Extensive termite damage to stairs and balustrades

Pest invasion is becoming a serious problem in Australia and while a lot of pests are annoying but ultimately harmless to your home, there are some pests which cause damage, whether that be to your home, your possessions or even yourself.

At OneHome, our Pest Inspections identify the most destructive pest; termites (white ants), borers and wood decay fungi (rot). But what are they and how can you eliminate the problem in your home?

Termites

1 in 4 Australian homes will have termites in their lifetime! They eat wood, and most homes (especially Queensland homes) have a lot of wood in them. They cause a lot of damage, and the damage sometimes isn’t covered by home insurance.

Termites are Australia’s most destructive pests causing extensive damage to the structure of a building which can go undetected for years if not monitored through routine inspections.

How to prevent them: Unfortunately there aren’t reliable natural ways to prevent termites. The only reliable way to prevent termites is to have a termite management system put in place which protects the home.

Borer

There are several types of timber borers in Australia, some serious and some not, so it is important to identify them if you think you have a problem.

The larvae of borer beetles, known as woodworm in many parts of the world, eat labyrinths through the interior of wood for 2-4 years, before moving to the surface, pupating and emerging as the adult beetle. Over time affected wood will weaken and exit holes allow water penetration. The extra moisture in the wood will encourage more attacks by borer and may promote wood rot.

There are multiple signs that can tell if wood borers have infested timber or wooden products. Scroll down or click on the links below to see the details:

Fresh exit holes in timber
Bore dust or frass
Tunnels in wood
Weak and damaged floor boards
Crumbling wood
Live beetles
Dead beetles
Wood borer eggs
Wood borer larvae
Sound

Fungal Decay

Wood Decay Fungi is often not considered a serious pest of timber, but it can become such a severe problem that structural integrity is affected.

The type of fungi encountered by Building and Pest Inspectors usually reside in poorly ventilated sub-floors, below wet areas of the home, exterior timbers and in areas that retain water in the soil. The durability and type of timbers are factors along with the temperature and environment.

If you are concerned about any of the above Pests in your home, please call us and book an Inspection on 07 3369 5231.