To help you avoid Termite Attack here are some recommendations from our insurance company:

Any structure can be attacked by termites. Periodic maintenance should include measures to minimise the possibilities of infestation in and around your home. Factors which may lead to infestation include:

• Edge of concrete slab concealed – Ensure the edge of your slab is fully exposed.
• Weep holes blocked – Ensure weep holes are fully exposed. This includes clearing or pruning plants and mulch.
• Less than 400mm clearance – Try and improve ventilation to these areas.
• Earth/wood contact – Remove all such contact areas by lowering or digging away the soil. Use metal stirrups to mount pergolas, etc.
• Damp areas – Remove moisture sources, repair leaking downpipes, taps, etc and grade soil to ensure run-off.
• Form-work & scrap timber – Remove all scrap timbers and do not store any timber adjacent to the house.
• Stumps – Remove or have test drilled and checked by a timber pest manager.
• Mulch – Try and avoid using mulch on garden beds adjacent to the house.
• Tree branches touching the structure – Remove all such occurrences.
• Wood rot – Replace any decayed timbers. Use Treated Timber where posible.
• A Full Inspection and Report should be carried out every six months – Regular inspections DO NOT stop attack, but may limit the amount of damage by detecting problems early.
• Engage a professional pest controller who is insured to provide a management program – There is no way of preventing attack. The provision of a complete termite barrier will impede and discourage concealed entry into a building. It cannot prevent attack. Termites can still bridge or breach barriers but they can be detected more readily during routine inspections.