Termites
& Borers
Homeowner's Guide to Detection & Control
by Phillip Hadlington & Christine Marsden
Revised Edition
(Australian
Publication)
Softcover
180 x 245mm
53pp
Published by the University of NSW Press Ltd, Sydney NSW.
R.R.P.$19.90
ISBN 0-86840-600-7
As reviewed in House & HOME Issue 37
Termites and Borers: A Homeowner's Guide to Detection and Control is a book no homeowner in Australia can ignore.
It is described as being designed to give the average homeowner the knowledge required, to make informed decisions regarding appropriate solutions for pest problems encountered in the home.
It's more than just a tale of horrors. In it, the reader will find useful information about termite biology and habits. Termites and Borers details both the methods of entry and means of detection, providing common signs the homeowner can use to maintain a vigil on an ongoing basis.
The text reviews the major species found across Australia, with photographs of the various caste members (the colonies have a class system) and their identifying features. However, the reader is encouraged to send termite samples to a testing authority for accurate identification, so that any eventual treatment can be tailored to suit the habits of that particular species.
Long term prevention methods are outlined, including chemical barriers - which need to be passed completely through the soil - and physical barriers, such as graded stone and metal mesh.
Involving surrounding properties in the process is important, especially if a nest is affecting more than one home (more likely in dense urban areas). The book contains a sample survey sheet which can be used to set up a Termite Watch group in the neighbourhood, because a co-ordinated attempt at eradication will be more effective than any individual treatments.
As the title suggests, the book also includes information on borers, powderpost beetles and furniture beetles, as well as fungal decay and defibration.
Overall, the information is not designed for the homeowner to go out and solve the problem themselves, as in most case the materials required for effective treatment are not available to unlicensed individuals. It will show the reader how to make an informed decision, ask relevant questions, understand what the treatment involves and take action hopefully before there is major damage.
A little note of caution. This book does contain horrifying images. The photographs of the damage done by termites will make most homeowners want to drop everything to check every nook and cranny of the house for signs of a potential invasion. One photograph in particular, showing the damage inflicted on a broom closet over the course of a week, should prompt a sense of urgency in even the most complacent. It might even convince some homeowners of the need to take action which has long been avoided.
Photos: Colour
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Termite
biology and habits
Termite castes
Behavioural patterns
Termite
pest species
Nesting sites
Protecting
Your Home
Design
Physical barriers
Chemical barriers
Monitors
and treatment devices
Inspecting
for Termites
What homeowners can do
What the professionals can do
Exclusions
Three
different professional inspections
Repairs and undiscovered damage
What
to do if Termites are found
The homeowner
Treatment options
Comparing
proposals
FAQS on Termites
Borers
Pinhole
borers
Powderdust beetles
Furniture beetles
European house borers
Wood decay and defibration
Index