The Exopest philosophy is to help and advise people how to protect their property from termite infestation and timber damage. The Company's commitment led them to devise termEsafe, their own Termite Management Program. The program consists of the following.
Termite Inspection Report. Complying with AS 3660.2-2000
Termite Chemical Treatment under and around the building
Inspect and report on termite damaged timber and live termites in and around the building. Termite detection eguipment using Termatrac, Tramex Moisture meter and Tap Sounding techniques.
Inspect and test trees and stumps for possible termite nests.
Temperature check trees by using a drill and monitoring probe up to 50 metres from your building.
Eradicate live termites by local treatment and/or applying 'TermEsafe' baits to live termites as part of a treatment program.
Discuss and advise on the various treatment options available for termite treatment, including TermEsafe termite baiting and chemical soil treatments.
All inspections carried out to the Australian Standards AS 3660.2- 2000
Chemical Treated Zones
In line with AS 3660 and AS 3660.2 Termite Management Standards, Termiticide (Premise 200SC, Termidor or Biflex) is applied by Exopest to the soil under and around the walls of the premises.
Treated zones allow termite entry through the treated soil around the structure of the building. Termites unknowingly pick up the chemical in the soil as they enter the stucture to feed on the timber above ground.
Exopest recommends the use of Environmentally friendly products for termite control, such as Premise and Termidor for existing timber floor houses and Biflex for New Homes under the concrete slab.
Premise is a water-solvent based (no odour) formulation of 'Imidacloprid'. Termidor is the most recent termite product in Australia and is based on the active ingredient 'Fipronil', also non- solvent based with no odours. Biflex is a synthetic pyrethrin product with long term residual protection, based on Bifenthrin as the active.
Termite Interception and Baiting System
Insect Growth Regulators (IGR's) have long been used in the agricultural Industry and now are availalble for termite control. Basically IGR's regulate the growth of the target insect by interferring with their maturity and growth. Termites grow by shedding their skin, called moulting. If this process can be interferred with then we have a biological way of eradicating termite nests. Exopest feed the termites a cellulose food base containing an IGR.
termEsafe is our termite baiting system
termEsafe starts with a termite inspection to the property and where live termites are found we attach a feed station filled with the hormone bait.
Bait stations are serviced every 3 to 5 weeks and normally after 3 to 4 follow up visits feeding has stopped and the termite colony is dead.
In ground termite monitoring stations are also positioned around the building to intercept termites before they enter your home. These in ground stations have a patented attractant actively encouraging termites to come and feed. Once feeding has started in the station the special hormone bait is added. In ground stations properly serviced and maintained protect the building from termite attack year after year.
Termite baiting unlike chemical spraying does not use 1000's of litres of water and is very sustainable
Very low impact on the Enviroment, very safe and extremely effective at eradicating termites
Electronic bar coding and reporting ensures servicing is completed on time and accurate records kept.
Naturally Building Out Termites
Exopest recommend good under floor clearance and crawl space. Essential to help protect your home from termites.
A general guideline is that under floor clearance should be greater than 400mm under the floor bearer which allows access for a physical inspection and treatment .
Ducted floor heating should be well insulated and the ducts not touching the ground.
Exopest also recommend slab penetrations are protected with termite collars. A penetration is where plumbing pipes go through the concrete slab under the Bath, Shower, Vanity etc.
Particular areas to watch are those under the shower base or bath. These are often hidden termite entry points. Any moisture from water seepage or leaking tiles naturally attract foraging termites.
Garden sleepers and inground timber should be well away from the house or removed entirely
Timber sleeper retaining walls should be replaced with non susceptible products, like masonary or treated pine.
A well ventilated subfloor under the property. Old Terra Cotta vents should be replaced with more efficient Aleta vents or Solar Envirofans.(See subfloor ventilation pages on Exopest web site). Moisture is the number one attractant for termites. Improve under floor ventilation to maximize protection.
Soil and Paving levels should be below the slab edge and not covering the weep hole in the brick work
Soil Levels around homes with timber suspended floors should also be kept well below the floor level allowing adequate air flow to the subfloor.
Timber offcuts, Building material and other items should all be removed from under the home. Termites eat any item containing Cellulose (Cardboard, Paper, Plastic, Timber, etc).
Down pipes, spouting and drainage should all be in good repair and working efficiently. 'Agi' pipes and extra drainage may be needed for damp areas around the home.
Regular termite inspections (every 12 mths) will greatly reduce timber damage and expensive repair costs by catching the termites early on in their feeding.
Remove all timber form work used during the building process and leave no consealed timbers hidden under soil.
If timber stumps are used for an extension or for a new building ensure HomeGuard termite caps are installed between the floor bearer and the stump to prevent concealed termite entry and assist in termite inspection. HomeGuard is a registered termite barrier.