Termite Warning Issues as Gold Coast is Infected

Termites caused over $750 million in property damage last year and Gold Coast residents have been warned to protect themselves, reported GoldCoast.com.au.

Pest controller, Paul Hams, said it can be sad to see the damage termites cause to homes. Often the damage bill can run into thousands of dollars and are the result of just a few small mistakes by the home owner.

Termites are very active in warm weather, Hams explained, so now is the time to take steps to combat them.

Some colonies have up to two million termites. The queen can produce 2,000 eggs per day and live for a quarter of a century.

People make a variety of mistakes that allow termites into the home. Homeowners often don’t know they have a termite problem until it’s too late, so it’s always best to focus on prevention. Follow these tips:

• Remove wood and cardboard that is next to the house. The termites use the wood to gain access to the home through small, unnoticeable weep holes.
• Fix leaking taps and overflow from unsealed pipes, airconditioning units or hot water systems because termites are drawn to moisture.
• Remove old tree stumps.
• Regularly have pest inspections, at least once a year.