Common Wood Boring Pests and Ways to Eliminate Them

In the diverse and vast community of pests that cause different types of problems in residential as well as commercial premises, there are some who have the capability of inflicting damage on wooden items. Some of them have a diet that consists primarily of wood, while others simply bore through it in order to gain access. Although there is quite a handful of pests exhibiting either of the two behaviour, four of them are the most notorious of all – termites, carpenter ants, powderpost beetles and carpenter bees. Let’s have a look at them in detail and some measures that can be used for controlling them.

Termites

The most common wood borers not only in Australia but all across the world, termites cause millions worth of property damage every year. After infesting a particular place, they can easily remain concealed from sight and keep chewing on wooden items slowly. One of the most effective ways of termite treatment and prevention is to use liquid treatment solutions that can be applied near suspected areas in and around the premises. Not only does it eliminate the existing termites, but also create a protective barrier against future infestations. Another effective control method is to place bait stations in close proximity of their activity grounds. Termites ingesting the bait will carry it to the nest and eventually kill the entire colony. However, using monitoring and bait stations can be tricky to use and it is recommended to get in touch with a reputed pest management company that provides efficient services of termite control in Melbourne.

Carpenter Ants

These insects have the habit of building nests in wood and cutting galleries within hollow wood grain for creating passageways and sections. Carpenter ants generally reside in moist areas or places with a water source nearby. For controlling them, it is essential to locate their nests first and then remove or eliminate them using treatment solutions.

Powderpost Beetles

Powderpost beetles can bore holes in wooden items of varying sizes, ranging from those not wider than the diameter of a pencil to large oval cavities. Spraying liquid insecticides in their activity grounds can sometimes be effective. However, the only way to deal with a full-fledged infestation is by contacting a professional firm dealing with pest control in Melbourne.

Carpenter Bees

These powerful bees can easily drill holes into decks, soffits, posts, bare or painted wood and wooden furniture. Petrol, diesel, aerosol carburetor cleaner and boric acid can possibly be used for eliminating a few intruders. However, the safest way to control or get rid of them is by letting professionals take care of the job.

Termite Infestation, Their Treatment and Prevention Methods

Termite Infestation, Their Treatment and Prevention Methods from bayswaterpestcontrol

Helpful Tips To Control and Check Pests

Helpful Tips To Control and Check Pests from Amelia White

Termite Attacks And Measures To Stop Them

Despite of their insignificantly small size, termites cause an incredible amount of damage to human property around the globe every year. Commonly known as 'white ants', they devour large amounts of wood and all other materials that contain cellulose. Though puny as individuals, they often form highly organised colonies of millions or more.  Most of the time, a termite infestation in a household goes undetected until it's too late.

Termites seek shelter in places that are humid, still and dark. The interior surface of timber is one of their most favourite dwelling places. They usually leave the outer surface intact, making it hard to notice the damage and also their presence, until the structure has begun to crumble slowly. Most of the times, internal damage inflicted by termites goes undetected until the infestation becomes severe. Wood attacked by termites can easily be mistaken for water damage. The visible signs of termite attacks include bloated wood, puffed up floors and ceilings.

Termites can also live between walls, and the evidence of their presence in the tiny wall-cracks is provided by grains of mud and termite faeces escaping through the cracks. They build mud tubes or tunnels to gain access to a household, for protection against changes in humidity, sunlight and to maintain a constant level of moisture content for survival. The tunnels are generally constructed in corners, cracks in the concrete or brickwork and on the surface of timber structures. Termite infestations can also give out an unpleasant odour which is similar to that of mildew or mould.

Termites can silently chew on expensive investments and they cause more damage that any other pest because they remain hidden from the sight. Fortunately, there are some effective termite treatment and prevention methods which can save the household as well as the valuable wooden appliances in the house from termite attacks:

• Old wood should be kept away from home, and stored off the ground on a metal frame.
• Masonry piers or stumps with termite shields should be used to provide extra support to the floor. Steel posts with capped tops can also act as a good substitute.
• The underside and perimeter of the house should be kept as dry as possible.
• Termite treatment liquids and baits can be used if the infestation is extensive. Liquid termiticides provide a long-lasting barrier prohibiting the entry of termites in the building. Termite baits consist of paper, cardboard, etc combined with a substance lethal to termites.