Termites are white ants that feed on wood. They feed on trees in the forest and wooden structures. Some of the damage they cause is quite visible to all. However at times the damage they cause is not visible. In such cases, you can only ascertain the extent of damage through invasive inspection, which involves pulling down part of the house.

A young family, who experienced a terrible loss a few years back through the death of their father and husband, suffered an additional setback in their home. They discovered that termites were destroying their home. Termites had eaten into the wooden frames and structure of their home. However, they were fortunate enough to have an extreme makeover of their home courtesy of a local television show.

The damage caused by termites has not been limited to private homes. Social buildings have also fallen victim to termites. A church in Athens, in the state of Tennessee recently suffered such a setback. Termites had eaten up the church’s floor joints, wall infrastructure and ceiling. The church members attempted to make few repairs to remedy the situation. Unfortunately, their efforts created a worse problem for them. Their wooden church building developed structural problems. The walls caved in and the city officials condemned the building.

Subsequently the insurance company cancelled their policy citing “material changes in risk.” The church now has an USD 80,000 hole in its budget to fix the church. Had they taken precautionary measures to stall the damage caused by termites, the catastrophe may never have happened.

A similar fate befell a congregation in the Philippines. A church in the city of Cebu had to rebuild a building on its former site because termites had damaged the old one. It took a period of three years to rebuild it with massive resources sought from donors to complete the job. These are just but a few testimonies to show how destructive termites can be. It is therefore in your best interests to seek to protect your home from these pests. The cost of preventing and controlling these pests is indeed a drop in the ocean compared to the resources that may be required to rebuild the entire structure.

There are three types of inspections done to determine extent of damage by termites.  The first type of inspection is the visual inspection. They may just inspect your wooden frames and doorposts. Alternatively, they may have to conduct an invasive inspection to check termite damage in places that are not readily visible. A third method has recently come up where the inspectors use thermal imaging cameras to detect termite activity. This method is in use to avoid having to pull down part of your building to facilitate inspection.

To protect your home from these pests contact a pest or cockroach control company in Sydney. They will give you a free quotation of how much it will cost to do the job. They will also inspect your house for termite activity.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

Eliminating termites once they have moved in can be costly and stressful. It is far better to prevent termites from setting up camp in the first place. The truth is that there are plenty of ways you can keep your housing termite free. Take a proactive stance when it comes to termites, and take care of a small problem before it becomes a big one!

The first thing that you need to do is to stay vigilant. Most experts recommend that you check your home for termites every year. While this might seem to be fairly often, remember that it doesn’t take all that long for termites to get in, make themselves at home and to do some damage.

The signs you are looking for will occur in places that termites love, including subterranean locations and areas that have a lot of dry wood. Look for piles of termite dirt in wooden ceilings, and make sure that you keep track of any mud tunnels that show that the little pests are digging around.

If you are building a home or adding to your existing home, take the time to choose materials that are resistant to termite invasion. Redwoods, juniper and cedar for instance are highly attractive woods with wonderful aromas. The natural oils in these woods makes them less susceptible to incursion by termites and other insects. Also strive to keep things as dry as possible. Make sure that you don’t allow water to accumulate in or around your home, and that if you have a basement area, that it is kept dry.

When looking to ensure that your home is not termite friendly, remember to consider your landscaping as well. Make sure to keep the plants in your garden back from your home as this will prevent moisture from having time to do its worst. This will also help keep mold from flourishing.

Similarly, make sure that your sprinklers don’t spray directly onto your house and that any piles of wood or debris are kept away from your walls. Any areas of wood outside your home should be sealed against the weather and pay special attention to the bottom of your walls.

If you are looking to build, buy or sell a home in Sydney, take some time and think about what you can do in order keep termites away. It may save you a lot of time, money and stress in the long run.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

Drywood and subterranean termites are the most serious threats to your home. Drywood termites live above ground, particularly in warm coastal areas. Found largely in higher elevations, subterranean termites are more prevalent and pose a more serious threat to homes in the Sydney area.

