Any termite experts?

[PhilipA]

I had my annual pest inspection yesterday , done by Termimesh. I have them done each year as I have 5 Blackbutts in the yard as well as some other Casuarinas. the house has been termite free for the 9 years I have lived in it, although it previously had an infestation and there is evidence of previous flooding around the piers , and a dead nest.

They found termites in a tree that I have poking through my wooden deck about 2 metres from the house.

The tree is a Blackbutt, which has had considerable fire? damage in the past but is healing by closing over the bare wood area with new material.

I have confirmed that the species is Nasutitermes as stated by Termimesh , by looking at images on Google and looking myself. I also have a photo if needed.

There doesn't appear to be a nest in the tree or another tree adjacent or nearby on the ground. There was no activity in the tree about 1-2 months ago when I checked but there are lots of the little bs there now.

The rub is that Termimesh reckon that what is needed is a baiting program at a cost of $1600.!

My Questions are
1 Is this a danger to the house and should it be done immediately?

2 Is baiting the best method and if so is $1600 a fair price?
Regards Philip A

[Corgie Carrier]

It could be a danger to the house if they decide it is tastier than the tree.

I had a bait box fitted here a couple of years ago (110 year old hard wood frame) and it cost me $220 for the initial set up of the bait box and another $60 for each of the refills (2).

So I would get a few more quotes from other pest companies.

But it all comes down to...What is your house worth?

[LandyAndy]

Look into DIY traps.
A mate uses plastic reticulation control boxes buries away from his house,he loads them up with bits of untreated pine and particle board.When he sees termite action he bombs the bait station with some sort of ant killer.When there are no more ants he cleans out the bait station and re-baits.The therory is they take the bait back to the nest and they are attracted away from the house.Hasnt had any ants near the house since he started trapping.
Andrew

[NavyDiver]

Looking at stone barriers (http://granitgard.com.au/) and bait for my place

Idea with the crushed rock is they cannot move it and you can see them if they come over the top.

I brought some timber bait stations and treatment stuff from QLD

The only draw back with the timber DYI traps I found was they rot in the ground here (Melb) needing replacement at about 18 month with out termites.

The bait was 10*10*50cm pine cut square on top with 2 20mm holes drilled on the top down into the bait, The bottom was a wedge, The bait was hammered into the ground. two plugs into the drilled hole which were removed weekly to see if any activity occurred. If so added the poison.

Think it was these in brought (http://termitetrap.com.au/product/termitrap-timber-refills/?gclid=CjwKEAiA7f-yBRDAgdv4jZ-78TwSJAA_WdMahsJzKmNjIJSszXSK2ox5nipofYv3eYZHwTHKy v4J7BoCItPw_wcB) but I make my own now

[DiscoMick]

Sink some ice cream containers into the soil, then fill them with honey/sugar. The ants are attracted to the honey, get into the container, get honey on them and then can't get out and eat each other until they're all dead.

[Chucaro]

Barriers did not worked for me, the termites set up a suicide colony and they eat the barrier and died until a hole was made.
Very careful when the inspector go to your place and check for humidity in the house with the argument that if the place is dried there are not termites.
That it is bull, we have a termite infestation in a dried place.
Do not have garden beds next or in contact to the building, termites will love them as a "working camp" to get in and out of the house.
Do not plant passion fruit next to the building, termites are using the dried branches as tubes to get into the building.
Any plant that have hollow branches when dried are a good tunnel for them.