Major Termite Species In Sydney Termites can be harmful to your property, look out for following species…

Termites mostly feed on dead plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung, and about 10% of the estimated 4,000 species (about 2,600 taxonomically known) are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests.

Termites are social insects that live in communities just like ants. They have long been known as white ants, however, this is not true. Termites are like ants only in their habitats but they are much smaller in size. Actually, termites have more of a resemblance to grasshoppers and cockroaches. They have evolved over 200 million years. These small insects can cause a lot of damage to your house. There are more than 300 species of termites in Australia and 30 of them are potentially harmful. Termites can be divided into groups called castes – each caste performs different functions.

Some of the primary species of termite include Subterranean, Dampwood and Drywood termites. Subterranean termites dwell in soil while Dampwood termites prefer to live in dead trees. A serious invasion can result in substantial damages and a large amount of money may be spent in repairs. There are many species of termites in Sydney and five of them are particularly harmful, since they infest both old and new homes. These harmful species are generally Subterranean .

Dampwood termites

The second most harmful termites are Dampwood termites. Dampwood termites do not live in centralised nests; they live in much smaller nests in damp areas and parts of standing trees. Their nests are above ground, and they prefer to stay in their nests – although, they are also responsible for destroying a lot of houses and buildings in Sydney.

Drywood termites

The third type is Drywood. Drywood termites live in their nests avoiding ground and moisture unlike their counter parts Dampwood termites. The scientific name of drywood is Incisitermes minor (Hagen). They live in small colonies. A single colony can exist in a small piece of dry timber such as a frame of a picture or a table or a desk which can be in your home and office. If you are facing problems due to termite, try a reliable pest control service.

• Castle Hill, Dural
• Epping, Frenchs Forest
• Leichhardt
• Manly
• Marrickville
• Mosman
• Maroubra
• Pearl Beach
• Rozelle
• Wahroongah
• Winston Hills

If you don’t live in one of these Sydney suburbs, it doesn’t mean that your property isn’t at risk, though; so if it’s been a while since your last termite inspection, be sure to schedule one soon.

What Does a Termite Inspection Involve?

When Pink Pest Services is asked to do a termite inspection, we may use several techniques to ensure you get all the answers you need. The first of these methods is generally a visual inspection. During this process, we look for the outward signs of infestation. In addition to a visual termite inspection, we also have very specialised equipment. For example, we may employ the use of a borescope, which is a fiber optic camera that can look inside the walls. Our methods may also include the use of a thermal imaging camera. These tools help us determine the scope of an infestation.

Sometimes in a termite inspection , it is necessary to do what is called an “invasive inspection.” This involves actually removing portions of the house to see what is going on behind the scenes. Because it is so invasive, we look at this as one of our last options in a termite inspection; and it is always carried out by a well-qualified professional to ensure the integrity of the work. The introduction of the thermal imaging cameras has made these types of inspections less necessary.

Does My House Really Need a Termite Inspection?

While many people tend to think of termites in the context of timber houses, the truth is that all types of houses are at risk for an attack. Surprisingly to many, brick houses in the Sydney area are at just as much risk as those framed with softwoods. The explanation for this is that termites attack from the outside in and don’t realize the house isn’t made of tasty wood until they’ve already bored through doors or window frames. Even steel-framed houses need to undergo regular termite inspections for this very reason.

he trained, certified professionals at Pink Pest Services are available to conduct thorough termite inspections throughout the Sydney area. Contact us today for a free quote.

How Subfloors Increase Your Termite Risk And What To Do About It

Subterranean termites come up from underground to attack homes, meaning the first signs of damage can usually be seen in the subfloor. If you’re buying a home and can’t get to inspect the subfloor (or currently live in a property with a subfloor), the likelihood is that there has been no termite inspection for some years.

This is exactly what happened to Martin, who bought his dream home in Sydney in 2000. A timber pest inspection at the time told him there were no termites. Last year Martin decided to undertake some renovations, and what he found horrified him. The windowsill literally fell away in his hands (dry rot, and a warning sign of a termite friendly environment). When he began removing gyprock from the walls, the extensive termite damage was clear to see.

