The Truth About Timber Pests And Damages

One of the biggest and most dangerous problems that new home buyers could face are damages caused by timber pests. This is mainly because it is very difficult to detect their presence in a home until it is too late, and extensive damage has already been done to the timber laden areas of the house, including the structure, decks and patios, furniture etc. This is why the importance of carrying out a pre-purchase timber pest inspection in Sydney is stressed, and why new home buyers should always get one done.

The inspectors who carry out these timber pest inspections have the experience to notice even very minute signs of pest infestations which we may not detect, and thereby give the home buyers recommendations on what could be done. They will even find those areas which they feel are conducive to pest infestations, such as moisture rich areas of the house, and give their recommendations. Whether the house already has a pest infestation or is creating an atmosphere conducive to it, it is always best to get these inspections done prior to making your investment, because replacement of timber can cost you a bundle, and that is not the kind of expense you want to have to pocket out so soon after buying a new home.

Some common types of timber pests that attack homes are:

• Termites – These insects are very difficult to detect and the same goes for the damage they cause to timber, because they eat and destroy the wood from the inside out, leaving a very thin veneer of wood on the outside or simply the paint layer only. Hence, just by looking at the timber you will not see that there is any damage to it, but in fact the wood may actually be hollow inside because they have eaten it. The problem here is the danger it causes for those living in the house if damage has been done to structural timber. Termites are also a rapidly growing kind of timber pest, and they can spread very fast not only within an individual house, but within a community as well.
• Borers – When it comes to borers, it is their larvae that actually bore through the wood and cause extreme and utter devastation to timber laden areas of the house. With these types of timber pests however, you can sometimes physically detect their existence since they make long tunnels in the wood which are visible to the eye.
• Timber Rot – Wood rot is caused by a fungus, and makes timber lose their weight and strength. Lack of ventilation, heat and humidity all combined make an environment that is conducive to wood rot, and the only solution will be to replace the timber in those areas.

Whether you actually have timber pests in your home or not, it is important even after buying your new home, to protect it against these pests. Regular timber pest inspections in Sydney and elsewhere should be carried out in the home, followed by periodical treatments. It is of the utmost importance to ensure that the home and the surrounding areas are not conducive to pest infestations or growth, hence moisture should be minimised in timber laden sections of the house.

If you have grass or sod that is growing above the level of the house, then this too could cause pest infestations, and so can leaks, poor ventilation etc. When it comes to termites, if you can find their nest, it is best to destroy it, since they can quickly spread and make their nest elsewhere.

Professional pest control companies are highly experienced in the treatment for timber pests, and it is best to get the expertise of such a company, so that they can give you the best recommendations for your specific requirement. You may sometimes think that it is an unnecessary expense to regularly conduct timber pest inspections as well as carry out these treatments, but when you think about the alternative in terms of the dangers it could cause for your family and the huge expenses involved with replacing timber, it is a very cost-effective investment, and very small in comparison.

So, whether you are a new buyer or a home owner, be mindful of the damage that these timber pests can do to your home and the dangers they can create. Proper maintenance of your home and regulated inspections and treatments can keep you safe from termites, borers and wood decay.