The Real Cost of Termite Protection

If you think finding termites in your home is a shock, wait until you hear much the repairs can cost! What’s worse is the costs associated with termite damage are not typically covered by standard homeowner’s insurance policies.

5 signs you may have termites:

You hear a quiet clicking sound from your walls.
Your walls and doors sound hollow when tapped on.
Evidence of droppings that look like tiny grains in small piles near walls.
Timber structures in or around your home become swollen, splintered or paint is blistering.
If not caused by water or dampness, your doors and windows may be difficult to open and close.

While the damage done by termites can be severe and costly, there are ways to help protect your home against termite infestations. The cost of termite protection now can save you the stress, money and hassle in the future. Here’s what you need to know.

How much damage can termites really cause?

In 2006, the Australian Institute of Architects reported more than 130,000 homes in Australia were affected by termites. With the average cost of repairs for termite damage and treatment adding up to around $7,000, that stacked up to more than a billion dollars spent on termite damage in Australia alone. And this was before the rise in infestations and the cost of repairs and treatment.

How long does it take for termites to cause irreparable damage? The answer is within 12 months. With a queen termite living for upwards of 50 years and workers up to 6 years, that’s a lot of properties just one colony can invade and deemed unrepairable. So, what’s the cost of termite protection to stop them in their tracks?

How do you prevent a termite invasion?

You want to make your property and home as unwelcoming for termites as possible. Follow these steps to help avoid your home becoming part of the statistics we listed above for the next year:

Book in and follow through with regular termite inspections carried out by a professional.
Ensure any water can drain away from your home and reduce any increased moisture, such as a damp subfloor.
Avoid having substantial garden beds close to the home, especially if they require frequent watering.
Check your roof guttering and downpipes are flowing efficiently.
Fix any leaks inside or outside the home as soon as possible.
Remove any unnecessary paper or wood products from around the home or yard, including avoiding using wood mulch.
Store firewood away from your property.
Keep areas under your home clear.
If you find a termite mound, do not break it open. Call a professional.

What are the types of termite barriers available in Australia?

Other than using steel or treated timber framework for your home, there are two main types of termite barriers—physical barriers and chemical barriers.

Physical barriers are designed to stop termites being able to chew through access points in the home. Either stainless-steel mesh or granulated rock is placed in the soil, walls and other access points on the outside of the home, so termites have more trouble finding a way in.

Chemical barriers are the more popular option as they can be sprayed under concrete slabs and foundation, as well as around the perimeter of the home. This type of barrier lasts a few years and need to be reapplied every now and again.

Remember, no matter how termite-resistant you think your home is, nothing beats having regular termite inspections carried out by a professional. We said it once and we’ll say it again; the cost of termite protection now is so worth it.

What to do if you find termites in your home.

If you find evidence of termites or the termites themselves in your home, do not disturb them. They can not be treated with over-the-counter sprays, and attempting to do so will simply agitate them, causing them to spread to other areas of your home.

Instead, you should contact a termite specialist straight away. An expert in this field will know exactly what to do in terms of getting rid of them and how to prevent them from returning.

Need more tips about termites and pests? We’ve compiled a list of our top pest control blogs below

Find the best Termite Inspections & Treatment in Australia

Sarah Russo

UX Content Writer

Sarah Russo is a UX Content Writer at Localsearch with a decade of experience in traditional and digital marketing. She has written for and assisted in the social media and marketing strategies for many different industries, including real estate, medical, health and fitness, trades and beauty. When she isn’t nose deep in data, SEO research or her content strategy, Sarah is a gym junkie, foodie and gamer with a brain full of random facts that come in handy far more often than you would think. As a digital marketing all-rounder and lifestyle specialist, her articles provide insight into marketing, advertising and branding for small businesses on the Localsearch Business Blog, as well as some handy lifestyle tips on the Localsearch Blog.

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