Our Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance requires us to carry out our termite treatments which include treated zone installations and termite baiting programs in accordance with the Australian Standards, manufacturers instructions, product labels and our insurers directives.
This ensures that we achieve very good treatment outcomes whilst complying with the Standards and our Duty of Care to you the client.
10 Steps to treating your Termite Problem.
Step 1
Onsite discussion with you the client.
This involves an onsite discussion to assess the specific area of concern and confirm clearly if there is evidence of termites attacking your home. This is a no obligation appraisal and professional advice.
Step 2
Conduct an 8 page Visual Termite Inspection Report of property in accordance with Australian Standard AS 3660.2-2000.
Step 3
Based on the findings of the Report a Termite Treatment Proposal is prepared.
Step 4
Termite Treatment Proposal and recommendations are discussed with Client. Any limitations to proposal are outlined. Clients’ investment agreed upon and signed off. Deposit paid.
Step 5
Work commences at agreed time. Site Risk Assessment carried out.
Internal termite activity treated with agreed dust such as Termidor or Intrigue. All termite activity must be eliminated and all termite entry points located and leads destroyed. Entry areas treated.
This may take several re-applications and inspections.
Step 6
Client must remove/attend to conducive conditions as per recommendations in Treatment Proposal.
Step 7
Once termites have been eliminated from structure install complete and continuous treated zones using approved termiticide such as Termidor at the highest rate.
Step 8
Issue client Certificate of Termite Treatment. Install Durable Notice.
Step 9
Install termite monitoring system around building.
Step 10
Conduct 8 page Visual Termite Inspection Report of property in accordance with Australian Standard AS 3660.2-2000 30-90 days after completion of treated zone and again at 5-7 months.
General Information
Approved methods of preventative termite control are covered by Australian Standard AS 3660.1 (2000).
The most popular include:
· Dusting
· Foaming
· Treated Zones
· Baiting and Monitoring
PleaseNote: Chemical treatments can only be carried out by fully licensed pest controllers.
Dusting
Dusts can be applied as stand alone treatments, or as part of a combined approach.
They are used as a first mode of action to treat active termites within the structure/building. A small amount of dust containing a chemical active ingredient is applied to the infested timber or ‘termite workings’. When skillfully applied enough termites will be encased in the dust and will eventually take it back to the nest. As grooming takes place within the nest the active ingredient is spread throughout the colony.
Several treatments are often required before termites are eliminated from the structure and a chemical treated zone can be installed.
The most common dusts are Termidor Dust and Intrigue.
Foaming
Foaming equipment turns liquid termiticide into foam that can be used to treat voids and difficult access areas.
Excellent surface area contact can be achieved without excessive run off or over application.
The product expansion ratio of 30 to 1 can fill all crevices and offers excellent residual results.
Treated Zones
After all evidence of termite activity has ceased within the building and the grounds a liquid termiticide Treated Zone can be installed.
The process involves trenching around the perimeter of the house and treating the soil or drilling and pressure injecting through concrete paths.
In the case of concrete pathways/driveways we will always recommend that a contractor be hired to cut the concrete and the concrete be removed. This is because the resulting treated zone will always be superior to the more traditional and popular drill and inject method.
Obviously the choice is yours and you have to decide whether you would like to see permanent drill holes surrounding your house which can look ugly and reduce its value or a channel which can be filled with say decorative gravel and re treated effectively every 5 years.
The main types of available chemical termiticides are:
Chlorpyrifos
Old style termiticide. It is an organophosphate and acts as a contact poison. It has a very short life span and is the most toxic to mammals. We do not use this in our treatments.
Bifenthrin
Is a Synthetic Pyrethroid and acts as a contact poison. It spreads poorly in soil so is not such a good choice when drilling and injecting. It is generally long lasting and is effective when trenching, flooding, backfilling and re flooding.
Although there are many generic versions available we prefer to use Biflex®.
Imidaclorprid
Premise is a non repellent termiticide that has no odour or airborne residue and is completely safe for humans and mammals. In fact, the active ingredient in Premise (imacadclorapid) is used for flea control on cats and dogs (Advantage).
It is manufactured by Bayer and because it is non repellent termites can move freely through the treated area and “pick-up” the formulation. This is then transferred back to the colony and can result in colony elimination.
It has been in use in Australia for 6 years and spreads more effectively in soil making it more suitable for drilling and injecting.
Its key features are:
Provides a highly effective treated zone
Spreads well in soil (lateral spread)
Kills termites
Produces no measurable airborne residues
No odour
No solvents
Low risk to humans
No irritancy
Provides long term protection of the structure
Fipronil
Like Premise Termidor is a non repellant termiticide and therefore the termites cannot avoid the treatment. It has the unique TRANSFER EFFECT™.
Termidor will prevent concealed termite entry to structures for a minimum of 8 years on ALL TERMITE SPECIES - a claim no other termite control product can make. Termidor is fast - on average, termite activity was eliminated within 4.3 weeks in Australian trials.
Termidor is less water-soluble and binds more tightly to the organic matter in soil than other non-repellent termiticides. This means it stays where it is applied.
Termidor has been used on over 2 million homes in the US and over 15000 buildings in Australia since its introduction in 2002.
Termite Baiting and Monitoring
A Termite Baiting and Monitoring Program is designed to monitor your home for termite activity and when necessary eliminate termites and their colonies before they enter your home. It acts like a termite alarm system.
The termite baiting system is strategically installed around your property in order to detect and control termite colonies. The stations are checked periodically and bait is placed in those stations in which termite activity is found. Once a colony is controlled, monitoring continues to help protect your home.
Monitoring and baiting can be done without entering your home, so the service can be performed unobtrusively and without disrupting your schedule.
There are many DIY versions available for purchase but the baits used must still applied by a licensed pest controller.
Bait systems can be applied as stand alone treatments, or as part of a combined approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are white ants the same as termites?
Yes. The term "white ant" is a commonly used term for termites although they are actually more closely related to cockroaches.
Do you offer a warranty with your Termite Treatments?
Yes, in most cases a 12 month free service period is offered to you. However sometimes due to conditions beyond our control like the type of building construction we may not be able to offer a Free Service Period.
The annual free service period may be extended annually provided necessary regular inspections and other essential control measures are carried out as recommended.
How often should I have my house inspected?
The Australian Standard AS3660.2-2000 recommends that regular competent inspections should be carried out at least on an annual basis.
Does a brick home on a concrete slab stop termites?
Most homes that are attacked by termites are brick veneer homes on a concrete slab. Termites readily penetrate concrete slab floors through gaps such as expansion joints and cracks and also alongside service penetrations such as pipes, drain etc. They can also gain entry over the outside edge of the slab floor by building mud shelter tubes that protect termites from the elements.
This form of construction is one of the highest risk types in terms of termite attack.
Do termites eat hardwood?
Termite's natural food is gum tree that is a hardwood. Not all hardwood is resistant.
How often should I have my Treated Zone re applied?
It will depend on a number of factors such as type of construction, conducive conditions and previous termiticide used. As a ball park estimate every 5 years.
Is a baiting and monitoring system enough to protect my house?
These systems do not stop termites attacking your home. They are very good at destroying the nests of termites that may attack your home at a later date ONCE the termites find the monitoring station. Finding the stations happens randomly when termites are foraging for food.
Do you have professional indemnity and public liability insurance?
Yes. We are insured through pacific International via Rapid Insurance. We have $5million worth of General and Public Liability insurance and $500 000 worth of Professional Indemnity insurance.
){kind=small}
){kind=logo}
)
){kind=logo}
)
