Termites are one of the most destructive insect pests in the world and are responsible for the destruction of countless buildings and structures. There are approximately 360 species of termites throughout Australia. Most termites are beneficial to ecosystems, helping to break down and recycle dead and rotten timber and other plant matter as well as being a source of food to many animals.
Only a small number cause damage to our homes, businesses and crops. The goal of eco-friendly pest control is to mitigate the economic destruction caused by these select species without harming the wider ecosystem.
Are Termite Treatments Safe for the Environment?
In the past, pesticides and other chemical compounds were used to control termites that were later found to harm the environment and pose potential health risk to people and pets. These often included organic chlorides or hydrocarbons that persist in the environment for a long time and could potentially pollute groundwater.
Finding an environmentally friendly termite control solution that is still highly effective remains a major challenge today. While today’s chemical treatment solutions are far less harmful than in the past, the most eco-friendly approach to dealing with termites is through prevention and control. This includes regular inspections and baiting.
Termite Inspections and Prevention
Prevention is the best cure when it comes to termite infestation and that begins with prevention and getting regular termite inspections if your home is at risk. Clear your property of timber lying around, such as logs, tree stumps and piles of firewood. Keeping you house dry and well-ventilated and try to incorporate physical barriers on your property such as rock or metal.
Get your property thoroughly checked by a professional, including roof voids, sub-floor areas, fences, garden landscape timbers and retaining walls. Termite control professionals can use thermal imaging to detect termite activity, which is essential for finding underground nests in a way that isn’t invasive or damages your property. Other advanced tools for detecting termites include radar and moisture analysis scans.
Baiting
Baiting and trapping termites using products like Exterra and Sentricon Always Active minimises your impact on the environment. These are installed strategically and discreetly around your property in areas are likely to forage. Inside the baiting stations are a substance termite find more attractive than wood. The bait is completely non-toxic to people and pets, containing an insect growth regulator that disrupts the termite’s ability to periodically shed their skin, leading to the eventual demise of the entire colony.
Baiting is the ideal, eco-friendly option for controlling termites as it offers continued safety and protection, doesn’t require any drilling, digging or disruption to your property, can eliminate the entire termite colony more effectively than many chemical barriers and is safe for your family, pets and the environment. Keep in mind that if you have a severe infestation that has reached inside the home, baiting may no longer be an effective solution.
Eco-Friendly Termite and Pest Control in Queensland
If you have a termite problem on your property in Brisbane, Redland Bay, Ipswich or Logan, call the team at Critters Pest Management. We use state-of-the-art thermal imaging to detect termite activity and provide highly effective and sustainable termite inspection and termite treatment methods including termite barriers.
Call our friendly professionals today on 1300 186 255 to make a booking or contact us online.