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What is the best protection against termites?

What is the best protection against termites?

by | Nov 6, 2024 | Termites

Don’t be fooled by their tiny size: a colony of termites is able to consume 6.8kg of wood in one week! Responsible for over 80% of all structural damage to homes in Australia, learn more about how you can protect your home from termites in this Hivemind blog.

What questions will this article answer?

Why is termite control important?

With termites affecting 1 in 3 homes in Australia, the risk of a termite attack to your home is high. This is because their appetite for cellulose-based materials means that the wood in your home becomes an appealing food source.

 

Living mainly underground, subterranean termites are hard to spot and once inside your home, they can silently cause significant damage that is not visible until it is simply too late. In fact, termites are thought to cost Australian homeowners a whopping $1.5 billion every year.

 

Since this damage is considered highly preventable, the cost of repairs is unfortunately not covered by home and contents insurance. However, it’s reassuring to know that Allstate Pest Control can help keep you and your family safe from a termite attack.

Termite inspections

According to CSIRO and government recommendations, yearly termite inspections are the best way to detect the early signs of a termite attack. If you live in a high-risk area, more frequent inspections may be ideal.

This is because licensed termite inspectors are specifically trained to understand termite behaviour and use modern technology to assist with uncovering even the most subtle signs of termite activity.

At Allstate, we use the following specialised termite detecting equipment to complete inspections according to strict Australian standards:

  • Moisture meters can detect areas of higher humidity which indicate the presence of termite activity
  • Sounding tools are tapped against wooden structures to check for hollowed out sounds resulting from termite damage
  • Motion detectors use advanced thermal imaging technology to detect termite movement inside structures
  • Borescopes are a type of optical device which assist with a visual inspection of a high risk area which is otherwise difficult to access

At Allstate, a comprehensive termite assessment will include using the appropriate termite detection equipment to thoroughly examine all interior and exterior parts of your property, from subfloors to ceilings, as well as your yard and fencing.

Don’t delay your termite inspection, speak to our expert team

or

8371 1277

Pre-purchase timber pest inspections

If you’re buying a new home, chances are that you’ll have a building inspection before committing to buy. However, this inspection does not usually incorporate timber pests.

You will need a professional pest assessment which will cover not just termites, but also seasoned timber borers and wood decay fungi.

At Allstate, we conduct non-invasive, visual pre-purchase timber pest inspections in accordance with Australian Standard 4349.3. Focusing on areas which may have a high probability of having timber pests, we inspect the building before preparing a report on the same day with our findings. This includes a risk assessment of your building for timber pests, evidence of timber pest activity, severity of damage caused, as well as recommendations for management and further investigations.

Termite treatment

If termites have been detected at your business or home, our pest technicians will determine the source of the outbreak and perform a thorough inspection of all affected areas before coming up with a management plan.

At Allstate, we keep up to date with our knowledge of termite control techniques and technology, using only the most effective products that are nontoxic towards people, pets and the environment. These include:

Premise termiticide

Offering immediate protection from termites, it’s no surprise that Premise termiticide is a popular termite treatment solution in Australia. Applied directly to soil around the perimeter of your building, it is ingested by foraging termites as a modern non-repellent treatment. Premise has been shown to be highly effective in reducing the termite population through termite-to-termite transfer.

Sentricon Always Active

An effective termite protection barrier, Sentricon Always Active bait stations can be installed discreetly underground, with the cap lying flush with your pavers. It contains the active ingredient noviflumuron, which inhibits the termite life cycle by preventing the moulting process.

Sentricon stations are usually placed 30cm away from your home, no more than 3 metres apart. They will be checked at every termite inspection to make sure that they are working properly and to assess for termite activity.

For effective termite treatment solutions, speak to an expert today

or

8371 1277

Termite protection for new homes

Due to the high risk of termite attacks, the National Construction Code guidelines mandate new homes be built using termite-resistant materials and include a termite management system.

These strict requirements are in place because termites are still able to penetrate treated timber and steel roofing, and damage can affect every part of your home.

At Allstate, our pre-construction pest control team includes licensed builders with extensive knowledge and experience in termite management. We incorporate the following range of high-quality termite resistant products, covered by extensive warranties, at the appropriate stage of your build:

Kordon Termite Barrier

As certified Kordon installers, we recommend this moisture resistant barrier to protect your concrete slab.

