Is your house trying to tell you something?

Did you know that every property requires a specially customised termite prevention and control system?

The methods that pest control technicians put in place to protect individual homes are, in fact, designed and incorporated to protect and safeguard your particular property and its structural integrity.

As property owners, we often have a false sense of security believing our current termite protection systems will secure our homes from any possible infestations. Whilst in most cases that may be true, any structural change, landscape design, alterations or renovations can deem the current termite protection invalid, which may cause a situation where you end up having large expenses to pay due to damages to your most valued asset.

So if you are in the process of selling or buying a home and you’re thinking of skimping on a pest inspection, you might be in for a future surprise (and not the enjoyable kind of surprise you would expect on a birthday).

What type of termite prevention system is appropriate for your home or property?

 It is important that every homeowner is informed about what is relevant to their home to prevent termites entering. There are various termite prevention systems that can be installed to homes and other properties, including:

• Physical Barriers
• Chemical Treated Zones
• Monitoring and Baiting Systems
• Reticulated Systems
• Slab Edge Zones

Every treatment comes with a list of conditions, some of which will include a warranty and others that simply indicate a life expectancy (this is not a warranty). Our pest control technicians will fully explain your specific treatment and its specifications during your termite check.

Selling or buying a property?

Knowing the specifications of your current termite treatments is essential when it comes to buying or selling a property. The job of a pest inspector is to identify any existing preventive termite treatments in place, as well as any termite activity or evidence of previous damage. Our termite inspectors will also look for other timber pests and damage during a pre-sale and pre-purchase inspection, including borer activity and wood decay.

Top tips for keeping termites at bay

 High moisture readings and ineffective drainage systems increase the risk of termite infestation and wood decay. It is for this reason that we recommend putting the following steps into practice:

• Keep a clear and visible notice in the home to remind you of upcoming pest inspection and termite treatment due dates. A current certificate of treatment and annual termite inspection reports are also a bonus.
• Fix all dripping taps and ensure overflows for air conditioning and hot water systems are connected to nearest draining system.
• Reseal showers, baths and taps to avoid possible leaks that may cause a high moisture reading in the walls.
• Keep all water proofing certificates, including new kitchen and bathroom renovations.
• Weep holes need clear visibility for inspection purpose, so be sure to remove any items that may obstruct visibility. All raised garden beds/soil covering weep holes need to be cleared to 75mm below the hole.
• Trim overhanging tree branches and clean gutters regularly to avoid blocked drainpipes.
• Timber in soil attracts termites and fungal decay, so check all landscaping timbers for possible live activity or pest damage and remove all timber debris.
• Remove all timber stumps from your garden as they may harbor termite colonies
• Ensure all sheds and storage spaces do not obstruct visibility to any weep holes and slab edges of the house.
• All pot plants should sit on water trays to contain any excess water seepage from watering the plant.

At The Pest Bully, we are currently offering pre-purchase pest inspections, including a full termite check, from just $260 (this is for the pre-purchase pest inspections, including a full termite check). Our general pest control services includes:

• 12 month service guarantee
• Visual proof of rodent and pests
• Termite prevention advice
• Full one-page site report

For more information, to book, or for a FREE no obligation termite check quote, please contact The Pest Bully on 1300 701 401, or email us at enquiry@thepestbully.com.au