Termite Treatment in Ipswich
Termites represent one of the oldest types of pests, going back hundreds of million of years, along with cockroaches. Being part of colonies that go from a few hundred to an incredible range of millions, it is no wonder that their mere presence near a house is highly undesirable. But the negative impact they bring to populated areas is not just by numbers.
Besides dead plants, termites feed on cellulose, which can be found in wood, soil and faecal matter. Their appetite for wood, in particular, poses a great threat to numerous buildings and other wooden objects. Although some species of termites (of which there are 3000+) have large, visible nests in the wild, the exact location of subterranean ones can often be difficult to track. Even those living in wood can be difficult to spot when infecting structures built by man. They also have the longest known lifespan of any insect in the world, with queens living up to 50 years.
Although they have a serious ecological importance as recyclers in the wild, they are considered to be pests when found in locations populated by people. We will look at how you can get a termite inspection in Ipswich, followed by treatment. But first, let’s learn a few things about termites.
Distribution and categories
Termites are widely spread across the world, although only in warm habitats. There are three main categories to be named: dampwood, drywood and subterranean. Dampwood termites live in coniferous forests, while drywood ones can be found in hardwood forests. Subterranean termites, however, can be found in diverse areas.
Damage caused
Cryptotermes brevis, an invasive drywood species when it comes to Australia, is able to live completely inside hardwood or softwood timbers, but also in man-made wood structures such as buildings or furniture. The fact that they do not need outside resources such as light or water makes them quite difficult to track in a timely manner. When you do a termite inspection in Ipswich, it is not unusual to realise that, by the time they are spotted, the damage had already been done on the inside of the wood.
Having a good ability of staying hidden, drywood termites can also easily make their way into new homes or other human-populated areas. They can be unknowingly transported through regular wood objects and containers.
Cryptotermes brevis, commonly known as the West Indian drywood termite, is the most widely introduced species on the planet. Their effects on buildings can be devastating, requiring significant repairs. These can be slow, costly and difficult to execute, sometimes requiring replacing the whole damaged structure with a new one. A timely termite treatment in Ipswich can be of great help in such cases.
Besides buildings and furniture, termites can also have a negative impact on food crops. Some trees can be extremely vulnerable to the damage caused by their ability of devouring wood.
Termite Treatment in Ipswich
In order to be safe, a periodic termite inspection is advised (at least once a year). Seeing the expensive damage these pests can cause, a termite inspection in Ipswich is an affordable first step in preventing or limiting the issue.
The way it works is by having one of our experienced termite consultants visually examine the home, looking at the areas that show vulnerability and making a report. A solution is then agreed upon, based on your budget and what is deemed to be most suitable for your situation.
Some typical solutions include chemical treatment of the soil around the house in order to keep termites at bay, timber baits, toxic powders applied to the colonies and more. Our pest control specialists will offer advice regarding the procedure applied, the life expectancy of the treatment, good measures to prevent further infestations and more. Prices can also vary significantly with each situation, making consultations with specialists mandatory in order to know what to expect.