Services
Termite Inspections
All houses in mainland Australia should be regularly inspected for Termites.
The Australian Standard Timber Pest Inspections AS 4349.3 – 1998 advises as follows:
"Regular, competent inspections are strongly recommended at least on an annual basis. Where justified more frequent inspections may be recommended, eg. in situations considered more conducive to timber pest infestation".
Tedmans inspectors are experienced in this type of work – they have the appropriate State licences, and both Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance.
Our inspections include all accessible void areas, the interior and exterior parts of the building – as well as immediate yard areas, fences and outbuildings. Standard inspection tools-of-trade includes a torch, a Moisture-Meter and a "donger/probe". Where there are areas of concern, the use of a Thermal Imaging Camera, a Boroscope or a Temperature Probe may be recommended.
Tedmans inspectors will also make a recommendation of how frequently your property should be inspected in future. It may be annually or six monthly, or even quarterly in high-risk situations. The recommendation will be based on whether the building has a termite "history" and if there are conditions conducive to termite attack – eg. dampness, high soil levels or ventilation problems. The higher the termite risk the more frequently your property should be inspected.
Finally, a written report is supplied. It details not only findings, but lists those areas included in the inspection, and those areas not inspected. The report also contain recommendations for prevention/or control of Termites.
Pre-Purchase Inspections
Pre-Purchase Inspections are now a fact-of-life for anyone purchasing or refinancing a home.
The three types of inspections most required are:
- Pre-Purchase Pest Report as per Australian Standard AS 4349.3
- Pre-Purchase Building Report as per Australian Standard AS 4349.1
- Combination Pre-Purchase Pest & Building Report
All reports go into considerable detail, and are usually in excess of ten (10) pages in length.
Tedmans are licensed to carry out all of these reports in both NSW and Queensland.
Before a report is carried out a Pre-Inspection Agreement must be signed by the Purchaser. This agreement clearly details what the Purchaser should expect from the report – and the limitations and conditions of that report.
Termite Management
The Australian Standard AS 3660–Termite Management advises that termites pose a significant economic risk to buildings and structures throughout mainland Australia.
In any given area it is normal for new termite colonies to be established, or existing colonies to be seeking new food sources. Consequently few properties should be considered immune to attack.
Termite Management may be either Pre-Construction or Post Construction.
Pre-Construction:
This may involve application of a chemical barrier (Eg. Application of chemical termiticide by hand spraying or a reticulation system), or installation of a physical barrier (Eg. Stainless steel mesh or aluminium sheet). Currently physical barriers are the favoured method of protecting new buildings.
Post Construction:
The two principle methods of controlling Termites in buildings are Termite Barriers, and Termite Interception & Baiting Systems. Both methods have been used successfully for many years in Australia – professional advice is required to determine which method is best suited for each situation.
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Termite Barrier Treatments
These consist of an application of a Termite control agent to the perimeter and/or underneath soil parts of a building. These control agents protect the building from attack for some years – but as they are biodegradable, eventually need to be replaced.
Control agents most commonly used are Imidacloprid, Fipronil and Bifenthrin. Tedmans are accredited to use all three control agents.
Termite Barrier Treatments are usually very effective. However as it is usually necessary to dig a trench around the base of the building to be protected, and sometimes to drill many holes in concrete slab areas – it can be disruptive and costly.
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Termite Interception & Baiting Systems
Termite Interception & Baiting Systems may be used for Post-Construction Termite Management, or as an early warning Termite detection system.
These systems are relatively new to Australia. They are designed to locate Termite activity and to destroy Termite Colonies. They are proving very effective and usually less costly than Termite Barrier Treatments, but may take many months before colony elimination is obtained.
The three systems widely used in Australia are Exterra©, Nemesis© and Sentricon©. Tedmans are accredited installers of all three systems.
The notes below are for the Exterra® Termite Interception & Baiting System. However there are many similarities between all three systems.
The Exterra® Termite Interception & Baiting System is designed to intercept foraging termites and concentrating their feeding in the Exterra® Stations. The Exterra® In-ground Stations containing timber interceptors are embedded in the soil around the perimeter of the building. These are inspected on a regular basis until termites are intercepted.
At this point Exterra® Requiem Termite Bait is added to the Station. Requiem is a Chitin Synthesis Inhibitor. A key component of a termite’s exoskeleton is the substance chitin. Without chitin termites cannot complete their natural molting process. If they do not molt, they die. This results in the death and elimination of the colony while avoiding the use of toxic chemicals in the environment.
When the colony has been eliminated, the Requiem termite bait is removed and fresh timber interceptors are placed in the Stations. These Stations continue to be monitored on a regular basis.
The Exterra® Termite Interception & Baiting System is a new concept in Termite Management. Unlike traditional Termite Management toxic dusts and sprays are not used. And there is no need to dig up soil around the base of buildings, or drill concrete slabs to install chemical barriers.
Termite Damage Repairs
An important matter arising out of a Termite attack is Termite Damage Repairs.
One of Tedmans Franchisees is a licensed Builder (in both NSW and Queensland), as well as a licensed Termite Manager. He has been able to advise many Clients on the best way of tackling Termite damage repairs. And has also carried out the work in some cases.
Some of the issue are, “when should the repairs be carried out?” and “how much repair work is really needed?” Also, “can I still get Termite Timber Replacement Warranty cover?”.
If you would like an obligation free advice on Termite Damage Repairs call Tedmans Central Booking Office.
Pest Control
Pest Control is an ongoing process And a regular program of follow-ups are essential to obtain worthwhile results. Homes should be treated at least once a year and preferably twice annually. Commercial/Industrial premises require much more frequent followup.
There is now a tendency towards using low hazard, low odour control agents – e.g. pyrethroids. These materials are biodegradable and favoured for use around those who have allergies. The downside is that followup treatments now need to be more frequent.