On inspection, Martin’s subfloor was found to be riddled with termites. Termite leads ploughed a path from the soil to the floor joists. The damage was estimated at many thousands of dollars in materials, plus labour.

How is a subfloor built?

A floor consists of three layers: the joists, the subfloor, and the top-floor. The joists support the subfloor and the subfloor is attached to the top-floor (tiles, hardwood, or carpet). The subfloor is usually made of plywood or pine: termite food.

Termites make their way up supporting joists to the subfloor, where they can cause extensive damage before then attacking the rest of the house.

How to spot termite damage to subfloors

There are a number of signs that indicated termite damage to the subfloor:

• Squeaking floors
• Sagging floors
• A top floor layer that is detached from the subfloor
• Loose floor tiles

How to handle termite infestation in your subfloor

If you notice any of the signs above, you should have your home inspected for termites . A plan of action to remove the termites and repair the damage should then be create. Damaged areas will need to be removed and replaced, with particular attention paid to nearby wooden structural timbers, including adjacent floor joists.

Work should be undertaken in this order:

• Inspection
• Infestation treatment
• Preventative measures taken
• Second Inspection to determine eradication and control
• Repair work

How to protect your subfloor from termites?

Of course, the best way to tackle termites is to be prepared: prevention is always better (and cheaper) than cure. Here are five things to do to ensure your subfloor remains termite free:

• Regularly inspect for termites (with a maximum of 12 months between inspections)
• Ensure the subfloor is well ventilated, to prevent moisture build-up
• Ensure adequate drainage
• Treat timbers against termite attack

If you would like to better protect your most valuable investment – your home – and help it to increase in value then contact us today.

5 Gardening Habits that Attract Termites and 5 That Fight Them

For many of us, gardening is a much-loved hobby that can be enjoyed all year round due to our beautiful climate. However, while you may be transforming your garden into a tropical paradise, you could also be unsuspectingly creating a paradise for a termite colony. Here are five bad gardening habits that attract termites, and five good gardening habits that will help fight a termite threat.

Termite-attracting gardening habits

• Planting too close to your home. A common gardening scheme includes planting beds which hide the foundation of your home. These create an environment which encourages termites into your foundations, giving the moistness required and creating a natural pathway to the under-build and beyond.
• Removing treated soil. Soil next to your foundations may have been treated with liquid termiticide. Keen gardeners often mistakenly dig this over in efforts to improve aesthetic qualities, but all that is accomplished is the removal of this protective barrier.
• Wood products mulches. Many gardeners use mulch for the goodness of their gardens and to control weeds. A wood-product mulch is a termite attractor, and if it is placed right up to the house borders on an open invitation to the local termite colony.
• Leaf build-up. When leaves fall in the autumn, gardeners begin the never-ending fight to keep their gardens clear of dead foliage. If fallen leaves are left too long, they can clog gutters and drains, and provide the perfect habitat for a thriving termite colony to expand and attack your home.
• Over-watering. A well-presented garden requires water to thrive. In an effort to maintain correct soil moisture, gardeners will over-water, creating the damp surroundings that termites love.

Termite-fighting gardening habits

• Keep a safe distance. Add colour to the garden by planting beds away from your home’s foundations, and avoid digging treated ground next to your home’s walls. Clear the garden of leaves and other debris on at least a weekly basis
• Wood alternatives. Use mulches that are made from non-wood products, such as pine straw, gravel, rocks, and rubber.
• Water control. Make sure that taps and water pipes are kept in good repair, checking regularly and fixing drips quickly. Seal around pipes and utility lines where water may enter.
• Pipe maintenance. Maintain gutters and downspouts, clearing all debris as soon as it appears, and divert water away from foundations.
• Store wood away from your home. If you keep a wood store, make sure it is well away from the home and keep untreated wood away from the soil.

For professional help with termite control services contact the team at pink.