In this video, we will explore the extent of damage caused by termites to houses and effective preventive measures. We all know that immediate action is required once termites are detected in a house to prevent further irreversible damage, such as chewing on critical components like wooden floors, walls, and roof beams, potentially leading to collapse.
Termite infestations not only lower property values but can also impact rental income for landlords, especially if tenants are affected and their living conditions compromised. Therefore, preventive measures are crucial. It is recommended to have houses inspected every 12 months, with more frequent inspections in high-risk areas, to ensure the effectiveness of termite control measures.
Termite inspections involve not only checking for termite presence but also identifying any potential factors that could lead to future infestations. Factors such as newly planted garden beds, wood chips piled around the house, or structures like fences, pergolas, and carports directly connected to the house may contribute to termite infestations. This is because termite attacks usually originate from nests underground. When termites face exposure risk, they construct mud tunnels to traverse piers or walls and infiltrate buildings to feed on wood. To prevent termites from crawling through ventilation holes, a minimum clearance of 75 millimeters is required.
Common termite control methods
Common termite control methods include chemical treatments and physical barriers, below are some of the termite solutions:
- Chemical treatments:
This involves creating chemical isolation zones to deter termite intrusion. Regular reapplication is necessary, and there may be environmental implications.
2. Physical barriers:
Primarily used in suspended floor constructions, entail installing ant caps on top of stumps and piers to hinder termite access, encouraging them to open areas where they can be detected during inspections. However, this method cannot completely prevent termites from entering buildings.
3. Graded stone systems utilize carefully graded and compacted granite particles to block termite pathways. This method combines the advantages of chemical and physical systems but is more costly.
4. Stainless steel mesh systems:
Similar to traditional ant caps, consist of finely woven stainless steel placed under the concrete slab or around the building perimeter to deter termites. Chemical systems may be used in conjunction for penetrations.
5. Concrete slabs can serve as termite barriers, significantly reducing the likelihood of major cracking that allows termite access. Exposing concrete slab edges can guide termites through cracks for easier identification during inspections.
As for properties managed by Midas, we often engage services with a termite control company called Termicide Pest Control. For older houses, they typically use liquid treatment, while for newer houses, they opt for stainless steel mesh barriers. Due to our longstanding partnership, we can negotiate more favorable prices for landlords, such as bundle packages combining termite inspections and pest control for around $300 per year, providing peace of mind for both landlords and tenants.
The cost of reapplying termite chemicals is relatively higher, around $800, but with the integration of annual inspections, it only needs to be done every 7-8 years, making it a worthwhile investment compared to potential termite damage. All these costs are deducted directly from the landlord’s rental income and clearly listed on the monthly statements. Landlords can also claim tax deductions based on the annual reports we provide.
Landlords may wonder, who will be responsible for these regular inspections and pest control treatments? Before new tenants move in, the initial pest control treatment is the responsibility of the landlord, while subsequent treatments are at the tenant’s expense. If tenants have pets, the pet agreement stipulates that tenants must arrange for pest control and deep carpet cleaning upon moving out.
Conclusion
That’s all for today’s video. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our service, feel free to reach out. I hope this video has been helpful, thanks for watching and see you next time!