These are 5 signs that your home may have termites:

1. Hollow wood. Poke some wood close to the frame of your home with a sharp object – if the wood is being corroded from the inside, it is very likely a sign if an infestation.

2. Grime in wood. Termites are especially fond of damp wood and termite damage is often mistaken for water damage (and vice versa). Damp areas are typically the first place which termites will choose to invade. Check any damp areas regularly – for instance, near sprinklers, leaky pipes and so on.

3. Flying termites.  A large number of flying termites pouring from wood or the dirt is often the most prominent indication of an infestation. Termites commonly ‘cloud’ in early springtime. You may also detect flying termites streaming about windowsills.

4. Muck appearing between crevices.  If your home is infested with termites, you may see muck coming up from crevices between planks and boards.

5. Termite wings in bright places. Since flying termites are attracted to bright light, check around window sills and other bright locations for cast off wings. If you see a lot of them, contact a pest control company at once, as this is a sign of an infestation.

What You Should Do If You Come Across Signs of a Termite Infestation?

First of all, do not panic. As luck would have it, termites enjoy tasting what they consume and are sluggish feeders.  Experts say it takes five years for a colony to be absolutely destructive.  Contact a professional pest control company for advice pertinent to your individual circumstances.

How to Keep Termites Out

Here are 5 ways to keep termites out of your house.

1. Avoid heaping wood of any kind up against your house, such as timber, limbs, or branches.

2. Don’t let water build up near your home’s foundation – this attracts termites.

3. Do not store wood under your deck or patio.

4. Make sure that the soil around your home does not come in contact with your sidings, especially if you have wooden sidings. This is like putting out a welcome mat for termites. Wood siding should be at least a foot above ground level.

5. Do any necessary repairs and maintenance to keep water from getting into the substructure of your home – this will deter termites.

Termites are responsible for billions of dollars in damage to homes all over the world.

If you suspect that your home may be infested with termites, get in contact with a certified pest control company immediately. Early detection of termites is the best way to protect your home.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

The Archicentre Pest inspection service was started in 2005 in Melbourne, and in Sydney in 2006, which will gain a better understanding of the aspects of timber pest attacks every where in Australia.

After examining 80,000 inspection reports, it has been determined that there is a definite increase in termite attacks in Australian homes. It was also found that warmer regions are more likely to have termites than the colder regions, and would therefore need more termite protection.

In Australia, Queensland was found to have the biggest infestation. The reports and subsequent analysis showed that termite attacks had increased by 11%. South Australia, New South Wales, and ACT have the second biggest infestation by showing an increase of 9%, which is still very high. Victoria has experienced an increase of 8%, while Western Australia saw a termite increase of 5%.

When it comes to pest treatment, in the year 2006, the average costs to treat a home infected by termites stood at around $2,500. This is a huge savings over the average price of $4,500 to repair an infestation. Of course, this amount will be affected by the area in which the home is located.

Do you have termites? There are some things that you can be looking for. The first thing you want to do is check your stumps and concrete barriers, do you see any mud? You also want to look at the sub floor of your home, is there any damage? Now you want to actually check the inside and outside of your home. Look around a foot from the floor or ground, check to see if there are any termite signs.

Termites seem to be the most active if a home is surrounded by lots of trees. Homes that were built 30 year ago or older are often more likely to have termite infestation.  Many home owners however create virtual termite attractions. For instance the way a home owner landscapes their home, making untreated wood and the like a very enticing meal for some prospective and hungry termites. Things such as old logs around the lawn, or non treated wood fence posts are likely termite attractors. Putting mulch around the home all the way against the wall of the home may also cause a termite attack.

If you have firewood that you like to store in your shed to keep dry when not in use, the termites are not going to be hungry for very long. However, using treated wood or concrete slabs is not your only defense as well. Termites are smart, they can smell or spot wood in even the tiniest places, after all, they are not that big.

The best defense you have is to make sure that you are having regular checks of your home for termites and other pests. Keeping control over them is the only way to prevent and eliminate them.

