Over the last two weekend (2/09/2017 – 10/9/2017) the home owners in Durbanville, Bellville, Kraaifontuin and Plattekloof areas notices swarms of Flying Termites descending on their properties.
Yes, you heard right…TERMITES!
You can see in the below picture the difference between flying ants and flying termites.
Why should you care about flying termites?
If you see swarms around your home or the termite holes in your paving and around your property, you should take it as a warning sign for 2 potential dangers:
1. You may already have an existing termite problem
2. Your home may be at risk of potential infestations.
The actual termite swarmer’s do not cause the damage. It’s their off-spring which will damage your property once they have landed and started a new colony. Termites can begin to cause significant damage to your home or building within 2 years.
Flying termites are one of the earliest and clearest signs of a termite problem, and they could mean trouble for you and your home.
If you have any termite activity on your property you will not be able to get a Pest Control Compliance Certificate (Wood-destroying Organisms Certificate) for the sale of your property. Lots of people call it a beetle/ insect certificate but it is called a Wood- destroying Organisms Certificate. This includes Wood Beetle, Wood Rot, Damp and Termites.
Timber destroying termites also known as white ants are a home owner’s worst nightmare. They often go unnoticed for years without immediate signs only to be discovered when the damage done is too severe. These termites, however, are not the only ones causing the damage? Various unregistered pest control operators and building contractors can add to the problem by using inadequate and incorrect applied pre-treatment methods. The South African Pest Control Association (SAPCA) regularly receives complains from home owners who have moved into their homes only to find that the ground on which the house is built or structure have not been treated properly. Often this is a result of building contractors not doing the termites pre-treatment, doing the pre-treatment themselves or appointing unregistered pest control operators who act illegally in either using banned chemicals, no applying the correct pre-treatment methods or not qualified to do the termites treatment.
Property owners should insist on proof that the termite proofing was done in accordance with the National Building Regulations.
When selecting a pest control officer to termite-proof your home or to treat a current infestation ensure that he/she complies with the following:
– employed with a licensed pest control company
– in possession of advanced knowledge of construction and home building
– expert knowledge of termite identification and biology
– understanding of the local and state ordinances regarding pest control
– knowledge of the various treatment methods and resources to customize a treatment plan suitable for your development
– awareness of EPA-approved materials and environmental standards
– ability to provide detailed written notes of the preliminary inspection
– confidence in a guarantee of service from a stable company with a reputation for providing effective termite prevention, treatment and control.
– Lastly, be suspicious of ‘cheap pricing’
Termite treatment is dependent on the type of termite that is found at the site and this classification can only be done by a trained technician. The type of termite further varies according to the geographical location of the premises. There are two main categories of termites namely the Subterranean and Dry Wood Termite, which can be found throughout South Africa. Harvester termites are the most common species found in the Western Cape.
Although termites form an important part of our local ecosystem by breaking down dead cellulose material, this can become a serious liability in residential areas, where timber is used in buildings and homes. When termites attack they weaken the timber, which can lead to the collapse of the building.
Ridding a building of termites requires special skills. There is however a few essential tips that home owners can use to lessen the risk of termite infestations. This includes eliminating moisture problems, by repairing leaky faucets and water pipes and removing potential food sources such as firewood and wood stumps around the perimeter of the house.
Termite Treatment Options
You have 2 options. Pre- treatment or Post Treatment. The most cost effective treatment is the pre- treatment. This gets done before the building is build. The post treatment is very expensive and is done after the building is build.
Pre-Treatment
The building contractor must appoint a quilifid and termite registerd pest control company or operator to do the pre-treatment before the building foundations is done in accordance with the National Building Regulations.
Post-Treatment
This is the most expensive termite treatment and depending of the stages of the termite infestation the treatment method will vary.
Trenching and drill and injection see pictures below