Caboolture 
Your property is one of your most important and valuable assets and if you want to protect it you should have regular pest inspections carried out.
An annual pest inspection can help you find any pest problems that may have developed home over time. Early detection is a priority in combatting any infestation, although stopping termites quickly and efficiently is extremely important.
Most pest issues are easy to fix if they are found early so keep a look out yourself for issues if you want to prevent any serious damage or structural issues.
Pests like termites can be hard to find, so you will need to bring in the experts to check for any signs of termite activity inside walls or beams. There are some clues that can help you determine termite activity if you know what to look for:
- Head banging. Not yours, but the termite soldiers! Put your ear to the area and you will hear them if they’re there.
- Flying termites. Usually the first sign of a termite infestation is the presence of flying termites — called swarmers or alates.
- Papery or hollow sounding timber, give it a gentle tap and you will hear the difference and if it falls apart with a tap then you could very well have a termite problem.
- Tight fitting doors and hard-to-open windows.
- Tunnels in wood.
- Frass – termite droppings.
- Every area in your home will have a different risk for termites and other pests. You may need more or less frequent pest inspections depending on your property’s vulnerability.
Properties that have had recent damage or have heard reports of problems with neighbour’s properties might need more frequent inspections.
Tips for preventing termites include:
- Remove stored timber, debris and cellulose materials from under, in and around the property and under the house.
- Repair leaking taps and pipes immediately.
- Ensure that vents to subfloor areas are never blocked.
- Divert all hot water services & air conditioning overflows away from side of house.
- Use only termite treated timber in garden beds, retaining walls or fence posts.
- Construct timber fences and support posts with a 50mm clearance between the timbers and the soil.
- Don’t allow climbing plants or bushy gardens to grow against the structure (allow at least a 30cm clearance). DO NOT plant trees that are notorious for sending roots under slabs close to the home.
- Remove dead trees or stumps.
- Ensure that termite shielding is not damaged or breached in any way.
- Be aware: Building alterations or additions can alter or render ineffective previous termite protection.
An annual pest inspection is like home insurance, helping you to maintain your greatest investment. Summer is a good time to get a pest inspection done, as it is when a lot of pests are most active. However, this does not mean you can become complacent in the cooler months.
