Preparation is as important as ‘application’ when doing a Termite Treatment

Prepping a house for a Termite Treatment can be a big job, especially if there is a large amount of personal items under the house that need to be removed. Or if there is crazy overgrowth up against the house.

When we are doing a treatment under a house in the subfloor or garage, it is not uncommon to find a large amount of stored items placed right over where we need to apply the chemical. This needs to be moved, or removed.

Most homes where we are applying a chemical treatment to the external perimeter have overgrown gardens and large shrubs and even trees right up against the house. As we need to dig a trench 150 mm wide and down to the footings, these trees and garden beds need to be removed.

Things you should do before and after a chemical termite treatment

1. Remove any plants that will have large and spreading roots 1 metre from the wall. If you want plants for privacy or ascetics, grow them in large pots above the ground.
2. Cut back any shrubbery or branches so you have clear visual access to the base of your home. It should be wide enough to easily walk around the house. Remember, you should be checking regularly along the perimeter for any telltale signs of termites.
3. After the treatment, lay pebbles or small stones strip up against the house rather than mulch. Stones are a less favourable environment for termites to forage. For more info about mulch and termites - please read.
4. After the treatment, don’t store edible items like cardboard boxes and timber directly on the ground. Build suspended racks to store those loose pieces of timber you want to hang on to.
5. Try to keep a gap behind cabinets and stored items in your garage or storage rooms so you and the inspector can see behind.
6. Never stack items against the brick walls in your subfloor. Termites love this secure area to gain concealed access to the timbers above.
7. Check there is no constant moisture issue in the soil against the house and subfloor areas. Fix that leaking tap or busted stormwater pipe. Make sure there is natural drainage in your subfloor or improve ventilation.