What to Expect During an Active Termite Treatment
If active termites have been found in your home or business, it is important not to disturb them or attempt to treat the activity yourself. Disturbing termite workings or applying household insecticides can cause termites to retreat from the area, making the activity more difficult to assess and treat.
Surekill Pest Control will assess the active termite areas and determine the most appropriate treatment method for the situation. Active termite treatment will commonly involve termite baiting, although other targeted treatment methods may be recommended depending on the location and nature of the termite activity.
The aim of active termite treatment is to control the termite activity and, where possible, target the colony responsible. Treatment and follow-up requirements can vary depending on the termite species, location of the colony, extent of activity and treatment method used.
01
What to Do If You Find Active Termites
Do Not Disturb the Termites
If you discover active termites, leave the area as undisturbed as possible. Do not break open termite workings, mud leads or damaged timber to investigate further.
Disturbing termite activity may cause the termites to retreat from the area or alter their activity, which can make assessment and treatment more difficult.
Do Not Spray or Treat Them Yourself
Do not apply household insect sprays, chemicals or other pest-control products to the termites or their workings. Killing the termites that are visible does not necessarily address the colony responsible for the activity and may interfere with the professional treatment process.
Leave the Area Accessible
Where practical, leave the area containing the termite activity accessible for your Surekill technician. Avoid moving furniture, removing damaged timber, opening walls or carrying out repairs around the affected area before it has been assessed.
Contact Surekill Pest Control
Contact Surekill as soon as practical and let us know where the termites have been found. If possible, explain whether you can see live termites, mud workings, damaged timber or another sign of activity.
Until your technician attends, the most helpful thing you can do is leave the termites and their workings alone.
02
Quote and Booking Information
Assessment and Quote
Before active termite treatment begins, your Surekill technician will assess the areas where termite activity has been identified. The location and extent of accessible activity will help determine the treatment method recommended for your property.
The technician will explain the proposed treatment and provide a quote before proceeding with the active termite treatment.
Booking and Treatment Time
Your scheduled booking time is an arrival window, not the time by which the treatment will be completed. Please allow sufficient time after your scheduled arrival window for the technician to assess and treat the termite activity.
The time required can vary depending on the location and extent of the activity, accessibility and the treatment method required.
Access to the Property
Please ensure the technician can safely access the areas where termite activity has been found. Let Surekill know beforehand if there are locked areas, difficult access points, roof or subfloor access issues, or anything else that may restrict the inspection or treatment.
Payment
Payment can be made by EFT/bank transfer, cash, EFTPOS or credit card. Payment is required in accordance with the payment terms advised when your service is booked.
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Before Active Termite Treatment
Discussing the Termite Activity
When your technician arrives, show them the areas where you have seen active termites or signs of termite activity. Let them know when the activity was first noticed and whether anything around the area has been disturbed or treated since it was discovered.
Assessment of Active Areas
Your technician will carefully assess the accessible termite activity and workings. Where possible, the termites should remain active and undisturbed so the technician can determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
The assessment may also include checking other relevant areas of the property to help determine the extent and location of accessible termite activity.
Identifying the Termites
Where active termites are available, the technician may identify the termite species or collect a sample for identification. Correct identification can assist with treatment decisions because different termite species can have different nesting and behavioural characteristics.
Locating the Colony
Where practical, the technician may investigate possible colony or nesting locations, including relevant trees, stumps and other areas around the property. The colony responsible for termite activity within a building may be located some distance from where the termites have been discovered.
Selecting the Treatment
After assessing the activity, your technician will determine the treatment method considered most appropriate for the situation. Termite baiting is commonly used for treating active termites, although another targeted treatment may be recommended depending on the location and circumstances.
04
Active Termite Treatment Process
Professional Termite Treatment
Active termite treatments are carried out in accordance with relevant Australian Standards and industry practices. The treatment method used will depend on the location and extent of the termite activity, accessibility and the circumstances of the property.
Termite Baiting
Termite baiting is commonly used for the treatment of active termites. Bait is carefully placed where termites are actively feeding so they can continue feeding with minimal disturbance.
The termites consume the bait and carry it back through their workings, allowing the active ingredient to be transferred between termites within the colony. This process occurs progressively, so the treatment requires time and ongoing monitoring rather than producing an immediate result.
Your technician will return to check the termite activity and bait consumption and replenish or adjust the bait where required.
Foaming
Depending on the location of the termite activity, termite foam may be used to treat concealed or difficult-to-access areas. The foam expands through the treated area, allowing the product to reach spaces where termite activity is present.
Dusting
Termite dust may be used in certain situations where active termites and suitable workings are accessible. The dust is carefully introduced into the termite workings with minimal disturbance, allowing contaminated termites to transfer the treatment to other termites through their normal social behaviour.
Drill and Inject Trees
Where termite activity is found in a tree, Surekill will drill and inject the tree to treat the termite activity within it. Treatment points are drilled into the appropriate area of the tree and the selected termite treatment is injected into the termite workings or nesting area.
The treatment points are then sealed after treatment.
Treatment Is Not the End of the Process
Active termite treatment requires follow-up. Your technician will advise when the treated areas need to be checked and whether further baiting or treatment is required.
05
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Follow-Up Inspections
Active termite treatment is not necessarily completed in a single visit. Follow-up inspections are an important part of the treatment process and allow your technician to assess the termite activity and determine how the treatment is progressing.
Monitoring Termite Baiting
Where termite baiting has been used, the bait will be checked at scheduled intervals. Your technician will assess termite activity and bait consumption and replenish or adjust the bait as required.
It is important that the bait and termite workings are not disturbed between visits.
Further Treatment
Depending on the response to treatment, additional baiting or another targeted treatment may be required. Treatment and monitoring will continue as appropriate until your technician is satisfied with the outcome of the active termite treatment.
After Active Termite Treatment
The absence of visible termite activity does not mean that a property is protected from future termite attack. Once the active termite treatment has been completed, your technician can discuss ongoing termite inspection, monitoring and prevention options appropriate for the property.
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Ongoing Termite Risk Management
Managing Termite Risk After Treatment
Treating active termites addresses the termite activity that has been identified, but it does not prevent termites from attacking the property in the future. Termites can establish new colonies or approach a building from other areas, so ongoing termite management is important.
Regular Termite Inspections
Regular professional termite inspections can help identify new termite activity or conditions that may increase the risk of termite attack. Your technician can recommend an appropriate inspection frequency based on the property and its termite risk.
Termite Monitoring and Baiting Systems
A termite monitoring and baiting system may be recommended to provide ongoing monitoring around the property. These systems are regularly inspected for termite activity and can form part of a long-term termite management program.
Termite Prevention Systems
Depending on the construction and circumstances of the property, termite prevention options may include a chemical soil treatment, reticulation system or other suitable termite management system.
Reducing Conditions That Increase Termite Risk
Your technician may also identify conditions around the property that could increase termite risk, such as excessive moisture, poor drainage, timber in contact with soil, tree stumps or other conducive conditions. Where practical, correcting these conditions can form an important part of ongoing termite management.
Changes Around the Property
Renovations, extensions, plumbing work, excavation, new paving, landscaping, garden beds and changes to ground levels can affect existing termite management systems or create new areas of termite risk. Where possible, contact Surekill before carrying out work that may interfere with an existing termite management system.
