Can you reduce your termite risk while renovating?

Termites are one of the most common pests in Australia. They can cause a lot of damage to your home and property. You may only think of termites when you see a tree die or a dirt pile form near your home. Perhaps you worry about termites when you you’re buying or selling a home. But what risk are termites when you’re renovating?

Termites are a huge risk when renovating. Not only is there the damage they cause that can lead to renovations, or damage to renovations, but once they are in your house, it is hard to get them out. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to reduce your termite risk.

One way is to not disturb the ground where termites are living. This means no digging or removing any part of the ground where termites are active or nesting. Unfortunately, termites can travel up to 100m from the nest, so you may not always be aware if ground works will disturb them.

When you’re extending your home, your builder is required to install physical termite barriers in any slab work and around electrical, water, and sewerage pipes to your home. Often plastic, this physical barrier is a good last line of defence against termites. Well, it’s a good last line of defence when properly installed to ensure there are no gaps or breaks in the system. However, there is more that you can do to reduce your termite risk when renovating your home.

Perhaps you’re not extending, but instead you’re going up or you’re remodelling. Perhaps you’ve pulled sheeting off the walls, ripped up flooring (or floorboards), or you’re installing or moving walls. These internal renovations still give you the opportunity to reduce your termite risk. 

With access to the subfloor, the area between the ground and the floor of your home, you have the opportunity to treat the subfloor area and structure. Many builders will not tell you that this is an option because they can not provide the service and charge you for it (there’s nothing in it for them). However, as a licensed pest controller, MD Pest Control is the right person for the job. We can come in, while there is access to the subfloor and treat the area to deter termites and kill off any rogue and unseen pests.

Finally, you can reduce your termite risk when renovating by installing a termite baiting system. You’ve just increased the value of your home, it makes sense to make an investment in protecting it from termites. A termite baiting system is a series of in-ground baits that attract and bait termites. They take the bait to the nest, killing the colony. Properly maintained, a baiting system provides year-round protection against termites.

Here at MD Pest Control, our team understands that termites can be a major problem when it comes to renovating. If you are planning a renovation and are worried about the potential risk of termite damage, we would be happy to provide you an obligation free quote. Simply contact us at  0407 614 220 or book a service online. Thank you for reading, and we hope this blog post has been helpful.