Australia is home to a multitude of termite species, often mislabelled as white ants. Despite their small stature, these insects possess the ability to inflict significant damage on both residential and commercial properties.
On the Northern Beaches, one in three homes will confront a termite infestation. With the average cost of treatment and repair amounting to $10,000, but often enough can be anything up to $100,000. So, implementing preventative measures is crucial for safeguarding your home and loved ones from potential harm.
Many modern homes incorporate termite barriers for added protection. However, even these sophisticated measures do not guarantee permanent immunity from infestation. Your optimal defence strategy involves annual, comprehensive termite inspections carried out by a licensed, seasoned professional adept at identifying early warning signs of an impending termite problem.
If termites have invaded your property, you're worried about a potential infestation, or your annual inspection is due, this informative guide on Northern Beaches termite inspections will offer some valuable insights.
On the Northern Beaches, one in three homes will confront a termite infestation. With the average cost of treatment and repair amounting to $10,000, but often enough can be anything up to $100,000. So, implementing preventative measures is crucial for safeguarding your home and loved ones from potential harm.
Many modern homes incorporate termite barriers for added protection. However, even these sophisticated measures do not guarantee permanent immunity from infestation. Your optimal defence strategy involves annual, comprehensive termite inspections carried out by a licensed, seasoned professional adept at identifying early warning signs of an impending termite problem.
If termites have invaded your property, you're worried about a potential infestation, or your annual inspection is due, this informative guide on Northern Beaches termite inspections will offer some valuable insights.
HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD I SCHEDULE A TERMITE INSPECTION?
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Government guidelines recommend annual termite inspections, although the frequency may vary depending on your home's risk profile. Termites are notorious for causing extensive and costly damage to homes and businesses. It's estimated that one in three Northern Beaches residences will succumb to termite devastation, with the average treatment and repair cost hovering around $10,000 (as reported by the AEPMA).
Compounding matters, termite damage is classified as preventable, rendering it ineligible for coverage under most home and contents insurance policies. Given this, investing in precautionary measures against termite infestations is a prudent long-term decision, especially when compared to the relatively nominal inspection cost of approximately $300. |
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PREPARING FOR A TERMITE INSPECTION
The following measures will allow a more thorough assessment by your termite inspector and negate the risk of missing any initial signs of a termite invasion. Helping you maximize the benefits of your inspection.
- Ensure unhindered access to entry and exit points, such as garage doors, roof voids, basements/subfloors, and attics.
- Reposition furniture away from walls to allow for more efficient moisture level and sound testing.
- Remove items from damp areas, including around and beneath sinks and pipes in kitchens and bathrooms. Also make sure there are no leaking taps or other plumbing leaks and that the sub-floor is well ventilated with sufficient drainage.
- Prune overgrown vegetation, such as branches, to provide easier access to exterior walls.
- Maintain a safe distance between firewood, timber, and your home, and store them in a dry environment, preferably elevated off the ground.
TERMITE DETECTION METHODS
It’s easy to overlook early warning signs or misidentify termites as another issue.
Our highly qualified termite inspectors follow a rigorous inspection protocol, guaranteeing a thorough examination of every area of your home or business. Well-equipped with cutting-edge technology, we can detect termites precisely and gauge the extent of an infestation.
A certified and skilled Eradicator termite inspector will visit your property to carry out an exhaustive, professional assessment for termites in adherence to Australian Standards. Documenting our findings and providing you with an easy-to-interpret report.
The termite inspector will start by conducting a visual examination of your property. Inspecting walls, ceilings, and floors for damage, as well as searching for mud tubes and entry points. Since termites are typically difficult to detect, we utilise state-of-the-art equipment to uncover subtle indicators of infestation. These include borescopes, sounding tools, moisture meters, and movement detectors.
To ensure no detail is overlooked, we follow a general inspection procedure that accommodates variations in property layouts. We'll focus on the following termite-prone areas:
Upon completing the inspection, we'll discuss our observations with you and issue a formal report. This will encompass all findings, results, photographs, and treatment recommendations, if necessary.
Our highly qualified termite inspectors follow a rigorous inspection protocol, guaranteeing a thorough examination of every area of your home or business. Well-equipped with cutting-edge technology, we can detect termites precisely and gauge the extent of an infestation.
A certified and skilled Eradicator termite inspector will visit your property to carry out an exhaustive, professional assessment for termites in adherence to Australian Standards. Documenting our findings and providing you with an easy-to-interpret report.
The termite inspector will start by conducting a visual examination of your property. Inspecting walls, ceilings, and floors for damage, as well as searching for mud tubes and entry points. Since termites are typically difficult to detect, we utilise state-of-the-art equipment to uncover subtle indicators of infestation. These include borescopes, sounding tools, moisture meters, and movement detectors.
