We are currently in the midst of Australian summer– a season where the risk of insect infestation is at its highest. If you live in areas that stay relatively warm all year, your likelihood of pests may remain pretty stable. However, certain seasonal factors can still influence which types of insects are drawn to your home and what encourages them to stay.
Take termites, for instance. These harmful creatures can cause major damage to your property if left untreated, and sometimes infestations won’t even . During the summer months, they are highly active and particularly drawn to domestic environments as a spot to breed and build new nests. If a termite decides your home is a suitable place to set up shop, they will start reproducing almost immediately.
Female termites lay up to thousands of eggs a day. Once hatched, the new termites will begin looking for sustenance in the form of cellulose and other organic fibres. If they are living within your property, the most efficient source for food will be your home’s foundation.
Who Is At Risk?
Just because you live in an urban area does not mean you are safe from environmental calamities such as insect infestation. Those living in warm regions, especially within northern Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland are especially susceptible. Even areas as far south as Yarrawonga are at risk of termite damage– especially in summer. It is crucial to take measures to deter termites as soon as you notice them, if not before. Otherwise, they may generate effects that put you and your family in danger.
What Can You Do?
We do not tell you this to scare you, but to simply make you aware of the distress that termites can cause. Luckily, there are various preventative methods available to deter termites from your home before they can wreak havoc.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to keep termites out of your home this summer:
- Keep your home cool and dry, as termites are highly attracted to both heat and moisture.
- Cover swimming pools and other open water sources when not in use. Wet environments are an attractive breeding ground for termites.
- To that effect, make sure that drains and gutters are clean and dry.
- Trim and maintain foliage in and around your home, as termites utilise plant fibres as their primary source of nourishment.
- Remove decaying tree stumps, mulch and lumber from around your home to detract termites who might try to eat their cellulose.
- Treat soil and wood around your home with insect repellant to discourage termites from living in or feeding on these organic materials.
- Put screens on your windows to prevent termites and other insects from flying inside.
- Identify and repair other cracks or openings in your home’s foundation that termites may enter through.
- Use yellow-tinted light bulbs, which are less likely than white lights to attract termite swarmers (i.e. flying termites).
Know the Warning Signs
In addition to employing termite prevention techniques, it’s also important to know the signs that they have already infested your home or other property. Their presence is not always as obvious as you may think, so be sure to educate yourself on the subtle signals that termites are near.
If you find termite wings or faeces in your home, or if you see the termites themselves, it is highly likely that the problem is already in full swing. If this is the case, you should take necessary extermination action immediately. In most cases, this will require the assistance of a professional exterminator who will remove the termites from your property and take measures to keep them from coming back.
That being said, other less obvious signs, such as indication of termite nests and tubes or tunnels, are further evidence that termites are already living in or near your home. You should also keep watch for cracked, sagging, warped or otherwise damaged wood within your property, and hollow-sounding timber that implies termites may have eaten away at the internal foundation.
Take Solace in Professional Help
While insect prevention is a good first step towards keeping termites from damaging your home, it is not necessarily enough to keep them at bay indefinitely. We recommend that you invest in the services of a pest control technician in order to completely eradicate your chances of termite attacks.
While it may seem appealing to cut costs and handle the problem on your own, this decision is risky. DIY extermination is not only less effective than professional help, but can also be dangerous due to the tools and chemicals that are needed for the job. Instead, turn to a trusted source for termite solutions in your area.
If you are in need of pest control in Yarrawonga or elsewhere in North Eastern Australia, don’t look too far. There are a multitude of local companies available for your pest prevention and extermination needs. Take note of these termite prevention techniques to keep your home safe this summer, and take comfort in the fact that professional help is available if further problems are to arise.