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Termite damaged detected in the Gold Coast, I have found extensive termite damage twice in 2 days. There is one fundamental common factor to this and it is poor maintenance and not doing yearly/ 6 monthly inspections.
This can be almost eliminated by looking after your property and rectification of leaks immediately.
HAT’S THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT TERMITES BEFORE A HOME IS BUILT
While not always applicable, the best termite prevention starts during the planning stages and continues throughout construction. A Basaltic Termite Barrier (BTB) is made of rock particles packed so tightly beneath a house that termites are unable to get through it. Termite mesh can also be used, which is a stainless steel screen with holes so small, termites cannot pass through, and perfect for problem areas such as cold joints in concrete. Poured concrete foundations are hardest for termites to invade, but only if there are no cracks. Brick and block foundations develop cracks as they age, so they should have a capping of 4 inches of solid concrete to make it harder for termites to get inside. Using steel frames, pressure treated wood or termite resistant heartwood during construction is also highly recommended to prevent termites.
CAN YOU PREVENT TERMITES IN EXISTING HOMES?
There are also many things homeowners can do to help prevent termites in homes that are already built. Start with reducing all soil-to-wood contact around your house. Remove all lumber, wood, plants, mulch, paper, cardboard, etc., from around the foundation. Create a 4-inch barrier between mulch and your home. If possible, only the concrete foundation should touch the soil, with siding starting at least 6 inches above the soil. Keep plants a few feet away from your home for the best termite prevention. Make sure storm drains empty a few feet from the foundation and that your soil drainage is effective in minimizing overly moist soil. Fix leaky faucets and eliminate other sources of excess moisture, as that creates perfect conditions for termite invasions. During swarming season (after the winter thaw as temperatures rise), turn off outdoor lights at night. If possible, relocate lights to recessed areas away from doors and windows, as the light attracts the swarmers.
WHAT TERMITE EVIDENCE SHOULD YOU WATCH FOR?
It’s also vital to inspect your home regularly for evidence of termites such as ‟carton” and ‟frass,” which are the waste materials left behind by subterranean and drywood termites, respectively. Patterns in the wood can help distinguish what type of termite you are dealing with. Subterranean termites eat the soft wood between the grains while drywood termites eat across the grain with no patterns. In sheetrock, blistering may appear where termites entered and fed. Mud tunnels are also common evidence of termite activity. These are ‟highways” that help the termites avoid sunlight, control moisture and stay protected as they look for places to enter and eat your home. Look for cracks in the foundation and other structural issues that make for easy access.
https://www.terminix.com/termite-control/prevention/