Manufactured in Adelaide, Kordon has undergone extensive testing by the CSIRO for over two decades and has a 100% success rate in providing the best long-term chemical and physical defence against subterranean termites, when installed correctly.

Non-hazardous, hypoallergic and suitable for all building applications, Kordon is a polyester webbing embedded with deltamethrin termiticide. It is made into a highly flexible sheet which is placed between the bedding sand and steel mesh layers before the concrete slab is poured on top.

Concrete curing

To make sure that your concrete slab stays smooth and crack free and remain impenetrable to termites, we recommend Rendacure as our preferred concrete curing compound.

With excellent adhesion properties, Rendacure is fast drying, wax free and water-based, making it easy to spray or roll onto freshly poured concrete.

We also offer Deep Cure as an alternative fast and cost-effective method to internally cure concrete. Penetrating the inside of the slab, it stops excess moisture from entering by forming a water retaining gel.

Slab edge moisture protection

Protecting your concrete slab from moisture makes it far less likely to attract subterranean termites to your home. If your home is affected by dampness, this shows up as efflorescence, or coloured crystalline deposits of salt and minerals on surfaces around your home.

We suggest using the following waterproofing products during the construction of your new home to prevent efflorescence:

  • Homeguard Protectacote is a bifenthrin-based, acrylic polymer latex compound that can be applied by spraying, rolling or brushing the exposed perimeter of new concrete slabs
  • Ardex WPM 300 is a high performance, water-based epoxy membrane and coating which can be applied to damp concrete to form a hydrostatic pressure resistant membrane and prevent rising damp
  • Xyprex concentrate sealant is applied as a concrete slurry and penetrates the tiny pores within concrete slabs to form a tough, watertight crystalline structure

Chemical reticulation systems

Building regulations make it compulsory for extensions on an existing property to include a termite barrier between your home and the new concrete slab. If baiting stations cannot be installed, this means that you may need a Termidor reticulation system. This consists of a network of underground pipes that discharge termiticide into the soil to repel termites, and requires topping up at regular intervals.

Choose Allstate for long lasting termite control

At Allstate, we’ve seen the devastating damage that termites can inflict on homes and businesses, causing stress and hefty repair bills.

Locally operated since 1986, we’ve provided premium pest control services to all suburbs of Adelaide. Available 24/7 for expert advice, our highly trained pest technicians are fully equipped to offer innovative solutions to termite concerns in residential, commercial and industrial settings.

With payment plans available, Allstate can keep you and your family safe with effective termite prevention strategies today.

Our expert team is ready to help you now

or

8371 1277

How to prevent a blowfly infestation

How to prevent a blowfly infestation

by | Nov 6, 2024 | Fly

Although they have an important role in decomposing organic waste, the last thing you need this summer is a blowfly outbreak in your home or business. With blowfly season fast approaching, we’ve prepared this guide to help you keep pesky blowflies away for good.

What is a blowfly?

A type of flying insect, blowflies have distinctive large eyes, a set of wings, and grow between 8-10 mm long. They are easily distinguished by their shiny, metallic appearance, and range in colour from green, black, blue or copper. You may even recognise their loud, unique buzzing.

Blowflies play an important role in breaking down organic matter. With an appetite for decaying, rotten protein, they thrive in areas such as meat-processing facilities, slaughterhouses, garbage dumps and recycling plants. In fact, they can detect odours from up to 19km away.

Blowflies prefer to live in warmer climates with higher humidity, and lay their eggs in decomposing organic waste, such as rubbish, compost piles, plant matter and manure.

How can I tell the difference between a house fly and blowfly?

House flies are usually black in colour and smaller in size at 6-7mm long, than blowflies, which have a brighter metallic appearance and grow up to 8-10mm in length.

Blowflies also tend to prefer decaying organic food sources and flies will eat both fresh and rotten food.

Reasons to avoid a blowfly infestation

While most people aren’t necessarily too bothered by a few blowflies here and there, having a whole swarm of them around your home or business can be problematic.

During summer, it may only take 7 days for an adult blowfly to develop from an egg, so outbreaks can happen fast!

