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Termite Facts you need to know !!!
The most common termites ,that attack houses in victoria is the sub-terranean termite.
The most common species: Coptoterme Acinaciformus, Coptoterme Frenchii.
High risk areas are sandy soiled and heavily treed.
High risk properties are heavily treed close to the house.
Most people mistake the common harmless dampwood termite in the garden, with the sub-terranean termite.
One termite colony can hold up to 1 million termites.
Sub-terranean termites primarily nest in eucalyptus trees, and then forage out into a house, increasing there food source for the nest.But other trees are:elms,silky oak,pinus,general fruit trees,melaleuca,tea-tree, and they can adapt to most trees.
Concrete attracts moisture and moisture attracts termites to it.Other moisture attractant problem areas are:Leaky shower bases,damp soil under houses,plumbing leaks,hot water overflow pipes,general excessive dampness around household timbers
New houses built that are sprayed for termite protection, with chemical synthetic pyrethrium spray only lasts 1-2 years( becasuse of soil disturbance of the new home owner).
Termites don’t like clay soils, because they cannot pull apart the particles to tunnel through.But they will still work clay soils.
One termite can live without a queen or nest for up to 3 years.(with adequate moisture and food )
Termites for most of there life are not sexed .It is only during ( Nov - March) Melbourne area, that there life cycle changes, a large perentage of the ( normal Worker) termites,grow wings,harden they outer cuticle skin,and leave the nest in an amazing display of the masses.Some people refer it to like a fountain of insects emerging or flowing from a tree or sleeper in the garden.These termites are now sexed ( male and female,they are called Alleates)and now can mate and regenerate numbers.Altough out of the thousands that make this journey of leaving the nest ( usually on a hot humid night, at dusk) only a small number survive,land into the ground or open cut tree branch,drop there wings ,mate and start a new nest.
White ant and termite mean the same thing.
Most termiticides ( chemicals ) only last 2 to 10 years. Chemical:Termidor 6-8 years ,Premise 3-5 years,biflex 5 to 10 years
Price:
The average cost for a termite treatment to a house is $1,5000 - $3,000.
The best chemical on the market is termidor ( bayer).
Termites in Melbourne ( Victoria ) are slower than in Queensland, and take a few years to cause considerable damabe to a house.Where in queensalnd / darwin damage can be as fast as 1 year.
Most people find termites in there house by accident: Cleaning, door falls off, renovating.
Termites prefer soft timbers (pine) over hardwoods.
Most new houses these days are built out of pine.
Houses 10 years or more are safer from structural termite damage than new houses.
On average CSIRO stats say that one in three houses in Victoria will be effected by termites at some stage.
The average cost damage to a house is $20,000 - $30,000.
Evidence of termite damage in your home and what to look out for : Paint around windows start to have a wrinkly or ripple look abut it. Timbers usually affected first are door trims,skirtings.These timbers become hollow and papery to touch. Plaster can take on the appearance of mould or dirt with cut like marks through it. Winged termites ( alleates) can be found around light fittings in the hundreds. The lacquer on floorboards ripples. If you have any concerns you can call us for free information and advice to confirm you have termites in your home. ph:1300367731
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