Checking your own home regularly is important to make sure some of the more obvious signs of infestation are found early. However to inspect a home thoroughly requires years of experience and the right tools. You should ALWAYS have your house inspected by a professional at least once a year unless advised otherwise.
See our Termite inspections page for more information.
So WHAT can YOU DO??
Here’s a check list you should use to check some of the more common areas termites can be found around your home.
- GARDEN: Termites travel underground and they love moisture. So check under pot plants, Garden mulch/wood chip, and any stored bits of timber around the grounds.
- WALL EXTERIOR: Check for signs of Termite Trails (mud tubes/tunnels) up the brick work or slab-edge. The trails will come up from the ground if the termites cannot find a way in below the surface. You will need to get in under the house (if your house is off the ground on posts) to check the posts trails. The trails are often very hard to see if you don’t know what you are looking for and the termites don’t always need access to the ground which is why it is important to check the whole home during a Termite inspection. Important: If your home has weep-holes, ensure they aren’t covered by gardens or soil. Also, termites love moisture so eliminate any moisture sources close to the house (ie. check there is no moisture around your Air-conditioning units, Hot Water system, downpipes and that there is no bark chip/ mulch or gardens against the house. Remember! Termites need moisture and will come from a far to find it!
- PREVIOUS TREATMENTS: Check your electrical meterbox and kitchen cupboard for TERMITE PROTECTION stickers. If present, it should say the system used and the life expectancy of the product. Houses in South-East Queensland need some form of protection and it’s important that you know if there is adequate protection and how to maintain it. For free advice, Contact Us!
- INTERIOR: Make a small tool for checking that all the timber skirting boards and window frames around your house are solid. The handle of a screw driver is perfect but ideally something a bit longer that won’t mark the timber (ie a golf ball or timber ball on the end of a stick). Most people just cut off the head of a golf club. Tap over all the timber boards thoroughly and be sure not too miss anywhere (ie behind stored items/ curtains and blinds). Keep a torch with you for checking inside cupboards and in shadows. Some timbers used for window frames and skirting boards are resistant to termites and can make early detection very difficult. The use of proper inspection equipment is an integral part of a thorough inspection and the consequences of relying on your own inspection can be disastrous.
Don’t risk it! Have your home regularly inspected by a Licensed Termite controller!
Mike Brewer – Proprietor
Phone: 0447 268 257
Email: inspector@termiteguys.com.au
Protect your home with termidor! - See our Termite Barriers page for more info
Found Termites? See our Termite Treatments Page