Not only will the constant buzzing sound from their rapidly flapping wings be noisy and distraction, they can cause disruptions to your daily activities.

With an appetite for decaying organic matter, especially rubbish and dead animals, blowflies are experts are spreading diseases as they fly around foraging for food in unsanitary places.

They contaminate food as well as clean surfaces and areas around your home, spreading germs, parasites and diseases such as salmonella, gastroenteritis and dysentery. Not to mention, you’re left with more housework to tidy up after them.

The presence of blowflies has worse consequences for commercial and industrial businesses, who are subject to strict health and safety standards. Any breach can cause damage to reputation, result in hefty fines and halt trading.

Keep blowflies at bay this summer. Speak to our expert team.

or
8371 1277

Signs you have a blowfly problem

The most obvious clue that you have a blowfly outbreak on your hands is that you notice more of them than usual, particularly around summer.

You may see blowflies swarming around a particular area, usually a food source or a breeding site, and it will be hard to miss their unmistakeable buzzing.

You may also spot their breeding site, which will emit an unpleasant rotting smell and contain many larvae or maggots, located within decaying rubbish or dead animals. Larvae resemble grains of rice, and grow between 9-22mm long.

How to prevent a blowfly outbreak

Although it can be hard to avoid pesky flies during outdoor dining situations, it’s important to discourage them from hanging around your property as much as possible and prevent them from settling into breeding sites. Here’s how:

Keep waste secured

Ensure that all rubbish, especially decaying food scraps, is stored in tightly sealed bags and bins with well-fitting lids. Regularly dispose of rubbish to avoid overflowing bins.

Entry point exclusion

Identify and remove all entry points for blowflies to enter your home. You can install fly screens over windows and doors.

Remove food sources

Blowflies are attracted to rotten food smells, which can be carried by air currents far away from your property. Avoid leaving pet bowls outside if possible.

Remove water sources

Fix leaking taps, drains and pipes.

Keep your home clean

Remove food spills, debris and grease as quickly as possible and make sure that food preparation and dining areas are clean. This includes wiping down benches, tables, sinks and stoves, washing dishes and cutlery, as well as sweeping, vacuuming and mopping floors. Pay attention to maintaining waste storage areas and your pet’s favourite spaces. Remove dead wildlife such as birds and rodents, which are prime blowfly breeding sites.

Get on top of a blowfly outbreak quickly. Speak to an expert today.

or
8371 1277

Professional blowfly management

Before applying any treatment, our pest control technicians will perform a comprehensive blowfly assessment to determine the source of the outbreak, locate all breeding sites, and provide specific advice on hygiene practices and waste management if needed.

We then use the following methods to control the infestation, and review their effectiveness at appropriate intervals:

  • Insecticide aerosol sprays
  • Fogging
  • Dusting
  • Baiting and trapping with specialised traps that physically attract and catch blowflies
  • Installing fly control units at commercial and industrial facilities with food handling

Routine pest management for food-handling businesses

At Allstate, our technicians are highly trained to be familiar with food standard HACCP. This means that we understand how important it is to stay compliant with government regulations to keep your business open. With the constant threat of pests such as blowflies having a negative impact on day-to-day operations, we make monitoring pests simple.

Our routine pest management program doesn’t just include pest control services delivered at regular intervals according to your business’ risk level. You’re given access to an innovative 24/7 personalised online reporting portal, which contains all relevant compliance documents, service reports and allows fast and direct communication to a dedicated pest control technician that is familiar with your business.

Reach out to Allstate today to learn more about how we can help protect your business from pests all year long.

For reliable and fast blowfly treatment, choose Allstate

With summer parties and outdoor activities on the agenda, the last thing you need is a swarm of blowflies to ruin your plans.

Since 1986, Allstate has provided premium pest control services to homes and businesses in all suburbs of Adelaide. We’re available 24/7 for all urgent enquiries, and provide fast advice on how to combat blowflies effectively. Using innovative treatments that are non-toxic to pets, children and the environment, we can manage pest infestations of all sizes in commercial, industrial and residential settings.

With payment plans available, you can avoid the stress and disruption of a blowfly outbreak this party season by reaching out to Allstate as soon as possible.

Our expert team is ready to help you now.

or
8371 1277