One last idea, this is especially for prospective home buyers, always make sure that you bring out a pest control company to do an inspection before you buy. This could actually save you thousands in unwanted and unnecessary repairs.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

Just like you, termites need food and water to live. The favoured food source of the termite happens to be wood. Now since your home is constructed of their favourite food, it makes sense that they would choose your home as their meal. Termites are attracted to the cellulose in wood, from which they derive sugar. For water, termites rely on rain, leaky faucets and standing water outdoors.

One of five homes in the Sydney area is affected by these destructive pests. There are ways you can keep these menaces away from your home. You need to find and repair any faulty ventilation which allows for the build-up of moisture. A damp environment will draw termites that are on the lookout for a source of water, which is like putting out a welcome mat for them. Check for cracks in your foundation, these allow termites an easy way into your home.

Termites build their colonies and live their lives mostly underground. They build a labyrinth of tunnels which may go as deep as three feet underground. These tunnels often lead right into your home! When termites invade, they can undermine your home with their tunnels. To prevent termite incursions, you must be vigilant. Remember, these creatures can destroy your biggest and most important investment – your home.

One of the biggest problems with termites is that you may not even see them. They won’t knock on your door politely asking to come in. There may be no signs of their presence at all, but the damage is being done. To be safe from this danger, you need to get rid of them before they seriously damage your home. An investment in termite protection now is far better than paying for the destruction which they can cause.

Annual termite inspections protect your home and its value. When selling your property prospective buyers will expect proof of the house being termite free. If there are any indications of a previous termite infiltration, even if termites no longer exist, it can cost you losing valuable equity, just the fact that termites were once present. In high-risk areas, experts recommend timely termite inspections at least twice a year. This damage control stops termites dead in their tracks before you have to say”there goes the neighborhood.”  Termite infestation is a serious threat in Sydney. We cannot just sit back and hope the problem will disappear.

You’re going to need professional help to eradicate the threat of termites. A complete inspection can help prevent and detect termite infestation. A professional can help you be prepared for this threat which can destroy your home without warning. Develop a plan for exterminating these pests and you’ll protect yourself and your home.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

The homes facing the biggest risk from termite infestation are older homes or homes which have not been well kept. Termites are also a threat to new homes, especially in areas where trees have been cleared to make room for new construction. When you have termites in the immediate area, they will likely be more than happy to relocate to your home! Even homes with brick or concrete underpinnings or slabs are at risk.

There are considered to be two basic types of termite, those that seek burrows in the earth and those that live in dry wood. Prevention is seen as the most effective method of protecting your home, so a proactive stance is essential. To protect your property against pest invasions the following measures may help:

- Prevent standing water from gathering around your home – this can attract termites and other pests.

- Make sure to keep your rain gutters and spout cleaned out. Install splash guards to direct water away from your home.

- Keep your home dry – make sure that your attic, basement and crawlspaces are kept dry. Plastic moisture barriers are a good way to keep termites out of your home.

- Have leaky pipes and other plumbing issues taken care of straightaway.

- Keep any foundation cracks repaired to thwart the invading hordes of termites that may have plotted a course for your home.

- Always keep wood free from contact with the soil, if you have wooden underpinnings you can have these areas treated to help prevent termites from setting up residence. Wooden steps or supports should always be on some type of concrete base.

- Never have firewood or lumber lying on the ground near the home structure.

- Keep plants away from your home. This includes vines, shrubs and trees. These plants provide a great entry point for termites to infiltrate your home from.

- Keep your home as finely maintained as possible. Make sure that the paint on the exterior surfaces is kept in good condition. Keep vents screened to keep out the flying pests.

- Before buying a home have it thoroughly inspected and follow up with yearly inspections. Stopping termites before they can become established in your home is the best way to protect yourself.

If you do find that you have a termite or other pest infestation on your hands, get professional help right away. Professional pest management companies can recommend the best plan of action and help you correct the situation. Your home is your most valuable asset, so protecting it should be one of your top priorities.

The fact of the matter is that you need to have pest control in your home in Sydney no matter if you own a home or if you are paying rent. Here are 10 termite facts that you must know, especially if you think you don’t need to take any precautionary action.

