Tips for Getting Rid of Subterranean Termites

There are five main nesting types used by termites in Australia. Some termites, such as drywood termites, find that the timbers used in the construction of buildings replicate the sort of habitat they would prefer in the wild. You will need a professional to help you get rid of them if they start to bore into rafters and joists, but it is possible to take preventative measures to stop them in the first place. Simply keeping your timbers varnished, weatherproofed and painted, for instance, is a good measure. Equally, there are countermeasures you can take to prevent unwanted subterranean termites on your property, as well. What are they?

Remove Tree Stumps

Numerous colonies of subterranean termites are found where a tree or a large shrub used to grow. If you have taken out a tree or two around your garden or business premises to improve light or access, then it may well be that there is a stump slowly rotting where it once was. This is just the sort of place that a subterranean colony will establish itself because it means there is a food source close by. Additionally, root balls above a termite colony tend to offer a degree of protection to termites. Therefore, it is worth taking the time and effort to dig out these old stumps. Saw away roots and raise them with a fork. If the tree stump is too large, then using a mini-digger may be advisable. Either way, removing root balls will discourage the presence of many subterranean termite species.

Drain Water Sources

Termites may live underground, but that does not mean they do not need access to water. If there is a pond or a stream close by, then it can be a good idea to drain it temporarily, especially if you are removing many tree stumps. Diverting a stream may mean that termites run out of water and need to shift their colony to another location. In some cases, it will simply reduce their numbers until the colony is no longer viable.

Apply Termiticides

This is something you might like a professional do for you since it involves the use of some noxious chemicals. Essentially, you will want to dig a shallow trench around your garden and pour the termiticide fluid within it. Once covered over, the chemicals will target termites that cross over the invisible barrier. Those it doesn't kill immediately are not likely to survive for long because when they return to their colony, they will smell different and not be accepted by the other insects.

Reach out to professionals for more information about termite treatments.


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