Top Signs of Termites every homeowner should know

Termites are a Gold Coast wide problem resulting in millions of dollars worth of preventable damage each year. Having a professionally installed termite barrier on Gold Coast properties is a sensible, practical and inexpensive method of protecting your home before termites invade and cause massive amounts of damage. A termite barrier will help save you thousands in repair bills and maintain the value of your buildings, stopping these destructive pests.

These are the top signs of termites every homeowner should know:

· Blisters in woodwork or flooring

When you find what looks like blisters in your wooden floors or the woodwork around your home it indicates that termites are feeding inside the wood. Often the areas infected look like they have water damage, this often starts in the subfloor as the termites work their way through the timbers of your home.

· Damaged or hollowed out wood

As the termites chew through the woodwork around your home in search of cellulose their food source they leave behind long hollow spaces or grooves in the timber, in the ceiling and roof areas in walls, under the floors as well as in door and window frames and other wood they can find. Often you can detect this by tapping and hearing a hollow, empty sound. These grooves will quickly cause structural damage to the wood as the termites create a honeycomb like effect inside the timber.

· Swarm evidence

Termites swarm, often by the thousands from their nests looking for a mate and a place to form a new colony. When they land in what they consider a good place they discard their wings which are easily spotted in places around the outside of your home such as closed windows and door or on the floor under lights. They usually swarm at dusk or early evening when they have the protection of the darkness and are then attracted by any light source.

You can easily spot the discarded wings lying on the ground which is a sure sign they are now present

· Mud tubes

Mud tubes are tunnels that are about the size of a thin pencil that subterranean termites create when they want to travel on the surface. Termites are soft bodied and need to remain moist, humid and protected from predators. Usually they build them to get around objects they cannot dig through such as concrete or metal, as they search for food as an easy way to travel from their nests in the soil. A termite barrier on The Gold Coast is the best method to stop them.

· Drywood termite droppings

Dry wood termites are the second type of termites commonly found in Gold Coast homes. These termites like to nest inside of wood so they can eat the wood they find there. As thy tunnel through the woodwork of your home they need to excrete their waste, so make very small holes so they can push out their droppings. These look like small piles of coffer grounds or wood pellets and are a definite sign of an infestation.

Having a termite barrier installed in your Gold Coast property can prevent subterranean termites from infesting your home. If you see any of the signs call professional pest Controllers

Why is it required to have pest inspection when purchasing a house?

When you’re looking to buy a house, it’s often very difficult for the untrained eye to detect any pest problems. This is often made harder as anyone selling a property is likely to try and make the place as presentable as possible, so will clean up any telltale signs. 

As properties on The Gold Coast are very likely to be suffering from or have suffered from pest invasions in the past it is very important to have a pre purchase inspection in gold coast homes which you may be interested in buying.

An astute buyer will make it a condition or requirement that the property must pass a pest inspection, before the sale is finalized. This is to ensure that all parties are aware of any pest that may be present in the building and property and any conditions caused by these pests.

The difference between having a Pest Inspection and having a Building Inspection

A building inspection is about structural issues, safety threats and major defects, but does not include pests apart from when they have caused structural problems. Often, if dry rot or moisture are found during a building report they will advise an additional specialist to take a closer look at specific issues.

A pest inspection is performed by a licensed pest inspector who has been specifically trained to look for all and any type of pest that could inhabit your home or property. They are very experienced and specialise in doing pest inspections and reports for real estate transactions.

Sometimes you can have a combined building and pest inspection from companies and inspectors who are qualified and experienced to do both.

Do You Really Need a Pre-Purchase Inspection on Gold Coast

The answer is yes, you do because…..

It’s just not worth trying to save a few hundred dollars by missing out on a pre-purchase pest inspection, the consequences of having your new home infested by pests could not only be very uncomfortable, a health hazard but also very expensive to rectify. Many financial institutions require you to have both a building and a pest report before they will consider lending you money.

How to Find a Good Pest Inspector

Your real estate agent will be able to recommend a good pest inspector, usually one who lives in the area and is very familiar with the local pests and conditions. They may even know the house and can give you some history about.

