The Real Story About Termite Damage in Australia & How Much it Costs
$1,500,000,000.00 (One and a Half Billion Dollars – Estimated)
The Australian Institute of Architects reported on their Archicentre website in about 2006 that 130,000 Australian homes were attacked in a year. The average termite cost for the professional pest manager to treat the pest was about $2,500 and the average cost of repairs was $4,500, a total average of $7,000. Multiplied by 130,000 homes is close to $1bn… a year!
That was a few years ago and the cost of both professional pest control, tradesmen and building materials has pushed the figure up to around $1.5bn a year — because the termite attack rate is not slackening.
Once termites are discovered in a home, it can be difficult to determine how long the colony has been established in the home. Typically, colonies take more than four or five years to get to a size capable of causing damage, in perfect conditions however this could be as short as two years before flying termites are noticed.
Anecdotal Examples of Termite Damage Costs (True Events)
The person who spent over $70,000 on his suburban home due to a termite attack.
There was the cost of the professional treatment which also included re-applying chemical barriers as well as monitors plus the removal and rebuilding of the kitchen and adjoining rooms.
But, because it seemed the smart thing to do, they improved the kitchen and bought new appliances.
He refinanced the house to pay for all this so you can add the extra interest added over the next 10-20 years to get a true figure approaching $100,000.
Another person found termites in a window frame and adjoining door frame.
He bought our Colony Killer Termite Bait and fed it to the termites to kill the colony.
When the baiting was completed and the colony dead, he bought some new timber framing and replaced the damage and a can of paint, about $100.
He then purchased the TermiTrap monitors to place around outside to intercept any other developing colonies bringing the total to about $600.
He was lucky (and sensible)!
There is Another Significant Cost of Termite Damage:
Loss of resale value
If termites or even old termite damage is discovered during the timber pest inspection (which is generally mandatory if a purchase is being financed) potential buyers will either walk away or offer thousands less.
What Does Termite Prevention Cost You?
If You Do Your Own Termite Inspections
And use monitors to intercept termites while they are still outside, you are up for:
- The cost of the monitors amortised over their life say $50 a year. (Termitraps have a life of about 10 years)
- The cost of termite bait, if termites find and attack your monitors, say another $20-$40 a year, depending on the termite challenges in your neighbourhood.
- The cost of a new torch battery is maybe $5
Total: for less than $100 a year and the time it takes you to check the monitors and does a twice-yearly inspection. (you nominate the value of your time).
If You Get a Professional
you are up for:
- The termite inspection of the home is $200- $300 each year
- The cost of them inspecting monitors the place for you say $600-$900 a year
- The initial cost of installing monitors amortised over 5 years say $500 a year
Total: Say $1300- $1500 a year
Termites are out there Looking to Cause Damage and Cost You Thousands.
Termites are constantly looking for new food sources and if they can cross a barrier to get inside, all the bits of wood in a house join up and they will eat until you notice their presence.
Instead of gambling your house (and financial security) with sneaky termites, doesn’t it make sense to put in some monitors and learn how to inspect your house twice a year?
The information on DIY termite treatments is readily available so you can do a proper job, safely. You can easily learn to do as good a job as most professionals, after all, it is your home and you’ll be very diligent — won’t you?
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