Termites in Perth are a big problem. They can infest homes and cause significant problems for homeowners. And because they aren’t covered by many insurance policies, preventing and treating termite infestations is critical. In this guide, we will be talking about termite protection in Perth and how to treat infestations should you get them.
White Ants vs Termites
One of the common misconceptions is whether there is a white ant or a termite infestation. There is no difference between the two. White ants in Perth are termites and can often be mistaken. Therefore, white ant treatment in Perth is no different than any other termite pest control in Perth.
But if you can see white ants in your home, it can mean there's a large infestation in the home.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
There are several signs that there is a termite infestation in your home. These signs include the following:
- Head Banging
Termite soldiers are not quiet. They make a clicking sound inside the walls of your home. This sound is there to warn others of the dangers around. If you put your ear to the wall and you can hear small clicking sounds, it’s a clear sign there’s an active colony nearby.
- Flying Termites
Flying termites can be seen during two periods. One of these is when the alates, or swarmers, are looking for a new home to build a nest in. These flying termites can be male or female and have just left a colony and are looking to start a new one. However, you might also see them when you’ve had an infestation go undiscovered and the next generation is leaving.
There are numerous species of termites. Some prefer to swarm at night; whereas others will only do so after the rains. Therefore, depending on the time of year, it can be hard to see the swarming. However, once they’ve found the home, the alates will discard their wings, which is something you might find.
- White Ants
As mentioned before, seeing white ants around your home. These are not ants and are instead termites. Ants are typically brown or black.
Either infestation needs to be taken care of. Though it is easier to take care of an ant nest and damage done by ants is often less severe. If in doubt on which species has infested your home, contact a local pest specialist. They will be able to tell you whether it is an ant or termite, and should be able to identify the species you have on the property.
- Papery or Hollow Sounding Timber
Termites eat wooden structures. Whether that is timbers from your home, furniture, or something else made of wood. And they love to eat wood from the inside out. What they leave behind is a thin veneer of timber, or sometimes just the paint used to decorate.
One of the tests that can be done with large or established infestations is to knock and if you can hear a hollow or papery sound, then there are termites eating your home.
- Tight Fitting Doors/Windows
When termites eat the wood in their home, a byproduct of their behaviour is to create moisture in their tunnels, especially around door and window frames. As a result, these structures swell and can become tight-fitting.
So, if you have any structures that are now harder to open and close, check them for either dampness in the home or signs that termites are about.
- Termite Droppings
Frass is another sign that you need to undertake some termite control in Perth. Frass can also be known as termite droppings. Frass is normally the result of dry wood termites depositing the droppings near the entrance to nests. These are small black marks and they are often in piles.
One good aspect of frass is that it demonstrates where the termites are located because they are left close to nests.
Termite Protection in Perth
To ensure that you don’t have problems with termites, you need to use the best termite control in Perth. There are lots of options, but prevention is always better than cure. So here are some simple solutions:
Store Wood Away from Home – Ensure all wooden structures are away from the home. Try to put a concrete layer between the wood and the soil, as this is a common way for termites to access wood and they don’t like concrete.
Keep the House Dry – Termites love humid conditions, therefore, you need to keep your home dry. You can keep windows open in the dry months and use a dehumidifier during the rest of the year. During the breeding season, you can use screens to protect you from flying termites accessing the home.
Treat the Wood – Some wood treatments naturally repel and can kill wood insects. Neem oil is one treatment you can apply that is easy to use. Application should be regular, especially when it's breeding season.
Termite Treatment in Perth
Finally, you need to consider treatment options in Perth. The best of these are termite poisons. These are taken back to the nest by the workers who then kill the queen. Queens are vital for the success of a colony and the death of the queen can weaken the colony. Although it can sometimes take several treatments to kill the colony, termites can replace a queen, unlike ants.
Termites poisons should be placed in accessible locations for the termites, but away from pets to protect them.
Final Word: Termites in Perth
Termites in Perth are a real problem. Through proper prevention and treatment though, homeowners can protect their health, and financial safety and not have to worry about their homes. Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to termites, so being sure to reduce their potential impact is going to be better.
Above are some of the signs to look out for as well as ways to prevent termite infestations and resolve any invasions should they happen.