Often it’s a good idea to be present during any pest inspection so you can ask questions and be advised firsthand about any problems or potential problems.

You can also consult your lawyer who will most likely have a list of trusted inspectors in the area. Another good place to look is online, there you can see the recommendations and find out exactly what their service entails.

Having any property or home that you’re thinking about purchasing needs to have a pre-purchase pest inspection, especially any home on The Gold Coast by a fully qualified, experienced pest inspector as the whole of the God Coast is home to many very evasive and potentially destructive pests who like you are looking for a nice home to live in.

How Termites can cause damage to your home

When looking for a termite treatment for your Gold Coast home, it’s important to understand just how much damage they can cause. They are not just inconvenient, they can cause structural damage which makes your home unsafe as well as destroying thousands of dollars’ worth of your property if untreated.

These are some of the ways termites cause damage to your home:

·         Structural Damage

Subterranean termites need to have moisture each day to survive so tend to stay near damp soil and build their colonies in this moisture rich soil. They usually enter your home through the wood used in your home’s foundations or subfloor areas. These areas are difficult for most people to access so often the termites are not discovered until they cause noticeable damage or you have your home inspected. Often these infestations quickly lead to other areas being destroyed as they search for food

·         Damaged Wood around Doors and Windows

A large amount of the timber in your home is hard to inspect because it’s in the ceiling, under the floor or inside the walls. The timbers around your doors and windows is often the easiest to inspect and will show signs such as being weak, having voids, starting to bulge out or have a wavy pattern to it

·         Dry Wood Termite

Subterranean termites usually start under your home or access it from tree branches touching the walls. Dry wood termites do not require the same contact with moisture as other varieties. They often start eating away your furniture and other wooden items around your home.’

These destructive pests are able to eat their way to almost any area of a building and destroy your home from the inside out before you even notice they are there. They will not leave and stop their destruction until there is no wood left. They will eat the cardboard on drywall and the backing of carpet, books, clothing and anything that contains cellulose their basic food.

The only way to stop them is to kill them completely and the best thing to do for all homes, even concrete and brick homes is to have a regular pest inspection and take termite preventative steps.

Thousands of home owners around The Gold Coast battle termites on a continuous basis to keep their home and possessions safe. The most cost effective way to safeguard your home is to have it inspected and to get a regular termite treatment on The Gold Coast

Some less noticeable signs of termites

•          Mud tunnels or tubes are made by termites so they can move on the surface and retain their body moisture
•          Windows that Stick or Jam are often caused because the timber around them is deformed through the action of termites
•          A hollow or echo sound from any timber as its been eaten out
•          Floors that shake or move when walked on
•          Walls that are deformed soft or can be shaken

To avoid termites causing damage to your home, have a regular termite treatment done on The Gold Coast as termite damage is much more serious that what you will ever see on the surface. Taking preventative steps to prevent termites will save your home and the expense of having major repairs done and protect your investment

Ultimate Termites Guide for residents of The Gold Coast

Termites love to live in places that provide for their needs, giving them shelter, moisture and food. Residents of the Gold Coast need a termite inspection on a regular basis to safeguard their property from these destructive insects. Often people will not know they have a termite infestation until they discover the damage they cause.

How to deal with termites

If you find termites around your home the best advice is to leave them without disturbing them and call a termite inspection company on The Gold Coast to deal with them properly.

The first thing that needs to be established is which type of termites you have as they are not all the same and each type needs to be treated differently.

Termite Facts

Termites destroy timber, there are a few types of hardwood timber that termites will not eat and these are the timbers that contain large amounts of natural turpentine and other chemicals they do not like. The majority of timber’s like pine and other building timbers need to be treated to prevent termites.

Termite will eat the wood and structurally damage many types of timber in the roof, walls, foundations, window and door frames as well as furniture and fittings.

Always Hungry

Termites are always looking for moisture and food, even when they seem to have an inexhaustible supply they will search further to find new areas and increase the size of their colony. Huge trees will not stop or satisfy their hunger.

