Termites Q Are white ants the same as termites? A No. Ants are no relation to termites and in fact, there is no such thing as a white ant. Termites have been incorrectly referred to as white ants purely by the colour of their bodies and similar looking to an ant. Q How quickly can termites eat my house? A There are many variables involved in how much damage termites can cause to a home. It is possible however that some species of termites can eat a room of your home in a few months. Q If I have termites in my yard will they eat my house? A It is possible for termites to travel 100 metres or more to access a food source such as your home. It is therefore a necessity to have a termite inspection carried out to your home if you discover termites in your yard, followed by a preventative program. Q My neighbour has had termites treated in their house, will they travel to my house? A Yes, it is possible that if your neighbour has had a termite treatment carried out the termites can be moved on to your home. Q Are non toxic termite treatments effective? A Most definitely. We regard them to be the leaders in termite control technology. Q Do I need to have routine termite inspections if I keep an eye on the house myself? A Yes, we highly recommend that an annual inspection be carried out as per the Australian Standard as it takes a highly trained eye with the use of instruments such as moisture metres to detect termite activity. Q What can I do to assist in the prevention of termite control? A When a termite inspection is conducted you will be supplied with a report that lists recommendations to reduce the risk of termite attack. These could be poor drainage, timbers in contact with the ground, leaks in plumbing etc. These are called conducive conditions and should be rectified. Q Is my suburb susceptible to termite attack? A Termites can strike anywhere and at any time throughout South Australia. Q My house is built on a concrete slab so I'm safe right? A Wrong. Concrete slab constructed homes are regarded at very high risk of termite attack due to the termites entry points being concealed and are usually discovered by the home owner. Miscellaneous Q Does my home and contents insurance cover pest damage? A No. Most policies do not cover pest damage such as termite or rodent damage and timber replacement. Q Are possums a protected species? A Yes, under the SA Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Q Can I trap and remove possums from my house and let them go elsewhere? A No, it is illegal to relocate a possum more than 50 metres from where they are caught. You can be fined under the SA Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 if caught doing so. Q Will rats or possums cause any damage if they are living in my ceiling? A Yes, rats and possums can chew on wiring causing electrical damage and fires. Their urine and faeces can stain ceilings and walls.