Termite Information:
This is a shortlist of the best termite pest control treatments, termite
reticulation, termite protection, barriers, termite baits and termiticides that
are available in Sydney Australia.
Physical Termite Protection, Barriers and Pre-Construction Termite Treatments
Termite Bait Systems
The Products
Sentricon - The most widely used termite bait is the Sentricon Colony Elimination System. Despite only being marketed for three years, hundreds of thousands of structures have already been baited with Sentricon, including thousands here in Sydney. While there is still much to learn about Sentricon, dozens of independent research trials have confirmed its effectiveness when properly installed and diligently serviced by an authorized pest control firm.
Exterra - The newest bait on the market are the Exterra Termite Baits, Interception and Baiting System. This product was introduced late last year and is now being installed by a small, but growing, number of pest control firms. As with Sentricon, Exterra is often used as a stand-alone treatment. Both products kill by disrupting the moulting process in termites. In terms of appearance, Exterra’s in-ground plastic stations are brown and box-shaped (Sentricon’s are green and cylindrical), and the untreated wood monitors are flat and affixed to each of the four sides of the station. When termites are found feeding on the wood monitors, the bait— consisting of loosely wadded, shredded paper towelling— is stuffed into the centre of the station without removing the monitors. This feature is intended to reduce disturbance to termites already present.
To Bait or Not to Bait...
The biggest complaint, common to all of the current systems, is that baiting
is a slow, prolonged process. Several months may pass before the termites find
the untreated, below ground monitoring stations and begin to feed on the bait.
Consequently, it is not uncommon for the elimination procedure to take more than
a full year to complete. Although usually minimal, some degree of termite
feeding and damage may occur before the slow-acting bait takes effect.
Baiting programs often are more expensive than conventional treatments. This
is because the process requires multiple visits to the structure to monitor for
termites, and to add or replenish baits as needed. Homeowners should consider
both the initial treatment price and the annual renewal fee in making their
purchasing decision. Failure to maintain their annual service agreement is a
prescription for disaster with baits, since there is no residual pesticide left
in the soil after the termites have been eliminated. Ongoing structural
protection depends upon diligent monitoring for new evidence of termites in the
future.
So.... if the homeowner (1) has limited income, (2) straightforward
construction, (3) is amenable to having their wall-to-wall carpeting pulled back
and their basement/slab floor, patio, porch, etc. drilled, and (4) is offered a
renewable service agreement (guarantee) by the pest control company, a
conventional ‘barrier-type’ treatment may be desirable. If one or more of these
criteria cannot be met, the situation may warrant a bait job — but, ultimately,
the customer must make the decision.
CAUTION! Pesticide recommendations
in this publication are registered for use in Sydney Australia ONLY! The use of
some products may not be legal in your state or country. Please check with your
local county agent or regulatory official before using any pesticide mentioned
in this publication.
Of course, ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS
FOR SAFE USE OF ANY PESTICIDE!
Tips when inspecting for evidence of subterranean termites
Subterranean termites are widespread in most warmer countries, causing
substantial structural damage in urban areas. Subterranean termites occur in
large colonies that live underground and feed on available wood. Termites can
enter a structure by tunnelling through wood or by building mud leads over or
through cracks in foundation walls. If you suspect that you have termites, you
should have an inspection conducted by qualified personnel. However, there are
signs that you can check for yourself.
Recognising live termites
Subterranean termites are small insects, approximately the size of a grain
of rice. Although it is possible that you may encounter the dark, winged alates
in early spring, this is rare . It is more probable that you will find workers
and possibly soldiers. Workers and soldiers are creamy white in colour and
soldiers have a darkened head capsule. Unlike the maggots that you may find in
damp wood, if you look at termite pictures you'll see that they have six legs and are more like ants, though without a
constricted "waist".
Termite damage
Evidence of new activity is the presence of live termites or mud leads that
were scraped off and subsequently rebuilt. Wood damage or mud leads with no
visible termites are old termite evidence.
Damaged Timbers.
Subterranean termites tend to favour softwoods (pines etc) and faster
growing hardwoods . Other building materials such as rigid polystyrene
insulation boards, plaster, soft plastics, and underground cables, may be
penetrated by foraging termites even though they do not feed on these materials.
Inspection Outside The Structure
During the months of spring the inspection should always start in the yard.
Any moveable wood in soil contact, such as firewood, timber, cardboard boxes,
barrels, planting boxes, etc., should be lifted and examined. Any stumps in the
yard should be examined using a pocket-knife to separate the bark from the wood.
Also, all of the following areas should be carefully examined for the presence
of termites: crevices in the bark of any large trees; compost bins; garage,
including bottoms of any cardboard or wood boxes used for storage; crawl spaces
under porches and decks; and exposed foundation walls.
Check wooden logs and debris for termite damage and carefully inspect the
bark of trees for termite mud leads, checking underneath loose bark for termites
damage.
Mud leads
Termite mud leads are built by subterranean termites with soil particles,
saliva and faeces. They require persistent moisture and soil contact to protect
them from desiccation and predation. Mud leads can be seen on trees, stumps,
structural timber and foundations walls.
Inspection inside the structure
Next check the house starting in the subfloor using a torch, flat-edge
screwdriver or pocket-knife. If mud leads are found they should be
carefully examined along their length. If the ends of the mud leads are darker
in colour this indicates that they were very recently built and still wet, and
probably still have termite activity. If the mud leads show no cracks or damage
this is also a good indication that they may still be active. Once the mud leads
have been identified and examined along their length, then they should be
scraped off with a putty knife and the scrapings examined for live termites. Be
thorough in doing this and record all the areas where mud was scraped off. After
one month, recheck all areas where mud leads were previously recorded. Any new
mud leads can then be interpreted as newly built and evidence of new activity.
Prevention
Discourage termites from foraging on your property by removing or raising
above ground all potential food sources. Clean up any piles of branches or
pieces of wood in your yard. Replace wooden lawn ornaments with non-wood items.
Raise fence posts, deck posts and stair stringers onto concrete or use an
alternative to wood for building. Ensure that wooden sheds are raised above
ground. Also, check to see that you don't have a wooden platform under aluminium
or vinyl sheds. Build a platform of metal, concrete or PVC for stacking
firewood. Wood-chip mulch should be removed or replaced with stones or
termite-resistant mulch. Most importantly, remove all stumps and dead trees.
Stumps and dead trees represent a huge food resource for termites with a large
area in direct contact with the soil and provide ideal sites for feeding and
nesting.
Termite prevention is better than cure, so remember our name, All Guard,
when you consider
termite control
