How to treat timber for termites

Timber Preservation Through Termite Control

Termites are a prevalent problem in Australia. They are a destructive, unwelcome guest that can cause damage to your home. They might eat away at the wood in your home until nothing is left of your house or business. You also don't want them to do damage to your foundation.

If you dwell in an area where termites are common, it is essential to know how to treat timber for termites. There are copious different ways to treat your home for termites that don't involve chemicals or pesticides. Some of these methods may work more effectively than others, depending on the type of termite infestation you're dealing with, but they're all worth checking out.

So, how do you eliminate termites? You can try some methods on your own, but if you're unsure whether or not these methods will work or if they're safe for your home, then you should call a professional termite inspector to help you.

Methods Of Treating Timber For Termites

Fumigation

Timber can be treated for termites in several different ways. The most traditional way to treat timber for termites is by fumigation. Fumigating involves placing treated timber in a sealed container and exposing it to the deadly fumes of insecticides for a specified period.

This is the cheapest method used by pest control companies and is the most common method. However, it can be very inconvenient and time-consuming if you have large amounts of timber that needs treating. This method works well in smaller areas but may not be effective on more significant properties with multiple buildings or lots.

Preventative measures

Another option available to homeowners is to use preventative measures, such as regular timber pest inspections and sealant treatment, which will help prevent damage before termites attack your property's structure.

When choosing which treatment method is best for you, consider how much work you want to put into treating wood for termites and what type of structure you want to protect from infestation. It could be an old tree house or shed that hasn't been treated in a decade or more because it was never under attack by wood-destroying insects before now.

Lookout for termites

Monitoring for termites is one of the most important tasks you can perform as a homeowner. The sooner you catch them, the simpler it will be to treat them and prevent future damage. If you have a home inspection scheduled with a professional pest control company, make sure they check your home for termites as part of the inspection process.

If they do not do this step, ask them to add it to their service agreement so you can be protected. Termites come in all shapes and sizes, so it's essential to look for signs of their presence before having any repairs or construction done on your property.

Inspect timber for termite tunnels

Inspect your timber for termite tunnels. The tunnels are typically found in the heartwood of the timber and can be challenging to see without a magnifying glass or microscope. If you're unsure there are no tunnels, leave the timber untreated for two weeks and recheck it.

Termites also like to eat through wood, so you may find holes in your wood that termites have eaten. To check for termite tunnels in your timber, look for signs of gnawing or chewing on your wood.

They generally leave distinct scars on your timber, but this isn't always the case if they feed on it regularly. If you find a gnawed area on your timber, look closely at the surrounding area for signs of other chewing damage.

Use a water-resistant sealant

Use a water-resistant sealant on all exposed surfaces of your timber. Sealants such as Permanone protect your timber from water damage and mould growth but may also prevent termites from entering your home.

Fill all holes with plastic plugs or other material designed to prevent water from entering your home through them. If you don't have access to plastic plugs, fill any holes with mortar and cover the surface with caulk or silicone sealant (if available).

Use termite-resistant timber

Termite-resistant timbers are often used in situations where termites are a problem, such as with sleepers or posts. They are also utilised when you want to protect the timber from termites, such as retaining walls and carports.

Other Ways Of Handling An Infestation

Eliminate their food source

If you have an issue with termites, the first thing you should do is eliminate the nest. If you find termite infestation in your home, the best way to treat the problem is by eliminating all the food sources for them. You can accomplish this by removing any potential food sources and keeping them away from the home.

This includes fruits and vegetables that pests like termites may infest. If you have wooden furniture such as doors or cabinets, remove them until you can get them treated for termites. You need to keep these items away from your house until they are treated and dried thoroughly so they don't attract more insects.

To prevent further damage, make sure that all doors and windows in your home are closed tightly at night time to avoid any entry from insects inside your house during the night hours when temperatures are cooler. You can treat the timber with borax or caustic soda.

Borax is more effective and less expensive than caustic soda. Borax works by killing the termites that feed on the wood and making it hard enough for them to be unable to tunnel into. Caustic soda works similarly but can be dangerous if you don't wear gloves or wash your skin well afterwards.

Soil treatment around the home

You probably don't think about soil treatments when treating timber for termites. If you want to kill off any termites in your home, you need to find a solution that can help with this. This is where soil treatments come in handy.

Several methods can be implemented, such as soil treatments around your home as a way to kill off any termites that may be lurking around without having to call a professional exterminator. One of the best techniques for doing this is using soil treatments around the foundation or ground level of your home.

These types of treatments need to be done before any signs of an infestation present so that they can work effectively when there aren't any other pests in the area already trying to attack it.

Ensure the timber is stored correctly

The first step in treating termite timber is ensuring it's stored correctly. You can achieve this by ensuring your timber is stored in a dry place and away from damp areas. Store your timber in a well-ventilated area with good airflow, preventing it from becoming too damp or wet to ensure timber preservation.

Ensure adequate ventilation if you have a problem with dampness in your home. It may also be worth considering installing a dehumidifier to prevent moisture from getting into the timber and causing it to rot prematurely. You should also avoid storing large quantities of timber together, as this can encourage the growth of termite colonies within the wood.

Add a termite barrier to your house

If you want to effectively keep termites out of your home, it's essential to know the process of timber treatments for termites. Termites are a prevalent problem in homes and businesses, so if you see any signs of them in your home, you need to take action right away.

One way is by adding a barrier that will stop termites from getting inside your house in the first place. There are several types of barriers available:

Termite bondage

This type of barrier is made from plastic or metal strips placed around your home's perimeter. The strips have holes in them that allow water vapour to escape but not insects or moisture. They're typically used on foundations and walls with a risk of water damage from heavy rainfall or flooding.

Termite repellents

These barriers use chemicals that make it difficult for termites to migrate through the wood into buildings. They're typically used in areas with an elevated risk of termite infestation because they can be used as replacement treatment for existing structures.

Australian Standards For Termite Damage

Industry professionals use the Australian Standards (AS) and Hazard Classes (HCL) to classify timber products according to their susceptibility to termites. These standards are part of Australia's National Construction Code (NCC).

The NCC sets out minimum requirements for construction materials and practices. It also provides guidelines for safe and healthy working conditions for people at work in buildings constructed with these materials and methods.

Hire Pest Exterminators

Timber treatment for termites involves determining if the insect is present. This step isn't necessary if you do not see evidence of termites in your timber. Take precautions before treatment (like sealing cracks and crevices). Apply an effective insecticide formulation (like Termidor SC or Diazinon) to kill the termites and prevent them from returning.

Permanently preventing termites from getting into your home and eating your timber is a great start! You can use your homeowner's insurance to pay for inspection and treatment if you do not want to use chemical treatment. Hire an exterminator to inspect the area and eliminate the termites.

Call termite inspection professionals if you suspect a wood pest is causing timber damage. Termites are prevalent pests that can cause problems for homeowners, and they can be hard to get rid of.