DON’T LET TERMITES EAT AWAY YOUR PROFITS

Minister for Public Works and Housing Robert Schwarten advised home owners to arrange a termite inspection from a licensed contractor.

“Termite damage to buildings is a significant problem in Queensland, costing millions of dollars each year,” said Mr Schwarten.

“Your home is likely to be your greatest investment so be vigilant about pest management and don’t let termites eat away your profits.”

BSA General Manager Ian Jennings said that termites thrive in Queensland’s warm climate and virtually every area is susceptible to termite attack.

"Prevention is always better than costly treatment and home owners should follow simple steps to minimise the risk of termite infestation in their home," said Mr Jennings.

The steps are:

·Have your home inspected by a contractor holding a BSA Termite Management Chemical licence.

·Make sure your home is protected by preventative measures including physical barriers, chemical barriers, baiting systems or the use of termite-resistant building materials. These must be installed by a contractor holding a BSA Termite Management Chemical licence. Evidence of what type of system is currently protecting your home can be found on a sticker located in the meter box.

·Be vigilant and learn how to check for early signs of termite activity, which include veins or galleys running up the side of your home and evidence of disturbance around cracks or gaps in the dwelling. Always ensure you thoroughly check damp areas around your dwelling.

·Ensure timber pergolas, verandas and steps are not in contact with the ground.

·Be aware that nests in mature eucalypts, tree stumps and hardwood sleeper walls are potential sources of building infestations.

·Do not leave untreated timber lying around your yard or against the walls of your house.

·Do not build garden beds beside the walls of your house, and be extra careful not to have weep holes (small holes between the bricks near the ground) below soil level.

·If the floor is on stumps or brick piers, inspect the "ant" caps regularly for breaches, and make sure no flooring timbers are in contact with the ground.

·Don't buy a new home without a termite report from a BSA-licensed termite inspector.

·After the initial inspection, remember to have a professional pest inspection at least once a year. Don’t rely on an old report – the fact the house was termite-free last year doesn’t mean it still is.

·Don't rely on luck to protect your home. Even if your home is built on a concrete slab it still has a 'high' risk of termite attack.

·Don't assume your home was correctly pre-sprayed for termites when it was built. It probably wasn't.

Where a building is found to be infested, the infestation can only be chemically treated by a BSA licensed pest controller. The pest controller will attempt to locate and treat the source nest if possible, or install a chemical soil barrier or baiting system.

Minister’s office – David Shankey 32371184;

BSA – Justin Coomber 0407 130 287.