Termites!

by: Bruce Gow

How Do You Select A Termite Control Firm?

A question I am commonly asked is "Who is the best pest control firm for my termite problem?"

Selecting the services of a competent, ethical termite control company is important because termite control requires specialized knowledge available only from professionals armed with the appropriate accreditation and equipment. Makes sure that you make your selection after going through the points below:

1. Make sure the company offers a guarantee
Also make sure you understand what the guarantee means, including the terms and conditions and how long the guarantee is offered.

2. Ask The Operator To Show You His License
Apart from having an Urban Pest Control license, they should also be accredited in units 8 & 10 in order to perform termite control or termite inspections.

NSW Urban Pest Control (Licensing) - This course covers competency units 5, 6 & 18, those required for Pest Management Licensing by WorkCover NSW.

Pest Inspection – Timber - This course covers competency units 8 & 10, those required to obtain timber pest insurance cover. Always ask to sight their license before you agree to have any work started

3. Ascertain if They Carry Insurance
In the area of termite pest control, it is imperative that they carry current insurance, in case something goes wrong. This includes both Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability. Ask to see proof that they are insured with enough cover to protect your asssets.

4. Obtain at Least 3 Different Quotes
Get at least 3 different quotes from firms with the appropriate accreditation and equipment and compare pricing before making decisions. It is important to request the plan of work revealing sites of termite activity and treatment procedures. Ask for written information on chemical treatment procedures, bait station placement, warranties, copies of insecticide labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

5. Ask About Follow Up Treatments and Inspections
Follow-up inspections should be included in any termite treatments. The termite control proposal should include regular inspections to verify that a treated home is not re-infested. Further treatments may be needed, especially in baiting and difficult access.

Termites, which are wood-destroying insects common in most areas of Australia, cause many millions of dollars of damage annually. Australia has two major types of termites: subterranean termites, which live in the soil and are found throughout the state; and drywood termites, which attack sound, dry wood and are most abundant in Northern coastal areas of Australia. One house in 3 will get attacked at some time andmore homes are destroyed by termites than fire, flood and earthquake combined, so its important that you get the right firm for the job.

If you suspect you have a termite infestation, the following steps will help you select a termite control service:

• Don’t panic
Termites work slowly, so your house will not collapse or be ruined overnight. Do not become unduly alarmed if you learn that termites are, or may be, attacking your home. The sound of termites may be heard within the timbers of your home. This is normal communication and it increases when they are disturbed, as a warning to others within the colony. It is NOT a feeding noise, so don't be unnecessarily worried about this sound.

• Take your time
Do not permit anyone to rush you into buying termite control services. Take the time you need to make an informed decision. Delaying a few weeks makes no difference. There is always time to buy this service wisely and at your convenience. Termites may even begin attacking a home soon after construction.

Time is obviously more pressing if you are trying to sell your home and a real estate transaction is pending. If the infestation was discovered with enough time before closing on the transaction, a treatment can still be chosen and performed to the satisfaction of the buyer, seller and mortgage company. Closing can also be postponed temporarily until the treatment is completed, although this is usually not preferred by the parties concerned.

A proper inspection should include a written report noting:

• The location of areas of active or inactive termite infestations;

• The location and number of treatments to be made to control the infestation. A diagram of the structure should be included, which is extremely helpful in indicating the location of structural features such as porches, utility accesses and areas of wood-to-soil contact, as well as areas with drainage or moisture problems in or near the structure.

• An estimated cost of control. Determine whether the estimate is a firm price, and be cautious if it is not. If you decide to obtain more than one opinion, quote or inspection, let each firm involved know that other firms were contacted.

Baits versus soil barriers

Baiting systems

Several choices in baiting systems are available from termite control services. Using baiting systems requires that the applicator have specific knowledge to apply the baits correctly. It also demands continual monitoring.

Some baiting systems are advertised to be able to stand alone, or be totally sufficient for termite control; others are used in combination with liquid termiticides. In our experience, baits require several trips to the job site for installation and monitoring. Control may take from a few weeks to more than a year and are NOT sufficient as a stand alone treatment.

Soil barriers
We prefer to use Termidor termite control for soil barriers. Termidor is a non-repellent, low odour, soil applied residual termiticide for the protection and control of subterranean termites in and around domestic and commercial structures.

Advantages
Termidor is non-repellant and non-detected by subterranean termites and has a.unique "Transfer Effect". It has a long residual life when applied as a barrier treatment and is a water based, odourless formulation. Termidor is the only product with the "Transfer Effect" which means that the product not only provides a barrier to termite entry, but may also be transferred to other termites and wipe out the entire colony.

The steps below best describe the procedure for optimum termite treatment:

-The building owner should try to minimise water entering under and around the building and improve drainage to reduce moisture accumulating in these areas.

-Ventilation of sub-floor areas should also be optimised to reduce moisture accumulation.

-The area under the floor should be kept free from any debris-timber such as off-cuts of wood or firewood.

-Treat with a residual chemical soil barrier such as TERMIDOR in compliance with AS3660.2.

-Regular inspections should be carried out (at least annually as recommended by AS3660 Series).

-If any additional subsequent building or landscaping work causes disruption to the chemical soil barrier it must be restored to maintain protection.

Australian Standards
Professional Pest Control Managers installing a chemical soil barrier around an existing building should be familiar with the Australian Standard 3660.2 which provides information relating to installation of chemical soil termite barriers.

Period of Protection
Data currently available indicates that this product, when applied as a soil treatment around or under a building or structure in accordance with this label, will be effective against subterranean termites for a minimum period of eight years. Delayed mortality effects may be observed, meaning termites may live and continue to be active several weeks after penetrating the treated zone.

To reestablish the treated zone after the 8 year period of protection, re-application at full rates is required.

The actual protection period will also be affected by factors such as termite pressure, climatic and soil conditions and subsequent soil disturbance.

Re-inspection
As with all chemical termiticides, regular inspections (at least annually) by a competent licensed Pest Control Operator are recommended as bridging and breaching of barriers can occur. The need for re-treatment should be determined as a result of these inspections.

Beware of Termite Control Firms that:

• Quote a price based only on the number of litres of pesticide used.

• Have no company name or licence listed on there vehicle

• Claim to have excess chemical left over from another job and offer a reduced price if they can do the treatment immediately.

Most termite control firms are reliable, legitimate businesses respected in their communities. A few in the industry are out to rip you off and/or use dangerous practices. If you are aware of a pest control firm that is traveling around in an unmarked vehicle, or using unsafe practices, report them to your local authority. In NSW Australia you can report them to Workcover.

At All Guard Pest Control, all of our operators are licensed and fully accredited operators. Why consider using anyone else? You can contact us for further information on termite control on Free Call 1800 333 337 or email us at info@allguardpestcontrol.com.au