A recent survey found 30% of Australian home-owners list termite infestations as their biggest fear. Termites are a real risk, but many commonly used termite ‘facts’ are actually termite myths.
A termite infestation costs thousands of dollars to eradicate and termite damage creates serious, long-term problems in your home. The only way to eradicate termites is with the help of a professional pest control team. Budget or at home termite treatments are ineffective and there are no shortcuts for deterring termites.
There are over 300 termite species in Australia and there are very few areas that aren’t affected by termites. Termite infestations are a problem we all share, 85% of Australian homes are within 25 metres of a termite colony.
Currently there are over a million termite articles available online, meaning termites are obviously a very popular but confusing subject.
Here are the 3 biggest myth about termites:
#1. Termites are only attracted to old homes.
FACT: No home is safe from termites.
The biggest termite myth is untrue. Termites are attracted to any home which contains wood. Even modern steel framed homes have enough interior timber to attract termites. The age of the property is irrelevant, any wood is good enough for termites. Homes built on concrete are still at risk from termite infestation as termites can build mud tunnels on concrete to get to timber areas.
It is true that traditional timber framed or weather board houses are more likely to attract termites. This is because these homes contain more timber for the termites to get into. If you own a home like this it is important that you keep up with regular termite treatments to prevent termite infestations. You should be extra vigilant and always be on the look out for signs of termite infestation.
If any home falls into disrepair or remains vacant it is likely termites will move in as there will be no disruptions to their infestation. The best advice for preventing termite infestations is to take care of your home however old it is. Termites do not attack homes if the wood has been treated and protected.
#2. Termites are easy to kill.
FACT: Termites are difficult to kill
It is easier to kill a cockroach than a termite. This is because termites are so hard to find and there are so many of them. Termites live in large colonies inside wood and rarely appear outside in daylight. They will multiple colonies all over your house, finding and eliminating one termite nest will not eliminate the entire termite problem.
The only type of termites that leave clear evidence are swarmers. Swarmers are winged, adolescent termites which fly from the nest to create new colonies. They will normally try to burrow in your window sills or door frames so keep an eye out for the wings that they shed as they dig. Killing swarmers will not eliminate a termite infestation as you are only killing part of the colony.
#3. Termites only live in trees.
FACT: Termites live in all types of wood
A commonly heard termite myth that is not entirely untrue, termites do build nests in trees but it is not the only place you will find them. Termites are attracted to all wood, they eat the cellulose material within wood and build their nests inside it.
Trees are a practical place for termites to build their nests as there is an obvious food supply and no competition for space but trees are not the only place that termites can live. Termites can live in piles of fire wood, fences, trellises or decking. They can also live in the wood inside your home, in your walls or floorboards.
Cutting down termite infested trees will not solve the problem as existing termites will relocate and new termites will still be attracted to the damp tree stump. Removing wood that shows signs of termite damage in your home is equally ineffective as the termites will have other places to hide. It is myth that removing termites, removes the threat. Termites need to be properly exterminated by a professional pest control team.
If you are worried about termite myths or think that your home may have a termite infestation, ignore the termite myths and speak to the professional team.
A pest control team has the experience and knowledge to provide you with a professional assessment of your home. They will also have the training and equipment to quickly prevent a termite infestation or eradicate an existing termite infestation.
What termite myths have you heard? Let us know in the comments below…