Aussies Alerted to Invasive Species Threatening Homes Nationwide
Homeowners in Australia are urged to inspect for termites as they spread due to favorable weather conditions
Australia, Termites, Pest Control, NSW, Homeowners
Sydney: Homeowners in Australia are getting a heads-up about termites. These little critters are on the move, and they can cause some serious damage if they find their way into your home. Experts are saying that the current weather is just right for them to start searching for new places to munch on wood.
With all the humidity and moisture around, termites are leaving their nests to look for food. Bates Pest Control on the NSW South Coast has seen a spike in calls lately. Meryl from the company mentioned that they’ve been finding termites in quite a few homes.
She explained that this happens every year when the weather gets humid, but last year wasn’t too bad. Many folks are now keeping a close eye on their homes or getting inspections done to catch any issues early.
Most homes with termite activity can be treated without too much hassle. Meryl noted that many of these places are being rented out for AirBnBs over the holiday season, which makes things a bit hectic.
Interestingly, wood-eating ants, often called white ants in Australia, can also wreak havoc on timber homes. Just last week, a homeowner found a box full of termites, but luckily it was on concrete. Nearby, though, some wooden pallets were completely falling apart.
Fortunately, the termites hadn’t moved on to the house yet, so the homeowner dodged a bullet. She was understandably anxious about the whole situation, but it could have been much worse.
Termites can cause over $1.5 billion in damage to homes each year, according to a study from the University of Technology Sydney. Alarmingly, research shows that one in three Australian homes will face termite issues at some point.
Some pest inspectors have shared videos online showing how a seemingly solid timber frame can crumble after termites have had their way with it. They’re not kidding when they say to take these pests seriously.
Just like the team at Bates, pest controllers recommend getting annual checks for termites. It’s a smart move to catch them before they do too much damage.
Even if you’re doing everything right, termites can still cause chaos. Recently, a couple found themselves over $100,000 in the hole after buying a fancy property on the Sunshine Coast, only to discover extensive termite damage that wasn’t caught in the pest report.
According to the Australian federal government, termite nests are usually found in walls or near water sources like sinks. They suggest tapping wood to check for hidden damage and looking for any signs of blistering or debris.
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