1. The termite menace is on the rise in Australia and the financial damages are phenomenal. Every year Australians lose millions of dollars in termite damage.

2. The estimate for new termite damage is about 130,000 homes each year. There are about 20% of homes damaged by termites in Australia.

3. The losses reported from termites are five times more that the losses seen from a combination of flood, fire and storms.

4. Coptotermes Acinaciformis (subterranean) and Kolatermes (dry wood termites) are the most common termite species in Sydney. These termites are well known for attacking structures that are brick and steel as well as those that are timber framed.

5. Termites develop a liking for building materials that are increasingly used in the construction of homes.

6. One averaged sized termite colony can chew up a room’s floor in just 3 months – yes, termites have quite an irrepressible appetite.

7. Termites do not stop when they eat the wood leading inside. Once there they begin to eat other things such as shoes and clothing, your furniture and even the electrical wiring.

8. If you attempt to rid your home of termites then you can actually cause more damage. Termites are smart and they know how to burrow into the soil to a safer place and once the poisons you have placed are no longer harmful they will return to their food source in your home and continue with their destruction with even more brute force. So the best thing you can do is leave the exterminating to the experts.

9. Most people know that you can detect termites by tapping on wood with a screwdriver handle. However what most don’t realize is that even doing that could cause the wood to crumble and give way. This will disturb the termites and will limit the options for treatments.

10. Not just anyone is qualified to treat termites, only those that have experience and have been trained in the specialised area of termites.

If you intend on purchasing a home in Sydney or if you already have one then you need to hire a pest control agency with termite specialists who knows these destructive creatures like the back of their hands. If you don’t then you are only placing your home and health in peril.

If you’re concerned about any of these common pests and need some help exterminating them, you can contact Pink Pest Services for professional pest control in Sydney or call 02 9529 5222 for immediate assistance.

A single colony of termites can do great damage to your home or your commercial building. Without being inspected, it is nearly impossible to tell that you have a termite infestation – until your building has been seriously damaged. There are risks to your building beyond structural damage; termites can create a fire hazard by damaging the coating which protects your wires. Termites cause a lot of damage to your home and can create a threat to the lives of you and your family.

And it’s not just wood that termites are after – they will eat just about anything, even furniture and clothes! Just imagine putting your hand into your pocket and finding a termite eating away at your clothes!

The number one investment you have is your home or business. To protect this investment, you should try to keep it free of the threat of termites. One thing to look for is the telltale sign that termites are digging channels in the wood of your walls. Look for any ridges in walls which come up from the ground as well as in your foundation. These are the channels created by termites as they literally eat away at your home.

Packed earth on the foundation walls is another sign of termite infestation. A build up of earth will often be left by termites where the flooring meets the joists in your home. You should also check spider webs for termite wings. There are even some sounds and odors which may be due to termites.

You should look for prevention as the primary means of dealing with termite infestation. Termites can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home in as little as three months, making regular termite inspections of crucial importance. Especially if there has been a infestation nearby, you should have your home inspected at least once per year. If you live in Sydney, you must be especially careful – keep in mind that termites will move around and you certainly don’t want these uninvited guests showing up for dinner since your home is on the menu!

If you find any signs of an infestation, contact a specialist immediately. If you try to deal with them without professional help, they may simply go deeper into the soil and wait; breeding and waiting for the right moment to return.

If you suspect that your home may already have termites, or you just want to make sure and give yourself a little peace of mind, get a professional to help.  Pink Pest Services have fully trained and certified termite specialists that can assess your problem or let you relax knowing your valuable asset is safe.

Pink Pest Services uses state of the art equipment like fibre optics and thermal imaging to detect termite infestation. If they find termites, they will devise a plan to rid your building of the threat. If Pink Pest Services find nothing, you’ll be able to rest easier knowing your woodwork is termite free.

If you live in Sydney, you should have your home inspected at least once a year. Before buying a new home or commercial property, always bring in an expert such as Pink Pest Services – this can save you thousands of dollars; when it comes to termites, an ounce of prevention is certainly better than a pund of cure.

