Termite Treatment in Maribyrnong
Termite infestation
After a neighbour found termites on their property, Mr E did a google search for Pest Control in Maribyrnong and contacted Dawson’s Australia to come and check his house. Dawson’s Pest conducted a termite inspection on his property to Australian standards.
During the visual termite inspection, the Dawson’s accredited termite inspector confirmed that the property had live termite activity onsite. A large sub-nest/subsidiary nest was located inside the internal wall cavity as shown in the images below.
These subterranean termites were identified to be Coptotermes acinaciformis which is the most destructive species in Australia.
Coptotermes are commonly found right throughout Victoria and mainland Australia particularly in built-up areas like metropolitan Melbourne. They build their nests in the base of a tree or underground, and may form a mound. Subterranean Termites randomly forage underground and build mud tunnels or mud leads. They travel up to 50 metres (can be more) from this nest, foraging on the outer edges. They usually build a sub-nest along these tunnels as a resting area for the termite workers. There are always supplementary queens in the sub nests to ensure that if the main nest is cut off from the sub-nest, that it will survive.
From these sub-nests, the termites can then continue to forage even further. Sub nests are often built inside homes and buildings throughout Melbourne in places such as the cavities in the walls of buildings. They are typically in places where moisture exists, perhaps from a leaking shower or pipe. This Subterranean Termite Sub Nest in Maribyrnong just happened to be in Mr E’s living room, which shared the wall cavity with the bathroom and bedroom wall!
Signs you may have termites
Damaged Timber
A hollowed-out piece of timber that has been damaged by termites usually sounds hollow.
Alates
Usually from mid-October till early March, established nests disperse young reproductive, winged termites out to start new colonies. On a warm and humid evening, hundreds of them will leave the nest at once, so their numbers look like swarms of flying ants. If you spot alates around your home, this could be a sign of termite infestation and your home needing a termite treatment.
Termite Leads
Termites are fragile insects. They don’t have many defences against predators, and require a moist and humid environment to survive.
To get around safely when they are not underground or inside a piece of timber, they build leads, small tunnels made of mud and cellulose. The tubes look like little brown straws.
How to get rid of termites
The first step is to have a full termite inspection carried out by one of Dawson’s Australia’s fully accredited and licenced termite specialists. The inspection includes all accessible areas throughout the roof void area, underneath the home (unless there is a concrete slab) throughout all internal areas such as skirting boards, flooring, door frames and windows etc. We inspect externally up to 50 metres or to property boundaries.
Once the full inspection is complete and we know the extent of the infestation, we can then tailor the most effective treatment available to suit your home and budget. Usually, we will recommend a full Termidor® treatment be carried out to the Australian Standard, as this will not only protect your home regarding the current infestation but also for years to come.
We will drill and dig into the ground so that the treatment can bind directly with the soil creating a barrier around your home.
Unfortunately for Mr E and all the other homeowners who are unlucky enough to have termites damage their home, this damage is not covered by their home or building insurance policies. This is why it’s so important to call professional home pest controllers if you suspect you have termites in your home.
Prevention is always better than a cure!
Your home is your biggest investment, preventing a termite infestation is easier and cheaper than getting rid of them as you may have to replace structural timbers, installation, plaster and repaint. The price of which can climb to be thousands of dollars, not to mention the inconvenience of it all.
If you want to protect your home or if you think you might have a termite problem on your Maribyrnong property that you need solved, call The Pest Professionals at Dawson’s Australia on (03) 9222 2266 or fill in our contact form online to organise for your fully accredited termite inspection to be carried out asap.
