Most homeowners know that timber pests have the potential to cause some damage to their property, but many aren’t aware of just how serious a threat these pests can cause. In fact, Australia is home to every known termite ecological group, which encompasses more than three-hundred and fifty different species. Though only a small number of those termite species cause property damage, a single colony can be enormously prolific and incredibly destructive.
How Much Damage Can Timber Pests Cause?
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to believe that such small insects are only capable of creating a proportionate amount of damage, but this is simply not the case. A single termite colony can potentially infest any structure within a fifty-metre radius, building a network of tunnels which allows them to cause over $100 million worth of damage to Australian properties each year.
One nest site can lead to infestation problems for an entire neighbourhood, and much of the damage caused by these destructive insects is invisible to the untrained eye. Many homeowners have no idea of the extent of the damage inflicted upon their property until structural integrity is severely compromised, or until a pre-purchase inspection turns up evidence which could derail an otherwise promising property sale.
How to Protect Your Home Against Timber Pests
If you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, you should absolutely make a point of scheduling a timber pest inspection before your property is placed on the market. This gives you an opportunity to mitigate damage caused by termites, and a better chance of selling your home than if an infestation is discovered as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Still, the best way to protect yourself, your home and your property investment is to secure annual timber pest inspections from a neutral, unbiased and registered building inspector on an annual basis, regardless of your plans to sell or lack thereof.
All too often, homeowners neglect these crucial inspections until the moment of absolute necessity, leaving termites to carry on unchecked for months or even years at a time. The longer a timber pest colony is allowed to thrive, the longer they’re able to operate and the more damage they’re able to cause.
Pest control companies can and often do offer inspections, but it’s a good idea to remember that these companies have a vested interest in uncovering signs of an infestation, whether they actually exist or not. Your best best is to work with a professional building inspection company which does not provide repairs, pest control or timber pest mitigation services in order to obtain a clear and honest appraisal of your property’s condition in relation to timber pest presence.
Don’t let timber pests destroy your property
Contact a reputable, registered building inspector today to schedule your pest and building inspections in Sydney and New South Wales.
—-
Houspect Building Inspections– Buy, Build, Invest and Sell with Confidence