- Borescopes are advanced optical instruments employed for capturing images of active termites within wooden structures.
- Sounding tools are used to tap against wooden structures, assessing their integrity.
- Moisture meters help locate areas with elevated moisture levels that may attract termites, including rafters, joists, and sills.
- Infrared movement detectors help locate active termites behind walls, in ceilings, and beneath floors.
To ensure no detail is overlooked, we follow a general inspection procedure that accommodates variations in property layouts. We'll focus on the following termite-prone areas:
- Interior rooms are evaluated using a moisture meter and sounding tool, encompassing wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces, door frames, skirting boards, and cupboards.
- Timber beams in roof voids are thoroughly examined.
- Subfloors, being a common entry point for termites, receive extra scrutiny. If there is no sub-floor access, a builder may need to cut a floor trap, or knock a hole through a foundation wall.
- A comprehensive exterior property inspection is conducted around your house's entire perimeter.
- All interior and exterior sections of auxiliary structures are inspected with a sounding tool.
- The grounds encompassing the building are meticulously assessed, including garden beds, landscaping timbers, trees, stumps, and fence lines.
Upon completing the inspection, we'll discuss our observations with you and issue a formal report. This will encompass all findings, results, photographs, and treatment recommendations, if necessary.
HARNESSING THE POWER
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HOW CAN I IDENTIFY A TERMITE INFESTATION?
Although termites are challenging to detect and hear, regardless of colony size, it is always best to have a professional inspection conducted by an expert. Nevertheless, you should remain vigilant for the following signs that may signal a termite invasion:
Changes in Walls, Floors, and Ceilings
- You may observe cracks in walls, floors, and ceilings, which can be easily confused with water damage.
- The paint on your walls might exhibit a "bubbling" or "honeycomb" appearance due to termites compromising the underlying timber.
- Over time, cracks, blisters, and sagging may become evident on surfaces like laminate floors, ceiling beams, and skirting boards.
- Warping of doors and frames can cause windows and doors to become difficult to open as moisture fills the timber cavities left by termite destruction.
Mud Tubes
Termites construct tunnels from soil, wood, debris, and droppings to safeguard themselves while foraging for sustenance away from their subterranean nests. To deter termite activity, it's essential to maintain a moisture-free perimeter around your home.
Hollow Sounds from Timber Structure
A hollow, echoing sound when knocking on walls may indicate that termites have tunnelled through the insulation and consumed the wood. Clicking noises can signify termites eating the wood or soldier termites tapping their heads against the wood to alert the colony to a threat.
Flying Termite Swarms and Discarded Wing
Every three to five years, a colony dispatches winged termites or swarmers to establish a new colony elsewhere. If you spot white flying insects or accumulations of wings around your property, near lights or windowsills, particularly during spring and summer, you may have a swarmer infestation. They typically nest in woodpiles and tree stumps, so it's advisable to clear your yard of this type of debris.
Electrical Issue
Electrical wiring within walls, floors, and ceilings is vulnerable to termite damage. If you encounter more frequent electrical interruptions than usual, inspect for mud tubes or a build-up of organic material around your electrical fittings. Exercise extreme caution when dealing with high-voltage electrical fixtures.
HOW MUCH DOES A TERMITE INSPECTION COST?
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At Eradicator, we provide termite inspections starting at $300 + GST. This price may vary depending on factors such as your home or property size, the inspection's scope, and whether additional equipment is needed to enhance accessibility or detection.
Organising a regular termite inspection with your local, trusted provider is a relatively inexpensive investment considering the potential cost of long-term termite damage to your family home. |
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DO I NEED A TERMITE INSPECTION FOR A NEW HOME?
Termites can infiltrate both new and old homes alike, and several factors may influence your property's susceptibility to an infestation.
Local Climate
The Northern Beaches will often experience hot and humid weather for a significant part of the year, which increases the risk of termite infestations.
Neighbouring Termite Issues
Termites can travel 50 to 100 meters from their nests, so if adjacent properties have confirmed infestations, it's prudent to conduct a property inspection as a precaution.
Moisture Problems
Living in a damp climate or having experienced plumbing issues with water leakage may attract termites, necessitating more frequent inspections.
Previous Termite Presence
A prior infestation in your area could indicate that termites have breached any existing barriers.
Landscaping Alterations
Changes to your yard may compromise your current termite barrier and provide termites with new entry points to your property.
Pre-Purchase Termite Inspections
Eradicator can perform pest inspections before you finalize your home purchase, providing extra protection against termites, especially in high-risk areas. We will inform you if we detect termites or if the house has other risk factors predisposing it to a termite infestation, such as dampness.
