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Extensive termite workings, the termites made themselves right at home, then invited all their friends and family over for an all you can eat buffet....
Termites make themselves right at home in yours. This infestation was an extensive one, with large amounts of damage done to structural timbers on this house. Interestingly (or maybe not so much) the extent of the damage was only fully realised after the plaster board was removed and the frames visually inspected.
Building using recycled materials certainly makes ecological sense, however, they need to be understood so as to be used most effectively. Used railway sleepers are often used in new building work, but they are usually not treated and can also be a problem when attached to a building. It's best to avoid using any recycled susceptible timber if it comes into contact with the ground.
A retaining wall/landscaping timber attached to a building, causing a potential breaching point for termites.
These timbers will negatively impact both a physical and chemical barrier.
Termite Mud tubs in a subfloor space.
Regular termite inspections are an important part of any home maintenance program, as can be seen by this photo. The homeowner was getting a regular inspection when these mud tubes were noticed with termites building them up. This indicated that termites were living in the subfloor and it would only be a matter of time before they would find their way into the timber of the house.
It's a common theory - if you see black ants around your house, the it's safe from termites! Well, this video will answer that question with a demonstration of the interactions between Black garden ants and Termites
Ants Vs. Termites
Treated pine framing used in a subfloor being eaten by termites.
Manufacturers of treated timbers my warrant it against termite attack, however, if you carefully read their terms and conditions, you'll notice that they won't warrant timber that's in ground contact.
http://www.chhwoodproducts.com.au/index.cfm/pageid/157/viewpage/brochures
If you look at the warranty brochure for this treated pine frame, you'll notice that things such as storing the timber on the ground, in high moisture environments or anywhere that can cause fungal decay will void the warranty. So be careful not to rely just on treated timber to prevent termite damage.
By and large, termite treated timbers do work well in resisting termites, but only if they are used in accord with good building practice and the treated timbers manufacturers recommendations.
Termite management systems, by and large are effective. However, problems often occur after reticulation systems are installed. Often there are delays in building and hence exposes the reticulation system to damage to other trades being on site. This isn't necessarily always the fault of tradesmen on site, as they are usually not expecting a reticulation system being buried around the perimeter of the building. It's important to have good communication with the builder and tradesmen on site and also to keep a watchful eye on reticulation to ensure its safe after installation. That being said, reticulation is a great termite control method if it's done correctly!
This reticulation system was treated quite unkindly by builders/tradesmen!
This reticulation system has not been considered by tradesmen on site.
It's often accepted that termites only eat complete timber in service, and are not interested in consuming particleboard, MDF or other engineered materials. However, this picture clearly shows that termites will consume chipboard and cause significant damage. In this particular instance, the termites ate out the kitchen carcass and it required replacement. So even if the building is constructed of termite resistant materials, it's important to protect the whole building and not just have some elements that are termite resistant.
Termites detecting a repellent chemical treated zone (in blue) and avoiding it to forage for food. Photo reproduced with permission of BASF Australia.
Termites entering a non-repellent Termidor (Fipronil) treated zone, and subsequently have been killed off by the termiticide. Photo reproduced with permission of BASF Australia.
Many new chemicals in pest control are touted as "non-repellent". What does this mean?
A non-repellant chemical has many advantages, specifically when dealing with termites.
Termites forage for food and may come into contact with a chemical barrier around a house in doing so, if the barrier is repellant, that is to say, the termites can detect it and avoid it, then there is a potential for them to locate somewhere around the perimeter of the building where they can enter. Hence, a barrier that is repellent can fail if the chemical has not been applied evenly around the perimeter through all potential entry points.
A non-repellent chemical treated zone does not repel the termites, but instead, allows them to enter the treated soil to such an extent that the termites are affected and after a period of time, they die off. The benefits of this treatment are apparent in the photos above. Not only does it prevent the termites finding the non-treated section of the barrier, but it also can kill many termites due to the delayed action of the chemical. In some instances, the transfer of chemical from one termite to another can be so prolific that the whole colony can be eliminated!
Obvious mudding and damage in a wall - Note the depressed section around the mud where the termites have eaten out the plasterboard.
If you see mudding around an architrave or wall, then you probably have termites! It may not be as obvious as this, so that's why it's good to get regular inspections. Usually, when the termites are this obvious, there is a fair bit of damage done underneath.
Termites may cause mudding on the wall like this in preparation for a colonising flight. The termite colony releases many winged reproductives called alates. These are usually dispatched from a higher location on a mild evening during the spring and summer months, typically when there is high ambient humidity. So if you see many of these swarming inside your house, you know that the colony has already found it's way in!