One in Four Properties, Fall Victim to Termites

Even brick, concrete and steel framed home’ can fall victim to termites, they will enter through the smallest of holes in search of suitable timber such as floors, wall linings, door and windows as well as their frames, shelves, cupboards and furniture

Termite Nests

Termites will nest in trees and in the ground. The most destructive types of termite on The Gold Coast are the Copotermes and Schedorhinoternes species, these subterranean species of termites are very destructive and difficult to successful remove and control.

Termites are Very Unpredictable

Becoming an expert termite inspector take years of practical experience and practice as these insects are very unpredictable. They are masters at hiding and often the untrained eye, will miss them until too late.

Termites Travel out of Sight

When your property is left unprotected termites can travel around and through it. They will travel under concrete slabs, up the inside of steel posts, walls and piers to find access to your property.

Controlling Termites

Termite control is best left to a competent and trustworthy company, it’s a small investment to safeguard and protect your assets as a termite infestation can cause thousands of dollars of damage and substantially reduce the value of your investment.

Most termite inspections On the Gold Coast involve

•         A termite inspection
•         Termite treatments such as baiting systems and termite barriers
•          Monitoring and inspections
•      Do it your self-options are often a failure because they target only the visible areas.

Termite inspections on Gold Coast are a vital part of making sure your assets are protected from this insect that invades one in four properties causing widespread damage and millions of dollars’ in repairs each year. It’s cost effective and guaranteed if done properly.

Top Things to consider with pest control

Australia is home to a huge variety of bugs, insects and other wildlife. The Gold Coast has more than its fair share, which is fine as long as they stay in the great outdoors. Of course, they also like the shelter of your homes and other buildings so when they show up its time to call building and pest inspections on The Gold coast.

These are the top things to consider with pest control:

·         Identify the pests you have

Sometimes it is not easy to accurately identify the types of pest you have. Often they will remain hidden until they multiply and get out of control or cause significant damage.

Different pests require different method’s of control and or eradication

·         The Toxic Nature of Pesticides

Today, many people are very conscious of the need to keep toxic chemicals to the absolute minimum. Many of the commercial pest control methods use very strong chemicals, so it’s very important to be sure what is being used to treat pests in your home or place of work

When looking for someone to provide you with termite inspections on Gold Coast, it’s vital to engage a company that has a name of high repute and a good business reputation.

Ask them about the different chemicals they use and if they will use natural or alternative low toxic (to humans and pets) methods and how effective they are.

The best reputable building and pest inspection companies on The Gold Coast are very busy and it’s necessary to make a booking or appointment for their services.

When to have a building and pest inspection done on The Gold Coast

It’s normal practice to have both building and pest inspections done on The Gold Coast before you purchase a property and then every year or two after that to be sure that your property is safe from pests as they can quickly without your knowledge cause a lot of damage

When you engage a company to do your inspections and the provide pest control, ask them about any warranty and guarantee on their work. They will tell you how long the treatment is good for and when they recommend a repeat inspection. Often it depends on the type of pest and the treatment required.

Check the prices

Your real estate agent will be able to recommend several good companies to get quotes from. Often for older properties, they will have looked at them before so they will have a good idea of any potential problems there or in the general area. Find out what, if any, other treatments have been done on the property and what they now recommend for each type of pest you wish to have eradicated.

Often for things like termite’s, prevention is far better that a cure and even if they are not detected, asking for preventative steps to be taken, will safeguard your investment for the future.

It would be safe to say that all properties regardless of their construction style or materials will be targeted by pests at some stage so having a building and pest inspection on The Gold Coast by a local and reputable company is a sensible decision whether you feel you have a pest problem or not.

5 signs which show you need to have termite inspections

Having termite infestations in your home can compromise its structural stability while causing damage costing thousands of dollars to repair. This can happen without your knowledge, so it’s vital to have termite inspections on The Gold Coast done regularly by as competent, licensed pest control professional. But it’s also important to keep a lookout for the telltale signs you may have termites present between inspections.

These are the five most common signs of a termite infestation:

1.      Swarmer’s

One sign that there are swarmer’s about is their telltale piles of discarded wings. These can be seen around entrance ways, such as window sills and doorways as well as under lights that attract them at night. When the young termites leave the nest they’re equipped with wings, they discard when they locate a suitable place to start a new colony. Quite often this is the only sign you will see of them before they become established and cause damage to your property.

