Buying a Home? Ten Facts You Must Know About Termites

Termites! They are everywhere and in Australia they are a real problem. A little known fact is that there are areas in Sydney that are termite-prone. If your home is located in one of these zones then you should have regular inspections scheduled. Another thing to keep in mind is if you are planning on purchasing a new home in Sydney then you need to make sure that the previous owners has been working to combat any such termite problem, because the last thing you need is to take on a big problem that can get much worse.

The long and short of it is you need to pest control your home in Sydney - irrespective of the fact whether you own a home or are paying rent. If you still do not think you need to take this precautionary action, here are 10 termite facts that you must know:

1. Termites are a major problem in Australia. If you have a home that is termite infested then the damage they can cause can be financially crippling. It is proven that there are millions of dollars in losses ever year in Australia due to termite damage.

2. The estimate for new termite damage is about 130,000 homes each year. There are about 20% of homes damaged by termites in Australia.

3. Flood, fire and storms are bad, however the loss realized from termite damage is 5 times that of the other three hazards combined.

4. Coptotermes Acinaciformis (subterranean) and Kolatermes (dry wood termites) are the most common termite species in Sydney. These termites are well known for attacking structures that are brick and steel as well as those that are timber framed.

5. Termites are adaptable and they develop a taste for the materials that are commonly used in the construction of houses.

6. One averaged sized termite colony can chew up a room’s floor in just 3 months - yes, termites have quite an irrepressible appetite.

7. Once termites get inside, they do not stop at chomping just building materials - they begin feasting on furniture, clothing material, footwear and even electrical wiring.

8. If you find termites in your home and attempt to destroy them or their colony, they will come back with more brute force. This is because they live in the soil and can easily dig their way to safer places inside the earth and come back again because they know their source of food is in your home. It is best you leave the job to experts.

9. You may already know that you can determine if you have termites by tapping on wood with the handle of a screwdriver. However, even the smallest of taps could actually break through the termite-chewed wood. This can disturb the termites and make it harder to treat them.

10. You should only use an expert who is experienced and specially trained as they are the only ones qualified to treat termite related issues.

So if you are a home owner or are planning on purchasing a home then you need to consult a pest control agency that is experienced in termites to treat your home. If you try to ignore or avoid these problems then you will only be compromising your wealth and health.