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Advice · Termite Inspections

How to prevent termites in your home

You can't make a home completely termite-proof, but you can make it far less attractive to them. The big levers are simple: control moisture, keep timber and mulch away from the structure, and inspect every year. In bush-fringe Shire suburbs, prevention matters even more.

Control moisture — the number one factor

Termites are drawn to damp. Fix leaking taps and pipes, keep gutters and downpipes clear so water drains away from the house, improve subfloor ventilation, and sort any drainage that pools against the foundation. A dry perimeter is your best defence.

Break the timber-to-soil contact

Don't store firewood, timber offcuts or cardboard against the house. Keep garden beds, mulch and woodchips back from the walls, remove old tree stumps, and leave a clear, visible zone around the base of the house so activity has nowhere to hide.

Watch the high-risk spots

Timber decks, pergolas, fences and retaining walls, anywhere garden meets brickwork, and the subfloor are the usual entry points. Bush-fringe homes in Menai and Engadine face constant pressure from the reserve edge.

Keep your termite system intact

If your home has a termite management system — a physical or chemical barrier — don't breach it with new paths, gardens or renovations without advice, or you can open a path straight in.

Inspect yearly — prevention's backstop

Even a well-maintained home can get termites. An annual professional inspection catches anything that slips through your prevention, before it becomes structural damage.

FAQs

Can you completely termite-proof a house?

No, but you can dramatically lower the risk by controlling moisture, keeping timber away from the structure, and inspecting annually.

Does mulch attract termites?

Mulch and woodchips piled against the house hold moisture and can attract termites. Keep them back from the walls and use them in moderation near the structure.

What's the single most important thing to prevent termites?

Controlling moisture. Fix leaks and drainage so the area around and under your home stays dry.

More advice:

Worried about termites or buying a home in the Shire? Book a timber-pest inspection today.

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