2.     Mud Tubes

Mud tubes are built by subterranean termites to provide them with protective tunnels to travel from their colony nest to their food source. Termites need to keep moist and these mud tubes are built when they need to travel on the exposed surface. Usually you can find these on or around foundations or in areas where they need to cross from one timber area to another.

3.     Wood Damage

Termites like to eat timber from the inside to the outside, they are not concerned with weakening or destabilizing the wood they attract, unlike some other wood boring insects. They will consume the wood until there is almost nothing left.

Termites can often be detected because the wood, when tapped sounds hollow and often when they are present the timber is weakened so it breaks easily. The wood work also tend to blister outwards as can sometimes be seen around windows, doors and architraves in areas that have a termite infestation and are left untreated. So you need to have termite inspections done on The Gold Coast Regularly.

4.     Bubbling or Uneven Paint

Termite can work and eat under painted surfaces, so are sometimes hard to detect, but one of the telltale signs is when the painted surface looks uneven or blisters appear. This is often due to a moisture buildup which is common when termites are active as they need moisture to survive, so moisten their tunnels as they move around.

5.     Frass or termite droppings

Termites are busy eating the wood inside your home, they produce droppings which resemble small hard wooden pellets about the size of small brown sugar granules. These are often the same colour as the wood they are eating and are pushed out of very small holes that are themselves very hard to see, but you will soon notice a small pile of these droppings in areas where termites are active. So if you find them you are most likely to have drywood termites in your home.

Having regular termite inspections on The Gold Coast is an important measure to take to ensure your property is termite free as these invaders can quickly cause a huge amount of damage that is very expensive to repair reducing the value of your home.

Benefits of Pre Purchase Pest Inspections in Gold Coast

When you have a pre-purchase pest inspection on The Gold Coast it means that you’re getting a report that is guaranteed to tell you the complete and exact condition of the property in regard to pests. You will know it there are any pests present now or it there is evidence of them being there in the past. You will know if they have caused any damage and any problems associated with any pests found there, including what possible expenses may be incurred to remedy any problems that the pests have caused.

Structural damage from white ants, termites or other boring insects is often very hard to determine. Often renovations are carried out in an attempt to hide the presence of pests or the damage they have done. Newly painted ceilings and walls can hide the existence of mould or water damage caused by pests entering the premises and damaging the roof or weather proofing areas.

By having a professional pre-purchase pest report done it can help you in deciding if the property is right for you and give you a bit of information to help when negotiating a price to pay for the property.

It’s generally not possible to tell whether or not a property has a pest problem by just visiting it, so having an experienced professional giving an unbiased report helps to keep negotiations on the level.

These are the benefits of having a pre-purchase pest inspection on Gold Coast:

·         Value Assessment

Part of assessing the true value of a property you would like to purchase is to know the exact position or status of it. If there are pest issues to resolve this can have a big impact of the value as pests can be expensive to eradicated and then to repair any damage.

·         Safety Guarantee

The structural integrity of the building can be compromised by pests so having a professional pest report done before you agree to purchase a property will ensure it is structurally sound and safe for your family to live there.

·         Purchasing Negotiations

Having a pre-purchase pest inspection helps you decide on the true value of the property and allows you to negotiate the price with the owner based on the facts of the report.

·         Confidence in Your Decision

Having a pre-purchase pest report gives you confidence that you’re making the right decision because you have real solid facts, as sometimes the seller will not disclose all the relevant facts about the property such as pest problems. Because of this you will not have any regrets after the sale is finalized as you will have already satisfied yourself as to the condition of the property from the pest report.

You will never regret having proper professional pre purchase pest inspections done on The Gold Coast. This important procedure should be gone through by anybody considering purchasing a property. Not only for peace of mind, but to assure themselves the property is safe to live in and that you will not have additional expense to deal with pest issues and the damage that these can cause. A pre-property pest inspection will help guarantee that you will be satisfied with your purchase and the investment your undertaking.