Jan 16

Termite Treatment Advice & FAQ

Posted by Pest Control

Termites are a home owner’s biggest fear (aside from the mortgage!). The value of a property can be greatly reduced by the presence of termites, and termite treatment can cost a lot of money.

If you are in the unfortunate scenario of having to arrange for a pest controller to treat termites in your home, here are some tips courtesy of Quotify:

  • Termite inspections typically take an hour or two, depending on the size of your property
  • It is not recommended to attempt termite treatment yourself. Termites need to be treated by experts to get the job done right the first time
  • Obtain several quotes and compare them. Present quotes to other pest controllers and ask for their opinion of the competitor’s quote
  • There is a chance that upon the inspection, structural damage due to termites may be identified. If this is the case, you will need to have the damage repaired. The pest controller may have several leads for tradespeople who may be able to assist you
  • If your neighbours are hit by termites, you should consider an inspection on your property as well

Visit Quotify for more information on pest control and termite treatment.

Nov 2

Termite Control In Sydney

Posted by Pest Control

We’re coming up to termite season! Not something that anyone looks forward to, but November and December are the months when the south eastern side of Australia is an unwilling host to termites looking to breed and build colonies. Termite control in Sydney at this time is a priority for owners of homes which consist of wood and finding the cheapest pest controller who will carry out a good job can be a challenge.

How do you know if your home is at risk or already attracting a termite colony? Have a walk around your house and try to identify any holes or other types of entrance paths that the termites might use. If you see a lot of insects flying around certain areas, it’s going to be well worth checking out where they are coming from and going to. Termites can nest and eat away at wood without you knowing until it’s too late so don’t dismiss even the smallest of signs.

Many people might think that termite treatment is costly and may opt to attempt a do it yourself job, but be warned that when dealing with these destructive pests it is almost always the wrong way to approach it. Unlike other pests which may just be a nuisance, termites should be treated with additional priority as they have the potential to devalue your biggest asset - your home. A small investment on a termite inspection is worth the peace of mind you will have that the value of your home is not affected by termite damage.

Another reason to bring in a professional pest controller to treat termites is the fact that termites will relocate their colony to another part of the house if disturbed. This is a primary reason why many do it yourself jobs fail.

Should you need to get quotes on a termite inspection there is a great service offered by Quotify.com.au who have a large database of pest controllers. Simply fill out a short form with your details and requirements and in no time you will have suitable termite controllers calling you with quotes. How easy is that!

Is it time for your home to get a check up? Try finding the best quotes from the best pest controllers in Sydney at Quotify.com.au

Oct 8

Which Termite Control Company?

Posted by Pest Control

Whether you’ve positively identified termites in your home or just looking for a routine check up, selecting a good termite controller is an extremely important task. A careless termite controller may not do a proper job which then leaves the possibilty that the termites may return. This is definitely a scenario you want to avoid as termite treatment is a costly exercise to begin with.

Follow some of these hints to ensure that you get the right person for the job:

  • The termite controller must have a license. Termite treatment involves the use of chemicals and other specialised equipment which should only be handled by a trained, licensed professional
  • Be sure to ask about the actual person that will be coming to carry out the inspection and treatment. Does the business employ trainees? If so a supervisor must be present with the trainee to oversee all work
  • Inspections and treatment if required should be carried out by the same person. A different person should not carry out the treatment based on notes provided by the inspector
  • Pest controllers should have insurance - both public liability and professional indemnity
  • Ask in detail about their warranty conditions. Don’t be rushed into reading it, a better option may be to request a copy of their terms and conditions prior to engaging into the treatment phase
  • Use the Internet to research. These days it is quite easy to find out information on prospective pest controllers. Search on Google for their business name to see what information might be floating about online!
  • Ask friends and family. Can they recommend a pest controller they have dealt with?

Following these tips will help you make the most of your money and most importantly, protect your home from the dangers of termites.

For more information on termite control visit Quotify.com.au

Oct 8

Detecting & Identifying Termites

Posted by Pest Control

You would hope that you will never have to detect any termites, but the reality is that about a third of Australian home owners will face the task of termite eradication. Termites excel at hiding their tracks, eating out wood without leaving obvious signs of destruction. Once detected, the structural damage may already be too heavy for treatment and may need repairs.

There are a few signs that you can look out for which may indicate termite activity in your home. One such indication is the presence of mud shelters which are tubes built by termites to enable them to cross obstacles. As termites do not like the dry environment of the outside, these mud tubes replicate their underground surroundings whilst allowing them to travel outside.

Here are a few things to look out for in detecting termites:

  • Inspect your house for bridges of wood that connect the ground to the home
  • Use a screwdriver to check for damaged wood which can be easily pierced
  • If you have timber floors, check to see that they are not sagging or feel weaker in places

You will of course feel much better having a termite inspection carried out by a professional pest controller. In the long run, frequently checking for termites will keep the value of your home high and prevent any nasty surprises. Aim for a termite inspection at least once every 12 months!

Oct 8

Introduction to Termites

Posted by Pest Control

Termites are a nightmare for home owners. These dreaded little pests that devalue the home affect about 1 in every 3 Australian residences. Surprisingly, there are hundreds of species of termites that can be found in Australia. Even more surprising is the fact that only a few dozen of these species are actually harmful to the home and depending on where you are living this number can be filtered down further.

Some of the most common termite species are:

  • Dry-wood termites
  • Mastotermitidae termites
  • Subterranean termites
  • Dampwood termites

Though termites look like ants, they are not related. In fact termites and ants are enemies at best, and termites do their best to avoid ants as they will be eaten.

In Australia, timber homes are damaged by the subterranean termite. These insects have the ability to move up to 100 metres from their main nest which provides a fairly large target area. The sybterranean termites live in colonies that may contain hundreds of thousands of termites and their nests may be deep in the ground or in the base of trees.This species of termites require an underground system of tunnels that protects them from predators such as ants and also the dry environment outside. So if you have any elements that suit their living, your house may be a suitable target for subterranean termites.