Tips on how to stop termites
Ensure all timbers are clear of the soil
Termites are subterranean, meaning that the travel through the soil. One of the most common reasons termites get into a building is because building timbers are in direct contact with the ground or soil. Termites are able to travel through the soil and then directly into the timbers that are in contact the with soil.
Weatherboard homes are often vulnerable to termite attack where the timber baseboards or barge boards are in contact with the soil. Timber nailing cleats, which are used to attach baseboards to concrete stumps, are also often in contact with the soil. This commonly occurs when garden beds are built against the baseboards.
Both baseboards and nailing cleats should have a 100mm air gap between those timbers and the soil/garden beds.
Other areas where timbers are in contact with the soil include timber stumps, steps, decks or veranda posts.
Any timber steps or posts for verandas, decks or pergolas should always be placed up on stirrups to elevate them out of the soil.
It is not unusual for termites to travel through the centre of timber stumps to get into houses. Ideally, timber stumps should be replaced with concrete stumps, or at the very least, all timber stumps should be fitted with appropriate ant capping.
Both baseboards and nailing cleats should have a 100mm air gap between those timbers and the soil/garden beds.
Other areas where timbers are in contact with the soil include timber stumps, steps, decks or veranda posts.
Any timber steps or posts for verandas, decks or pergolas should always be placed up on stirrups to elevate them out of the soil.
It is not unusual for termites to travel through the centre of timber stumps to get into houses. Ideally, timber stumps should be replaced with concrete stumps, or at the very least, all timber stumps should be fitted with appropriate ant capping.
