What is the Best Termite Strategy?

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Termites are very prevalent on Mainland Australia. While they are found everywhere, they’re most common within 100km of the coast which coincides with the vast majority of our urban areas. Experts say that more than one third of all properties in our urban areas have termites present somewhere on that land and that at some stage or other, as many as half the properties will have termite activity inside the homes.

The risk of termite damage inside your property is relatively high and the damage bill can start under $1000 but easily exceed $10,000 if there is structural damage.

So what is the best way to protect your property?

Think of your termite control strategy as an insurance policy

Whether you need to protect your own home (primary place of residence or PPOR) or your IP (investment Property), you’ll need to decide the level of risk mitigation you want to take in relation to termites. The best way to do it is think of your options as different levels of insurance policy. If you go naked you save money by not having to pay for an insurance policy but the risk the most in terms of costs if you do get an infestation. Like insurance policies, the higher the premium you pay reduces the risk of termite damage.

There’s three strategies you need to consider

• No strategy. This will cost you nothing but it is a considerable risk. You might not get termites in your property just as a person who goes without motor vehicle insurance doesn’t crash their car. You save money and potentially think that if you do come unstuck you can attribute those savings to repairs. The first problem with this is that it’s unlikely you have been squirreling that money away in a jar or under a matrass ready for such an occasion so you’re probably going to have to find a lump sum from somewhere. The bigger problem (by far) is that if you go naked you risk having structural damaging because termites are very stealthy insects that won’t let you know they’re devouring your house. The risk in not having a termite strategy is just not worth the risk.
• Annual Inspection strategy. This is the have a bet each way strategy. It doesn’t reduce your chances of a termite infestation but if you do get termites inside your home they will most likely be identified before any structural damage happens. This is an insurance policy that protects you against that worst case scenario structural damage that could cost tens of thousands of dollars and drastically reduce the value of your home. This strategy should be your bare minimum strategy.
• Preventative strategy. This is your comprehensive policy. You pay the higher premium but you guarantee yourself against a termite infestation. It typically work by your pest control agent installing a chemical barrier around your home. The barrier is a once of cost but you will usually need to have it refilled annually which would typically cost the same as an annual inspection. If it’s for your own home then it’s a good safeguard not only against repair cost if you do end up getting termite damage, but also the inconvenience of having repairs done. If it’s for an investment property then you use it as a tax deduction and you don’t have to worry about getting any termite damage. This would be the recommended strategy.

If your home or investment property is at risk to termites then call us at Sunshine Coast Pest for an obligation free chat.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://sunshinecoastpest.com.au/quote/” button_text=”GET QUOTE NOW” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.6.6″ _module_preset=”default”][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]