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Any structure can be attacked by termites. Periodic maintenance should include measures to minimise the possibilities of infestation in and around your home. Factors which may lead to infestation include:
- Edge of concrete slab concealed
- Ensure the edge of your slab is fully exposed.
- Weep holes blocked
- Ensure weep holes are fully exposed.
- Less than 400mm clearance
- Try and improve ventilation to these areas.
- Earth/wood contact
- Remove all such contact areas by lowering or digging away the soil. Use metal stirrups to mount pergolas, etc.
- Damp areas
- Remove moisture sources, repair leaking downpipes, taps, etc and grade soil to ensure run-off.
- Form-work & scrap timber
- Remove all scrap timbers and do not store any timber adjacent to the house.
- Stumps
- Remove or have test drilled and checked by a timber pest manager.
- Mulch
- Try and avoid using mulch on garden beds adjacent to the house.
- Tree branches touching the structure
- Remove all such occurrences.
- Wood rot
- Replace any decayed timbers.
A full Inspection and Report should be carried out every six months. Regular inspections DO NOT stop attack, but may limit the amount of damage by detecting problems early.
Engage a professional pest controller to provide a management program in accord with AS 3660 who is insured.
There is no way of preventing attack. The Australian Standard advises that "the provision of a complete termite barrier will impede and discourage concealed entry into a building. It cannot prevent attack. Termites can still bridge or breach barriers but they can be detected more readily during routine inspections."
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