However, this doesn’t mean setting a trap on the floor and hoping they will all run to its location. Termites are a lot smarter then people give them credit for, which is why you should think about having a reputable exterminating company on your side. Oh, and if you’re still wondering what they do with this entire wood, wait until you read the answer we give you.

See, termites have enough microorganisms in their body to turn the wood they’re gnawing on into a nutritional diet. We definitely don’t suggest trying it, but the point is they can feast upon wood for as long as needed until it’s time to go elsewhere. Even if you’ve tried pesticides, enough servings of this from your home and they can become immune to it.

The only true way to get rid of termites permanently is by getting rid of the nest. Unfortunately, this is extremely difficult to find. The biggest problem will revolve around trying to contain the issue before their population expands. Why? Well, once you hit a certain timeline, they could destroy the inner walls of your home and bring on a costly reconstruction project.

Do you really want to take that risk? Of course not, and Pink’s Sydney Termite Control doesn’t want you to either. You may be sitting there thinking, “Eh, you’re just trying to sell me,” but the fact of the matter is this is a necessity if you don’t want long term problems. Just take a step back and think about it for a moment. Would you rather pay for a complete overhaul on your home, or trust the people who have been getting rid of termites for years?

Sure, once everything is all said and done you may need a little reorganising of your home, but every situation is unique. Even if you have a complete infestation, it’s a much easier process to call someone like us then it is making a phone call to you builder. The end result is thousands of dollars out of your pocket.

If we can educate you on everything a termite does regarding their feeding habits, where they enjoy nesting, and the appropriate steps to eliminate them, you’ll feel more comfortable using Pink’s Sydney Termite Control. After all, it’s in our name and we’ve been helping individuals just like you for a very long time.

Most termites invade old homes or those that have not had proper upkeep, but there are times when termites and other pests create problems with newer homes as well. This can occur whenever trees are cleared for the building of houses. If termites are already present in the area they find it jolly fun to move their nesting colonies from the destroyed mounds to the much nicer location that the new homes offer. Even having concrete or brick slabs or underpinnings can not guarantee safety from these invaders.

There are considered to be two basic types of termite, those that seek burrows in the earth and those that live in dry wood. Prevention is seen as the most effective method of protecting your home, so a proactive stance is essential. To protect your property against pest invasions the following measures may help:

- Keep standing water away from your home and away from the foundation as moisture is a lure for termites and other pests.

- Make sure that your rain gutters and spouts are clean and free of debris, always use splash guards to direct water away from your home

- Keep basements, attics and crawl spaces dry and assure that you have adequate ventilation. Plastic, moisture proof barriers placed on the ground in crawl space areas will help prevent termite invasions.

- Always deal with leaky pipes and plumbing problems immediately

- Keep any foundation cracks repaired to thwart the invading hordes of termites that may have plotted a course for your home.

- Always keep wood free from contact with the soil, if you have wooden underpinnings you can have these areas treated to help prevent termites from setting up residence. Wooden steps or supports should always be on some type of concrete base.

- Never have firewood or lumber lying on the ground near the home structure.

- Do not allow any plants, shrubs or vines to make constant contact with your home and avoid having trees too near your house. Trees and stumps can offer shelter to termites that have your home in their sights.

- Keep your home as finely maintained as possible. Make sure that the paint on the exterior surfaces is kept in good condition. Keep vents screened to keep out the flying pests.

- A thorough home inspection before you purchase a home and once a year thereafter can keep your residence safe and sound. Catching termites before they can get a foothold on your property is one of the best preventive measures that you can find.

If you should find yourself with pest or termite invasions of any size, seeking the advice and help of professionals will be your best course of action. These pest exterminators are trained to identify the problem and can offer you options to help remedy the situation. Your home is a valuable asset and investment so it is in your best interest not to jeopardise its structural integrity.

f you have a termite problem that you want taken care of quickly and professionally, you can contact Pink Pest Services for assistance with professional termite control in Sydney.

We are only too happy to assist.