Now, being in Victoria , you might have thought that termites are a pest in the tropics, or the stuff of movies, it will never happen here! I used to think that way as well – that was until I saw something flying around my own home… this turned into quite a lot of somethings and we found them coming from a wall! Turns out, termites are everywhere and they will come to your home if a young queen finds your place a tasty treat to build her colony in! Luckily for us, we caught them early on and had minimal damage to fix (one door frame), but if you don’t keep an eye out, things could be much much worse!
If any of your investment properties are at risk of termite infestation, there are things you can do to protect your property proactively. The best way to prevent termites is by first understanding what attracts these pests in the first place. Here, we share some of the things you should do to protect your property, so it’s kept termite-free at all times.
Remember what attracts termites
Termites like to eat timber and cellulose material such as newspaper. They love to nest in moist, warm, dark places, and this is why the internal structures in a home can be prone to termite infestation. It’s important to ensure the soil around your property isn’t retaining too much moisture, and any leaks are addressed quickly. For us, they had snuck in through the bathroom pipes and started to nibble on the wooden door frame of our en-suite!
Look for clues if you think your property has termites
While termites are small and probably difficult to notice with the naked eye, there are some clues that’ll be left around your property if you have termites. Some clues to look out for include mud tubes on your walls, nests and small holes in your trees (they do like to live in large gum trees), damage to external trims and skirting boards, tapping sounds in the walls that increase at night, and mud-mound nests outside the property or in your garage and other dark areas of the home.
Keep your land clean and clear
As we mentioned above, termites love to nest in damp soil and internal structures within the home. Preventing termites from nesting in these areas at your investment properties starts with keeping the gardens and lawn clean and tidy- don’t have large trees close to the house. Make sure you keep plants and shrubs trimmed pack and that all soil is well-drained.
Block tempting entry points
Termites often find their way into properties through wood and soil that’s in contact with the home. Try to limit any wooden trellis structures leaning against the property and don’t keep fencing, spare timber or firewood next to the property. If there are any cracks in the walls or the foundations of your property, you should get these filled as soon as possible.
Get a professional to help
Investing in getting the help of a professional to check your property for termites and identify any risky areas that may attract them will be much cheaper than needing to pay for fixing a termite infestation problem down the track. For that reason, getting a professional to help with prevention treatments now can be a good idea.
Remember the tips above will help you check if your property has termites and proactively protect your property too. If you’re feeling unsure, contact a professional for their opinion so you can have peace of mind that your property is protected. We have some great pest controllers that we use for the properties we have under management – so if you need a recommendation, get in touch!
Remember, this article does not constitute financial or legal advice. Please consult your professional financial and legal advisors before making any decisions for yourself.