Misconceptions often happen when people don’t fully understand the subject in question, and so untruths, myths and even great big lies can become fully acceptable and believable if they aren’t corrected or nipped in the bud. Let’s try and nip a few of the more common misconceptions in the bud regarding those pesky pests – termites.
The first thing to understand is just what termites are, or what they are not, and in this case, they are not “white ants”. Termites and ants belong to different orders of insects – black ants belong to the order Hymenoptera, along with bees and wasps, while termites belong to the order Blattodea, along with cockroaches. Their anatomy, behaviours and habits are very different from ants. Ants and termites do different jobs in nature and can happily coexist without one affecting the other, so having black ants around will not protect your home from termites, or vice versa.
Termite colonies are huge and can contain over a million hungry mouths to feed, so they are constantly on the search for new food sources. If you’ve got logs, tree stumps or stakes in your garden, don’t assume the termites will find these food sources and stay put. This will only encourage them to continue searching for food, and they will likely end up attacking your property.
Don’t Assume Home Insurance Covers Termite Damage Repair
Many homeowners assume their home insurance will cover the costs of repairs caused by termite damage, but in reality, the insurance companies consider the damage termites cause to properties to be preventable, and therefore not covered by their policy. Termite damage can be extensive, costing thousands of dollars in repair work, so it’s essential to call in a professional pest controller at the first sign of infestation. Reputable pest controllers will offer a warranty on their termite work, which will be the closest thing to termite insurance you can find.
Termites Only Eat Wood
Most termites in Australia are grass or soil feeders, and only a handful out of more than 350 species found here actually eat wood. However, some species will eat almost anything with cellulose in it, and that includes wood, paper, cotton, clothing and anything derived from plants. If you get these in your house, they can cause significant damage. Even steel-framed houses aren’t safe – termites will find entry points through gaps and cracks and still be able to munch on all the timber they find inside, like skirtings, architraves, door frames and furniture.
Don’t DIY It – Get The Pros In!
You will not be able to eradicate termites with a simple spray or solution bought at the local store. Even if you kill off thousands of these insects, the majority of their colony is underground, and they will simply find another spot to attack from – their strength is in their numbers.
A qualified pest controller understands the importance of termite behaviour, advanced treatment methods and ongoing monitoring in order to eradicate these powerful pests once and for all!
