Western Australia, you are sharing your world with termites. They are found on ships at sea, in coal mines deep underground and the tops of the highest trees. They can cause damage in a wide range of human activity from crops to forestry to building and even sports. (Honolulu had to demolish their major ball stadium because of termite damage.) They possibly emit more greenhouse gasses than all the world's people and cattle herds. It has been estimated that termites constitute at least 15% of the total weight of all animals (including people, cattle, fish whales and other insects) in the tropical areas of the world. Given the size of a termite, that's a lot of termites. In developed countries located in the appropriate climate zones they cause more damage to homes than fire, storms, earthquakes and hurricanes put together. One would think that something so ubiquitous and dangerous would be understood and ever present in the minds of everyone and yet they are so secretive, most people would not recognise them and don't think about them until they face financial loss.

How does it affect you?

It is difficult to quantify termite economic risk worldwide but some data are available. It is known that there are areas of low termite pressure, moderate termite pressure, high termite pressure and very high termite pressure. In the state of New South Wales, Australia, a survey many years ago revealed one house in four would be effected by termites in its life. The majority of homes in that state do not fall within the very high termite pressure zone which occurs from the northern N.S.W. coast up through Queensland and across the top end of Australia. The recent population shifts into Queensland coastal areas means the majority of these people have yet to feel the true impact of living with termites and some current controversy represents only a preview of what is to come.

Risk of Termites   

Termite Pressure Map

Where's the cavalry?

For those who await technology to come to the rescue, a word of caution. Termites have survived millions of years and have seen the dinosaurs come and go. They serve a critical function in the environment for which there are no obvious alternatives. It is unlikely that there will ever be any "magic bullets" developed as the environmental consequences will be worse than the termites. The realistic prospects are that we will have to learn to live with them. Risk can be managed just as you can manage risk when you drive a car but no matter how careful you are, you cannot eliminate the risk. To take the road hazard analogy a little further, just as you cannot rely on someone else to protect your safety on the road, it is down to the individual to work with the experts and the management systems available, to ultimately make the management system effective.

Some simple precautions you can take to manage termite risk.

If you live in an area where termites are active and most people do, you should take active steps to manage the situation. Termites are not just a problem for timber homes. Although they primarily feed on wood they can cause irreparable damage to a wide range of materials including paper, vinyl and fabric materials. In addition to destruction of building components including wallboards, stairs, door jambs and window reveals, cupboards, skirtings and the likes, termites often damage building contents such as furnishings, books and a wide range of stored goods. To assist you in minimising the termite risk to your property including personal goods and the save the inconvenience you may suffer as a result of termite damage to your home Direct Pest Control suggests some steps you can take.

• Termites often enter buildings from the outside perimeter. The edge of the slab is where they can be most readily seen when they build their mud shelter tubes from the ground into the building. You should check this slab edge area or foundation walls at least fortnightly for termite shelter tubes. Sub-floor areas should be accessible and well ventilated. Every pier and link between the house above and the ground should be checked for leads on all sides, as often as possible.

This is especially important if the structure is only protected by a passive physical barrier system such as stainless steel mesh, aluminium or other metal shielding (including ant caps) and graded stone barriers. Also included in these passive barriers are some chemical barriers that are held in a matrix such as Kordon (registered TM.) Passive barriers are not designed to kill termites, just to force them to track on the outside of the perimeter. If they succeed in this the barrier has been effective but it is all in vain if nobody looks for them.

• The outside perimeter (and underneath, if applicable) of the building should be kept clear of plants, stored goods, fill or any other objects or materials that could visually obscure the entry of termites to the building. Early detection is your best defence against potential damage.
• Do not, nor allow any other person, to carry out any alterations or additions to the building or adjoining soil, paths or attached structures without first checking with a well-respected termite professional.
• Check with a well-respected termite professional before attaching anything such as a pathway, fence or pergola to the building or other building attachments.
• Untreated timber should never be in contact with the ground. Remove any wood scraps, wood chip, dead stumps and untreated landscaping timber from within 50 metres of the building.
• Seek repair leaky shower stalls, dripping taps, overflowing gutters, downpipes, tanks, leaky and plumbing as soon as it becomes evident. Hot water overflow and roof water waste should be away from structures.
• Gardens built next to protected structures work significantly against effective termite management and are not recommended. If you plan remove such a garden please contact a well-respected termite professional as this action may interfere with an existing chemical barrier. DO NOT ADD ANY GARDENS NEXT TO THE BUILDING.
• Keep an eye out for any termite activity. In the event you see anything you suspect such as collapsing timber, stains, or mudding you should contact a well-respected termite professional immediately. Do not interfere with the suspected activity.
• Finally, despite your best efforts, termites have many clever ways of making hidden entry. A trained and experienced eye and a more detailed approach including the use of high tech tools can often detect either their hidden presence or structural or environmental developments that will assist or invite termite infestation. It is therefore most important that you have a thorough termite inspection of your building and the surrounds carried out by a well-respected termite professional at least every year.

Your attention to all of these details is vitally important to the success of any Termite Management Program.