Local environment, geography
What species of termite generally has been found in the local area? Are they arboreal nesters, mound nesters or opportunistic nesters? Do they have multiple connected nests or are they solitary? Do they have many colonizing flights per year or few? Is the local soil sandy or rocky? Are there natural permanent moisture sources available? What is the local available food source?
Local history
The estate where the home or building that is being inspected may not have looked like it does now forever. 200 years ago there may have been a very large stand of forest trees in the very place that is now covered in houses. Before the forest was cut down a sawmill may have been built to process the logs as they were cut. What happened to the stumps that were in the ground when the trees were felled? What happened to the large amount of sawdust that was a waste product over many years, is it still buried deep under the homes.
History of home or building being inspected
Has the home that is being inspected ever had any additions, particularly that changed the footprint of the building? Have regular inspections been carried out on the property? Have any major earth works been carried out near the foundations of the property? Have any large trees been removed recently? Were the stumps removed or are they still there unseen?
Treatment history (if any)
When the home was built or additions completed was any type of treatment carried out? Has any remedial or preventative treatment been carried out since construction? Have any of the neighbours had any termite control issues or treatments carried out recently? Have any of the neighbours had any termite baiting systems installed recently? What types of pesticides have been used when and how long do they last?
Recommendations for the future
Chemical treatments are not the only long term solution and it can in fact be argued that they should be only used as a last resort. The small environmental changes that we can make around our buildings can have a very positive impact on keeping our buildings termite free.
- Reduce moisture sources such as leaky taps, dripping hot water systems and leaking pipes.
- Reduce potential food sources by cleaning up any waste or inappropriately stored timbers and other products containing cellulose.
- Remove articles stored against the building that block our line of site and therefore do not properly allow inspection.
- Reduce the amount of items used in landscaping and gardening that contain cellulose and are therefore a good easy food source for termites.
In summary a trained termite inspector will know all of the above and will be bringing to your property a very large amount of information which may never be mentioned, but which plays a large part in his or her overall findings and recommendations. You cannot replace this depth of knowledge and it only comes after many years of experience in the industry.
Article is by Rowan Gregson |
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