Tips for Termite Prevention

Gold Coast & Northern Rivers

Termites are small insects who live in colonies and feed on wood and dead plant matter. When a termite infestation moves into your home, it can spell disaster as the pests eat away at the foundation of the house and can cause extensive damage that is costly to fix.  Termite prevention is the best way to keep your home safe and free from these destructive insects.

On the Gold Coast, there are two common types of termites. Subterranean termites, also known as white ants, require soil to provide them with moisture while drywood termites live in galleries within timber and need no connection to the soil for moisture. Read on for our top 5 tips on how to prevent these termites from moving into your home.


Termite Prevention

Reduce the Moisture in Your Home

Subterranean termites need moisture to survive, so one of the best ways to keep them out is to ensure your home is dry. Check that water isn't pooling around the foundation of your home or on the roof, keep basements, bathrooms, laundries, kitchens and crawl spaces moisture-free and repair any plumbing fixtures or air conditioners that may be leaking.

Block Access

You can help to keep termites out by sealing up any opening that leads into your home. Seal cracks, holes and crevices around the house, particularly around water and gas lines. Subterranean termites typically enter through wood-to-ground contact points, so try to reduce these. You can also apply fresh paint over wood to seal crevices and apply a termiticide to repel them.



Reduce Food for Termites

Termites feed on wood and paper, so limiting these in and around your home can help to prevent them from moving inside and causing an infestation. Remove any cellulose materials in crawl spaces and around the house. If you use mulch, keep it far away from the home and treat it with termiticide or swap it for a cellulose-free alternative.

Secure Firewood

Instead of leaving your firewood in the backyard or in a giant pile outside your home, secure it inside a metal framework that prevents pests from finding their way in. You should also keep the exterior of your home clear of dead wood and dead trees as drywood termites can build a nest in them.

Monitor Your Home

You can minimise the risk of a termite infestation by closely monitoring your house at regular intervals. Inspect any lumber or railroad ties before you use it in a DIY gardening project. Keep an eye out for drywood termites in or near wood shingles.



Call the Experts in Termite Prevention Treatments

The best way to keep the termites out is to call in a professional pest company. SafeHouse Pest Control is highly experienced in termite prevention on the Gold Coast and are fully licensed with QBCC, Fire Ant Eradication and Timber Pest Management.