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Latest News AccuRATE V1.1.3.0 The latest version of 2nd Gen BTP Assessment tools has been released. DoP agree to a new Pilot to commence early February 2007. BASIX (DIY) Review ABSA instrumental in securing DoP DIY Sustainability Tool - DoP Review...not independent but a starting point Visit the ABSA Site for further details. DIY found to lower the standard of Residential Building BTP in NSW - varies between 200% to 400% below Simulation Method when compared with NatHERS and far more variation expected to AccuRATE.
| TERMITESTermites are an indigenous species of insect to the Australian continent that have a subterranean lifestyle occasionally forming winged flying forms. The usual picture of a termite nest is a large mud mound standing three metres high and one metre in diameter in central Australia. However termites form nests in all sorts of locations and have nests of various forms. Nests can be within the trunk of a tree, under concrete paths and are not always visible. There may be more than one nest on a property. The diet of termites in the natural environment is the various hardwood and softwood species growing throughout Australia. Logged timbers are now largely used by the construction industry and they take the form of integral structural members in brick veneer construction. Termites
are small and can be mistaken for ants.
The early detection and suitable treatment of termites with respect to domestic and commercial dwellings is the only means of assuring the longevity of timber elements used within these structures. This detection and treatment depends largely on a full and complete understanding of the life cycle and habits of subterranean termites. It is usual for
termites to have an underground nest from which they move out into surrounding
areas to detect sources of food and return to supply the needs of other casts of
termites dwelling within the nest. Termites are extremely sensitive to
temperature, humidity and light and hence cannot move over ground like most
insects but must travel in mud encrusted tunnels to the source of food.
Detection of a termite is usually a matter of locating these mud tunnels rising from the
ground into the affected structure. Termite shielding is one means of assistance used in the detection of the movement of the termites into man made structures. A termite may build a mud tunnel up a sub-floor wall or brick pier and upon reaching the termite shield will build the tunnel around the edge of the termite shield to reach the timber above. The presence of a termite track or 'lead' as they are known does not necessarily mean that termites have entered the timber. Some tracks or leads are purely exploratory seeking out to discover what is present in the environment before moving in larger numbers to exploit any source of food that may been found. Termites may enter a property by various means usually tracking up walls and piers. A clear view of walls and piers and easy access to the sub-floor means that detection should be fairly easy. However some styles of construction do not lend themselves to ready detection of termites. Where a concrete slab has been built against brick piers close to the ground, termites may move in a manner that is not readily detectable between the brick pier and the concrete slab into structural timbers of a residence. In addition formwork still in place beneath concrete floors and timber props in direct contact with the ground can also provide a path for termites to enter residences in a manner that makes their detection by a pest inspector difficult if not at times impossible. Concrete slabs do not always act as a barrier to termites as they have been known to penetrate through a crack or joint in a slab to gain access to the timbers in a home. In the case of a suspended concrete slab termites have been known to build their mud leads "out of the ground" to the underside of the concrete slab, track along this soffit and enter the building through an expansion or control joint in the concrete slab. The termites then attacks timber joinery and wall framing within the building. Once in contact with the timber they "excavate" it often only leaving a thin veneer on the outside. The tapping and feeling of walls and internal timbers is an adjunct or additional means of detection of termites but is not as reliable as locating tracks. Tracking may be present in the ceiling space however some roofs of a low pitch and with the presence of insulation, air conditioning ductwork and hot water services may prevent a full inspection of the timbers in these areas. Therefore since foolproof and absolute certain detection is not possible treatment and or pre-treatment of termites becomes a necessary step in preserving the longevity of timbers from termite attack. The use of a moisture meter is a useful aid for determining the presence of termites concealed behind thin wall panels, but it only detects high levels of activity. Older damage that has dried out will not be recorded. It may also provide false readings. A barrier treatment or poisoning of the soil adjacent to structures which may allow termites to move into susceptible timbers is one means of preventing or assisting to prevent termite attack. Termites moving up through the soil eat their way through the soil and are poisoned on reaching the insecticides within the soil. In the case of the older style organophosphates and organochlorides these chemicals repelled termites but did not lead to the destruction of the nest as the termites detected (or became immune to) the presence of the poison. This is not the case with an Arsenic Dust Treatment as this fine dust when "puffed" into the leads that the termites have constructed attaches to the body of the termite. This ‘dusting’ exploits the termites’ habit of grooming each other so that they ingest the Arsenic Dust. Since termites are also "necrophagous" (they eat termites that have died) when dusting has been carried out the poison is carried back to the nest and hopefully if enough of the poison is ingested within the nest the whole nest including the queen maybe killed. Arsenic is a metal poison and damages the cells lining the termites intestinal tract, so that the termite dies. The queen lays all the eggs for the nest. Barrier treatment to sub-floor walls consists of soaking the soil adjacent to the walls with termiticide. In the case of a slab, a treatment to the cavity and to the under slab area by spraying before the slab is laid, or by drilling and injecting chemicals after the slab is in place are some means of placing these chemicals as a barrier to termites. A termite nest in a tree could take two to five years before the termites within that nest are likely to pose a danger to the surrounding property. Termite nests in trees can weaken the structure of the tree and possibly cause its collapse, although termites do not normally kill the trees. Termite tunnels can be up to 20 cm below the ground level and termites can range in excess of 50m from the nest and therefore trees in the surrounding area could also be suspect. Hence regular inspections by qualified inspectors and the correct treatment of residences will greatly reduce the risk and exposure to structural damage being caused by termites. Barrier treatments will normally carry a guarantee against future attack. Remember the pest inspection is a report on a property at a particular time and not a guarantee against future attack. No property is safe from termites! Termites are the cause of the greatest economic losses of timber in service in Australia. Independent data compiled by State Forests shows 1 in every 5 homes is attacked by termites at some stage in its life. Australia’s subterranean termite species (white ants) are the most destructive timber pests in the world. In fact it can take "as little as 3 months for a termite colony to severely damage almost all the timber in a home." Want More Information?If you require more information about
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