HOW DO I ADDRESS A TERMITE INFESTATION?
Our inspection report will provide all the necessary information about eradicating termites from your property. Based on the severity of the infestation and your home's layout, we'll propose a tailored treatment plan and offer advice on preventing future infestations.
Termiticide Treatment
Non-repellent termiticides induce disorientation and confusion in termites, weakening their defences and rendering them susceptible to lethal diseases from fungi and soil microorganisms. Strategically treating specific areas around your property increases termite interaction with the product. While toxic to termites, the termiticides are safe for humans, the environment, and other wildlife.
Termite Baiting Systems
In-ground monitoring stations attract termites. Once inside the station, bait can be added that disrupts their growth and development by inhibiting the moulting process. Above ground baits are added to active areas in the house. Termites then carry the bait from the strategically placed baiting stations back to the nest, allowing it to spread throughout the colony. This method offers robust protection against termite infestations by preventing them from occurring in the first place.
Continued Termite Monitoring
For all our Northern Beaches termite treatment sites, we will generally insist on installing a termite monitoring system. This helps us to identify immediately if the termites return and provide timely treatment before the colony can take hold and cause any significant damage.
Minimising Termite Attraction
Maintaining your garden and yard is crucial. Store wood and timber piles away from your home in a dry location off the ground and clear any vegetation and litter. Promptly repair sources of leaks, including pipes, drains, and roof damage.
Eradicator recognises the danger, expense, and stress associated with termite infestations, making proactive annual inspections crucial for combating these stealthy pests. Our team of fully licensed and experienced termite inspectors possesses in-depth knowledge of termite behaviour and adheres to Australian Standards. We are highly trained in specialised equipment to identify even the most subtle signs of a termite infestation. After completing your inspection, we'll provide a report of the findings and, if necessary, treatment recommendations.
We employ targeted, high-quality treatments such as termiticide treatment and termite baiting and monitoring systems. All of which are safe for humans, pets, and the environment. Our responsive services inspect and treat termite infestations with minimal disruption at a convenient time for you. Ensuring continued protection and peace of mind.
If you need to schedule a termite inspection or have concerns about termites on your property, contact an Eradicator consultant today.
Maintaining a termite-free home is essential to protect both your property's structural integrity and your financial investments. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can minimise the risk of a termite infestation and ensure the safety and well-being of your family.
Eradicator is committed to providing top-quality termite inspection and treatment services that are both effective and environmentally friendly. With our team of highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals and over 30 years of experience on the Northern Beaches, you can trust that your home is in good hands.
So, whether you're purchasing a new home or maintaining your current property, it's crucial to invest in regular termite inspections and treatments. Don't wait for signs of an infestation to appear—be proactive and safeguard your home today by reaching out to Eradicator Pest Services for all your termite control needs.
We employ targeted, high-quality treatments such as termiticide treatment and termite baiting and monitoring systems. All of which are safe for humans, pets, and the environment. Our responsive services inspect and treat termite infestations with minimal disruption at a convenient time for you. Ensuring continued protection and peace of mind.
If you need to schedule a termite inspection or have concerns about termites on your property, contact an Eradicator consultant today.
Maintaining a termite-free home is essential to protect both your property's structural integrity and your financial investments. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can minimise the risk of a termite infestation and ensure the safety and well-being of your family.
Eradicator is committed to providing top-quality termite inspection and treatment services that are both effective and environmentally friendly. With our team of highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals and over 30 years of experience on the Northern Beaches, you can trust that your home is in good hands.
So, whether you're purchasing a new home or maintaining your current property, it's crucial to invest in regular termite inspections and treatments. Don't wait for signs of an infestation to appear—be proactive and safeguard your home today by reaching out to Eradicator Pest Services for all your termite control needs.
In-ground monitoring stations attract termites. Once inside the station, bait can be added that disrupts their growth and development by inhibiting the moulting process. Above ground baits are added to active areas in the house. Termites then carry the bait from the strategically placed baiting stations back to the nest, allowing it to spread throughout the colony. This method offers robust protection against termite infestations by preventing them from occurring in the first place.
PEOPLE LOVING WHAT WE DO
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Nigel sorted our termite problem when it wasn't dealt with correctly by a previous company. He's incredibly professional & thorough. Going the extra mile to check every square inch of our home including some very hard to reach areas.
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Nigel was amazing! I actually slept without noise canceling headphones for the first time in weeks last night. Very professional, quick, friendly and efficient. Will definitely be recommending to anyone needing these services.
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Nigel was very professional. Unlike some other companies, he actually answers his phone or calls back soon after. He did a thorough search, unlike another company I used. On repeat visits he calls ahead and turns up when he says he will.
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YOUR TERMITE INSPECTION EXPERTS SERVICING
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