FAQ

Termites are very common and are increasing in most states of Australia (especially areas with a warm, humid climate). According to the CSIRO one in three homes will get termites and to keep your home safe from termites you should have a professional termite inspection every 6-12 months.

Termites are veracious eaters and travel up to 100 metres from their colony to find food. They eat 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can live for 15 years. Each year termites infest more than 150,000 Australian homes and buildings and cause more than $780 million in damage. A large termite colony can demolish an entire home in less than 2 years.

The only thing ‘average’ about The Termite Man is our prices. While we may not be the cheapest, we most certainly offer the best value for money. That doesn’t mean we’re expensive.

We offer truly independent advice on all termite treatments. And we use and recommend both chemical barriers and baiting systems for different circumstances. We have noticed a trend towards baiting systems in the last few years. But we believe that has more to do with the profits a termite controller can make than any significant benefit for the home owner. Not only is the installation cost of a baiting system higher, baiting systems require regular monitoring (usually at a fixed monthly fee). This provides the termite company with regular income year after year. While a baiting systems may be recommended in some circumstances, most times we find a chemical barrier to be more effective (works faster) and better value for money.

Great question. Although regulations have become more formal recently (thankfully), some operators shirk the law and operate without the proper qualifications. The Termite Man is fully licensed (Lic. #1162150), BSA qualified and a member of the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association and Housing Industry Association. We also have $1,000,000.00 in public liability cover.

The only sure way to know your home is safe is to follow the CSIRO’s recommendation and have a professional termite inspection every 6-12 months. In the meantime, if you notice rotting timber around doorways or the base of your walls, see spotting (small dots) on your walls or mud trails in or around your house, or suddenly notice a swarm of winged ants… you may have termites. Take action immediately. Termites can demolish an entire house in less than 2 years.

Don’t spray them, destroy their mud trails, bang on the walls or disturb them in any way. This could cause them to retreat into their tunnels making them harder to treat. Call us on 3201 2900 or click here and book a comprehensive termite inspection. Alternatively, send us a photo of the affected area and we can give you free initial advice over the phone.

According to the CSIRO you are very likely to get termites at some stage. In fact, one in three Australian homes gets termites. Termites travel up to 100 metres from their nest to find a source of food. Look around you – if there is another house within 100 metres of your home, you could be vulnerable. The only way to be sure your home is protected is to have a comprehensive termite inspection and preventative treatment.

The short answer: Don’t take any risks – get advice from a professional. In the meantime, ants have a narrow or pinched waist and termites have a more evenly shaped body. Depending on the type of termite (and the stage of life) they may also have wings. If you spot a line of ‘winged ants’ it could be a group of termites looking to form a new colony.

Termites can only live in a dark, moist environment of constant temperature. That’s why they build mud trails when they travel above the ground.

A garden bed with lots of mulch is a perfect place for termites to build tunnels. But even if you don’t have garden beds against your house termites can easily travel deep underground. The only sure protection is a preventative treatment like a chemical barrier or baiting system.