Understanding termites
There are 2,000 known species of termites in the world, and approximately 360 species in Australia. These insects are socialites: they raise their young in a group, building massive colonies that can have millions of members, including a king and queen.
Only some termites have wings: adults called alates. They’re the scouters who go out and look for new colonies, generally during the day. If you find them outside, their nest is probably somewhere in your backyards, maybe near a tree stump or landscape timbers. But if you find alates inside, you likely have an infestation in your home or business.
They’ve been around for more than 20 million years and, although hard to believe, they are actually pretty helpful to the environment. They recycle dead and decaying trees into new soil; they aerate and improve soil. All these activities are vital to the health of our forests.
They do this by breaking down plant fibres, or cellulose, through their digestive tracts, which contain microorganisms that help them digest cellulose. They get these microorganisms from eating each other’s poo! Gross, but true.
Why you have a termite problem
The thing about termites is they love eating – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Obviously, they need something to feed on, and it just so happens that our homes contain the favourite food of termites: cellulose. Wooden chairs, tables and door frames are just a few examples that contain cellulose.
It’s no wonder that these silent destroyers get busy. They’ll chew their way through wood, flooring – even wallpaper.
When would I get termites in my home?
Early Spring is usually when you can expect to see alates – this is when they fly away to form their own colonies.
What to do if you think you have termites
- Don’t panic
- Don’t disturb
Finding termites in your home or business can be very stressful. Your first thought may be to remove the damaged area or to treat with household chemicals. Don’t!
Call us for free advice and quotes – or send us pictures. It’s possible that it may not be termites.
Pest Brigade Termite Treatment
1. Termite inspection & quote
We’ll visit your home or business and do a physical inspection. Only then will we give you a quote based on aspects such as:
- Termite activity
- Termite damage
- Process required
- Limitations
- Ease of access, eg. external room with water tanks outside which restricts our usual treatment
- Amount of chemicals to be used
- Size of the area to be treated
3. 28-30 days later: Apply chemical barrier
Termites are persistent – they will keep coming back unless a longer term, preventative treatment is applied to affected areas.
2. Dust or foam any termite activity
We’ll treat your home or business as soon as possible to limit damage. How will we know where they’ve been?
- Soft floorboards
- Soft doorframes
- Flying termites inside or outside the home
- Damaged furniture (anything that has cellulose fibre – their food) such as pianos, wooden chairs and tables, and wardrobes
4. 30 days later: Final check
We’ll do a final check to see if termite activity has stopped. This is usually the end of treatment. If they’re still around, we’ll keep coming back until they’re gone – at no extra cost. That’s part of our professional service.
Chemicals used
We use chemicals Termidor and Altriset. These are high quality, non-generic products that are:
- Safe for you you, your family, pets, pregnant women, and the environment
- Guaranteed to keep termites away for 8 years
- Non-repellent
- Proven to keep termites away for 8 years or more (if barriers are not broken)
About repellent and non-repellent chemicals
Non-repellent chemicals can’t be detected by termites so they’ll make contact with them and pass it onto the rest of their colony, effectively exterminating them. These cost more, but work longer, and are much safer.
Repellent chemicals can be detected, so termites will avoid them. If used around the perimeter of your home they may be effectively locked in
Find out more about termites
Pest Brigade Termite Service
- Termite removal service
- Only quality products used
- Safe chemicals for kids and pets
- Competitive prices
- All work insured and compliant with Australian standards
FAQs
I found a cheaper termite treatment quote - can you match it?
Termite protection is an investment in your home’s structural integrity. Budget quotes often rely on generic repellent chemicals that termites can bypass, while we use premium non-repellent technology such as Termidor and Altriset. These products create a transfer effect that helps eliminate the colony rather than simply redirecting termite activity.
Are the termite chemicals used safe for my family and pets?
Yes. We are accredited installers of Termidor and Altriset, two of the most trusted names in termite control. These products are designed for use around family homes and have a strong safety profile when applied by licensed professionals. Once the treatment has dried, it is safe for normal activity to resume.
How long does a termite treatment guarantee last?
When using industry-leading products such as Termidor, your property can be protected for up to 8 years provided the chemical barrier remains undisturbed. Renovations, landscaping or plumbing works can breach the barrier, which is why we recommend annual termite inspections to make sure your protection remains effective.
How much damage can termites actually do to my home?
Termites are a serious threat because they work continuously and often remain hidden until structural damage has already occurred. A mature colony can cause major damage to the timber framing of a home within a relatively short period, which is why proactive barriers and regular inspections are so important.
NB: Accredited Termidor installer
Contact us to organise a pest inspection and treatment..
Quality products that we use
