Many property owners and dwellers think that termites are nothing but a minor annoyance. However, when undetected and left to their own devices, these heinous pests can cause a significant amount of damage to your home in as little as a few months. As a result, it is recommended that regular termite inspections be carried out, especially if your property is comprised of a significant amount of wood.

How Termites Spread

Termites will migrate towards areas where they can easily find a food source. Once the King and Queen of a termite colony have mated, they will move around to locate a source of food that contains a significant amount of cellulose. Owing to the fact that most types of wood consist of between 40% and 50% cellulose, it makes perfect sense as to why these pests will form colonies and establish large nests in any section of your home that consists of timber.

Because termites are known for never sleeping, they have become known as the busiest pest known to mankind. Once the king and queen have managed to locate a nest, the infestation has already been well established and has made its way deeply into the wood. Experts have noted that a colony of termites is able to completely destroy timber roofing and walls within as little as 3 months.

How to Determine Whether Termites Have Infested a Property

Two of the most commonly identified termite species in the Victoria region are Coptotermes Frenchi and Coptotermes Acinaciformis, and they are known to cause more than 70% of the termite damage in the properties throughout the Victoria state. The fact that both of these species tend to avoid light means that they can be extremely difficult to detect – that is, until significant property damage has already been done. This is just one reason why the Australian Pest Control Association recommends that you hire a professional to conduct a termite inspection in your home.

Do Termites Really Consume and Damage Wood?

The answer to this question is a resounding, “Yes!” In fact, the main reason why termites eat wood is because it contains a high concentration of cellulose – their favourite food source. Because the vast majority of Australian homes are at least partially constructed from wood, it puts them at an extremely high risk of being infested with termites and irreparably damaged. If termites are discovered, it’s imperative that they not be disturbed. This will prevent them from moving along and establishing a new nest elsewhere in your home.

Determining the Cost of a Termite Infestation

Unfortunately, there is no standard cost when dealing with termites. Having a full inspection performed is the only way to determine how much damage has been done by them. As a result, the level of damage could be minor or you could end up having to replace your entire home if the damage is too severe. It’s important to remember though, that the longer you wait to address termite infestations, the more serious the damage will end up being.

If you suspect that your home is infested with termites or you’d just like to be sure that it isn’t, contact us to arrange a thorough termite inspection today.