Myth 1 – NORMAL HOME AND CONTENTS INSURANCE WILL COVER TERMITE DAMAGE 

Normal house and contents insurance does not cover termite damage.

Termites have done more damage to Australian homes over the past twenty years than fires, floods and storms combined. The insurance companies know this and exclude it from their policies.

To ensure that you don’t end up with a nasty damage repair bill and a dispute with your insurance company, your house should be regularly inspected for termites at least once a year.

If any termite activity is found in your property/home you should install an accredited termite management program by a licensed timber pest company which will guarantee their work with an effective termite insurance policy.

Myth 2 – TERMITES CAN’T EAT HARDWOOD

The majority of termites in Australia are hardwood eaters. Some termites eat both softwood and hardwood.

The most common type of termite in the Gold Coast and Brisbane areas is the nasutitermes genus of termite. These termites prefer to eat hardwood. They even move along sections of softwood beams to get to the hardwood. Coptotermes and schedorhinotermes in the region, also eat hardwood.

People who do not get a building and pest inspection of their house because it is steel framed could be making a fatal mistake, particularly in Brisbane and the Gold Coast regions.

Myth 3 – STEEL FRAMED HOUSES DO NOT GET TERMITES

This is a common myth. Termites dont eat steel however they eat all other timber based products within the home such as:

• skirtings
• architraves
• window reveals
• floor boards
• the cardboard backing of gyprock

Our inspectors have seen substantial termite activity/damage in steel framed homes.

Myth 4 – BLACK ANTS IN YOUR GARDEN PREVENT TERMITES

Another common myth is if you have black ants around your property, you won’t have termites because the black ants eat them.

Black ants do eat termites but only if they are exposed and above the ground and out of their shelter tubes.

Termites are rarely sitting exposed above ground. They do not survive in an open environment.

Don’t let the presence of black ants on your property give you a false sense of security.

Myth 5 – YOU CAN IGNORE TERMITES IN A TREE STUMP

Old tree stumps, railway sleepers, old timbers and garden bark etc laying around your property can have termite activity.

The myth is that while they are eating these timbers they will not touch your home.

It’s important to remember there could be between 2,000 and 5,000 new eggs laid every single day.

Termites are constantly traveling underground looking for new sources of food. A termite colony requires access to multiple sources of food. If they’re on your property, they’re definitely going to be searching for new food sources like your house

A termite management program should be installed around the building foot print if any termite activity/damage is found within the bounds of your property or home.

Myth 6 Termite Activity can easily be detected.

Termites travel very quietly. By the time termites are spotted by an untrained eye they are probably well established with a large colony and damage is likely already well underway.

Termites are expert at hiding and choose hard to reach areas.

Myth 7 – A brick home on a concrete slab is always safe.

Termites can not eat brick or cement but they can easily gain access through cracks and joins to house interiors where there is usually a large food source.

Anything containing cellulose or wood like the paper back of gyprock sheeting is a great food source for termites, along with, wood furniture, timber frames, window and door architraves, vanity cabinets and kitchen cupboards.

Myth 8 – There’s no need to worry if your home has been already treated for termites.

A trained professional should do a yearly inspection of your house and property to ensure termite activity does not return.

A professionally installed termite management system tailored specifically for a property is essential.

Termite infestations can quickly return and it does not take long for a large colony to build up. Having your property inspected every year can spare your family the stress of potential damage to your most valuable investment.

Myth 9 – There is already decaying wood and trees on my property, so Termites won’t eat my home.

Termites will eat wood and mulch around your property. This is actually an attractant to lead Termites to your property and into your home.

A termite colony can grow very fast with thousands of eggs being laid in just one day.

Termites will find  their way into your house for an extra food source as the colony grows.

Myth 10 – A Termite management program and treatment costs too much. I can do the Termite treatment myself.

Commercial termite insecticides are usually not strong enough and they have to be deployed in a particular way to take out a entire termite colony.

It is essential to target the right areas and a professional Timber Pest Inspector will know the areas that will need to be targeted on your particular property.

It is pointless to use a topical spray for Termites as termites are subterranean.

A professionally maintained termite management system by an experienced Pest Control Professional is a very low yearly cost compared with the substantial damage to your home that can be created by termites.