Five ways to get protection against
termites
Just the thought of termites invading your home can send shivers down your homeowner spine! These little creatures can cause extensive damage, both structurally and financially. The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect your home from termites.
What are termites and why are they a problem?
Termites are small, hard-to-see pests that can cause a lot of damage to your home. If left unchecked, termites can eat away at the wooden structure of your home, making it weak and susceptible to collapse.
What’s even worse is that termites can go undetected for months or even years, slowly eating away at your home until it is too late. That’s why it’s important to be proactive about termite prevention and know the signs of a termite infestation.
Five top tips to protect your home from termites
No. 1 – Install a Kordon Termite System
If you are at the planning or construction phase of building your home, extension or renovation, we strongly recommend installing a termite barrier like the Kordon Termite System, to protect your home from subterranean termites. In fact, a new home in Australia is required to have a built-in termite management system or be built with materials that are termite resistant – and Kordon is a great option.
Kordon is a flexible and durable laminate that is installed in your home by an accredited Kordon Installer while it is being built. It acts as a physical and chemical termite system, covering those areas of your home that may be susceptible to termites entering through underground tunnels.
No. 2 – Remove termite food sources
Make sure that your home is free of food sources that would attract termites. This means keeping things like firewood, mulch and leaves away from your foundations, sealing any cracks or crevices in your foundation or exterior walls, and replacing any rotten wood.
No. 3 – Use treated wood
You should also use treated wood when building or repairing structures on your property. Some types of wood are less susceptible to termite attacks, so check with your builder about that too.
No. 4 – Have yearly termite inspections
You should have a pest control professional inspect your home on a regular basis for termites. We recommend this every year. Without fail.
No. 5 – Know the signs of termites
If you are seeing any of the following signs, it is time to call in a professional pest technician ASAP:
- Mud tubes leading away from your foundation.
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- Damage to wood, such as small holes or wood that has been chewed through.
- Physical evidence of termites, such as wings or droppings.
- Seeing flying termites.
In short, there are a few key things you can do to help protect your home against termites. However, the most important protection for new homes and extensions is to install a termite barrier like the Kordon Termite System.