Termites are a significant issue across Australia, and they are known to infest and cause significant problems for homeowners in Adelaide. But one of the biggest headaches for homeowners is that insurance companies do not cover termite damage to homes.
Therefore, it is critical to consider how to control Adelaide termites. In this article, we will look at how you can prevent termite infestations in Adelaide or how to get rid of termites in Adelaide.
White Ants vs Termites
There is a common misconception that white ants and termites are different pests in the home. In reality, there's no difference, white ants in Adelaide, or anywhere else, are just termites. Therefore, any white ant treatment in Adelaide is the same as it would be for termites.
One of the most important points is that any white ants in your home are a clear sign that there's a termite infestation in your home and you should look for ways to remove them quickly.
Signs of a Termite Infestation in Adelaide
While seeing one of the termites in your home is a sure way to notice an infestation, there are other signs and symptoms that you should look out for, these include the following.
1. Knocking or Clicking Sounds
Termite soldiers will frequently make a knocking sound on the inside of walls to warn off worker termites of dangers nearby. This head-banging can be heard easily, especially if you place your ear to the wall.
The warning sound is not hard to mistake and it's a warning that an established colony has established itself in your home.
2. Flying Termites
An early sign of a termite infestation (or a very late sign) is when there are flying termites around your home. These are alates, or swarmers, looking for a new home to establish a new colony. These termites can be either male or female who have recently left an established colony.
It might be that there's a termite colony in a nearby piece of land and that your home looks like a new potential nesting site. Or you might have had a hidden colony in the home, and the next generation is looking to spread.
Noting down when and where you saw the flying termite is very important. There are dozens of species of termite and each has their preference on when to swarm. Some will do so at night, while others will prefer to swarm and take flight after rain.
A related sign is the discarded wings of these termites. Wings are clipped off as soon as the termite has found a new home.
3. White Ants
As mentioned, seeing white ants or termites in and around your home is an obvious sign. We mention it here because it is important to know the difference between ants and termites. Termites tend to be brown or black (though green and red varieties exist).
While it is important to deal with either infestation, ant nests cause less damage to the property.
If you’re unsure of what species has infested your home, you should seek out the opinion of a local termite pest control in Adelaide.
4. Papery or Hollow Sounding Timber
Damage caused by termites can be extensive. Their favourite food is wood. Therefore, any wooden structures in your home, like timbers in the building construction, furniture, or toys are at risk. Termites also prefer to eat from the inside out. Therefore, they can create wooden structures that sound hollow when knocked on.
Sometimes, termites eat so much wood on a structure that they leave a thin veneer of timber. They’ve also been known to leave just the wallpaper or paint behind.
5. Tight Fitting Doors/Windows
One area of particular risk in your home is the wooden frames used for windows and doors. When the termites eat the wood in these areas, they expel a lot of moisture that is then absorbed by the remaining wooden structure. As more moisture is soaked up by the wood, the structures swell and become tight-fitting.
If any windows or doors start to become troublesome to open, check them out for other signs of termites. Though this sign can also be a sign of mould or dampness in the home.
6. Frass
Frass is the termite droppings that you will find from termites in Adelaide. If you see any frass, then you’re in luck in some respects because they will deposit these near their nesting. So you know when you start to apply termite control options in your home, where the best locations are.
Frass looks like small black marks, and are left in piles.
Termite Protection in Adelaide
The best defence against termites is prevention rather than cure. Therefore, it is important to consider some steps to make your home as uninviting to termites as possible. Here are some of the options that you can apply to your property.
Wood Storage Options
Wood is the main food source for termites. If you have wood storage or wooden structures at your home, these should be kept as far from your home as possible. You should always try to maintain a concrete layer between the wood and the soil.
Dry Out the Home
Termites thrive in humid homes, and this can be seen by how they expel humidity when they chew on your wood. Therefore, one of the best ways to ensure termites do not favour your home as a potential nesting site is to ensure that your home is dry. Use a dehumidifier in the home, open the windows in dry months, and ensure there is plenty of ventilation.
Screens
Keep out flying termites (and other pests) during the summer months by using a screen that goes across the open window. These screens can allow for air to flow but keep small insects out of the home.
Wood Treatment
Some wooden treatments are known to repel or kill wood-eating insects such as termites. Regularly applying a treatment to your wooden structures can be one of the best ways to protect them, especially during periods of high activity like the breeding season.
Termite Treatment in Adelaide
If you do get termites in your Adelaide home, fast and effective termite treatment should be sought immediately. The quicker that you apply treatments, the less damage that will be done to the home.
Few treatments can be effective, killing termites as you see them will not work. Instead, what you need to do is to seek a way to kill the queen. Queens are vital for the success of a colony and the death of a queen can significantly weaken the colony, and might cause it to crash.
However, queens can be replaced, and therefore, it can take several rounds of treatment to kill the colony.
If you’re dealing with an ant colony, this is not the case. Ant colonies cannot survive the death of a queen and will crash almost within weeks.
To use termite poisons, place the applicators in inaccessible locations for the termites. However, be sure that the poison is not used in areas where dogs, cats, or children can access them.
Final Word: Termites in Adelaide
Termites in South Australia are a significant problem. When you apply proper termite prevention and treatment, you can be sure your home is safe from the damage that can be caused by these creatures.
Above are some of the most effective options that are available to you and your household. But they must be regularly completed, to ensure the most effective prevention and termite protection in Adelaide for the wooden structures in your home.
