Just about all termite-related articles begin by stating that they are every homeowner's worst nightmare. These articles might just be stating the obvious, given their propensity for eating through wood and inflicting significant damage.

Termites can be quite tiny. However, they are more than capable of tearing through wood quickly. Imagine having a colony of thousands, if not millions, of termites with an insatiable appetite for wood inside your home or business venue, even though they may not seem like a cause for alarm.

In addition to the actual termite infestation, this pest can seriously harm a building's structural integrity. They include destroying bookbindings, furniture, and even home foundations. Along with posing risks to your family or business's health and safety, it can also lower the value of your property.

Termite infestations are regrettably a major issue in Singapore. Termites are largely active all year long because of the warm, humid climate in the city. Poor ventilation and water leaks, both of which can produce moisture that attracts termites, can increase the likelihood of an infestation.

Worse yet, this pest can work silently, devouring everything in its path from the inside out. Before you even realise our home or business is infested, they may have already done serious damage to you. These serve to further highlight the seriousness of a termite infestation and the need for prompt assistance from Singapore's termite pest control experts. If not, you might have to spend thousands of dollars on damage and repairs.

 

What Are The Costs Of Termite Damage?

Each year in America, termites cost more than USD 5 billion in property repairs and damage. To fix the damage, the typical home or business owner would spend about USD $3,000. The annual cost of termite control can reach $1 billion USD. (National Pest Management Association) 

Unfortunately, most of this expense is typically not covered by insurance plans. As a result, a termite infestation is more destructive than a fire. 

In Singapore, 1.2 million HDB units, 210,000 condominium and apartment units, and over 72,000 landed homes are all at risk from such destruction. These statistics are an excellent way to prompt homeowners to take the necessary precautions to safeguard their investments from potentially expensive damages. Termites are frequently discovered after it is too late. As a result, we always suggest to our clients do a regular termite inspection.

 

Three Typical Termite Types In Singapore

Subterranean Termites

These particular termites can number up to 2 million in a colony and are found underground as well as in remote, moist areas above ground. Each can grow to an inch in length, and to reach their food sources, which include anything that contains cellulose, such as wood, paper, drywall, etc., they travel along mud tubes that typically run wherever wood meets the ground.

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites do not require contact with the soil for moisture, in contrast to subterranean termites. Instead, they dig a nest inside the wood and occupy it. They are frequently found in dry wood, including furniture and other interior woodwork as well as walls, sidings, door frames, kitchen cabinets, and eaves.

Dampwood Termites

The term "dampwood termite" refers to termites that live in damp, frequently decaying wood that is found on the ground. In addition, they might consume other cellulose materials like furniture and utility poles with a lot of moisture. These termite species are caste-based, like the majority of termites, with each member trained to carry out a particular task. They are divided into three castes in colonies: the reproductives (king, queen, alates/swarmers), the soldiers, and the workers.

 

How To Spot Termite Infestations

It will be difficult to see termites because they are well-hidden in the wood they are eating. That does not imply that they leave no evidence behind, though. The following are some termite infestation warning signs that you should watch out for.

• Damaged wood
• Discarded wings
• Mud tubes
• Brown fecal pellets
• Hollow-sounding wood
• Tapping noises
• Actual termites

 

The Problem With Termites

As a NEA-certified pest control company, we have seen termites to be among the most destructive pests in existence in Singapore. While a single termite may not be as visually alarming, the fact that this pest thrives in colonies and is active around the clock presents a problem. A group of 60,000 termites is thought to have the capacity to consume a foot-long 2x4 wood beam in just five months.

Also that a new colony could easily have 100,000 workers makes the situation worse. If they are working in favourable conditions, they can have up to 2 million termites ready to destroy a house in a year or two as it ages. In addition to these, there are more reasons why it's important to spot a termite infestation in its early stages.

 

Why Early Detection Of Termites Is A Must

Structural Damage

Structure-related damage is the termites' most obvious problem. They can easily cause extensive damage to your home and business, even to the point where it becomes unfit for habitation or operations, given their capacity to rip through the structure —its beams, foundation, ceiling, etc.

Safety Concerns

Termites can gnaw through electrical wiring and cables in addition to wood in their pursuit for more cellulose. Damage to these cables and wires increases the possibility of short circuits, which among other electrical accidents can result in fires.

Unsightly Damage

A termite infestation can jeopardise your home or business's structural stability and safety, but it can also result in cosmetic damage that can be expensive to fix, such as peeling paint, wood rot, hollowed-out grooves, and mud tubes growing on the wall.

Costs in Damage & Repairs

Even though termites are tiny, the harm they can do is severe and expensive. The price to replace a termite-damaged door frame could reach $950, but that's just the beginning; after a termite infestation, you'll probably need to replace more things in your house or business venue.

Health Hazards

Numerous health problems, such as allergies, asthma, and fungal infections, can be brought on by mould. How does that relate to termites? Some termites prefer dark, moist environments where mould grows. Termites consume the wood and scurry through it while spreading mould. This has the potential to become airborne, endangering everyone's health.

Continuous Infestation

Termites can move in all directions along the tube, including sideways, as they search for food in the soil. Thus, it would not be unexpected if termites spread around your home or business premises. The likelihood that your neighbours will develop a termite infestation may be higher or lower depending on whether you live in a clustered landed home or shop houses.

 

How To Professionally Get Rid Of Termites

The effectiveness of termite treatment in Singapore depends on knowledge of building construction, termite hotspots and behaviour, and the use of pest control chemicals and equipment. At PestWerkz, our termite control specialists have years of experience in the field and training in the use of specialised tools and active ingredients to eliminate an existing termite problem. Additionally, they eliminate the difficulties that termite treatment and control would present.

 

The Cost Of Termite Treatment In Singapore

Many Singapore homeowners who want to hire experts to remove pests from their properties are frequently concerned about termite control costs. The price of pest control is influenced by a number of factors. For instance, no reputable pest control company will offer a precise quote without a prior inspection and an accurate site assessment. At PestWerkz, we base our costs on a number of variables. The size of your premise, the severity and extent of the termite infestation, the kind of termites, and even your preferred budget are among them. For instance, dusting is less expensive than baiting.

 

Conclusion

These suggestions can all help prevent pests from becoming a problem in your home and ensure the expansion of your reputable enterprise, whether you use them to implement a regular pest control management programme or if you hire professional termite pest control services.

For your buildings and premises, PestWerkz is an NEA-licensed pest control company in Singapore that offers a variety of cost-effective termite pest control management services and packages to suit your needs. Contact us today to learn more.

Click to check out PestWerkz pest control prices and packages for F&B.

 

 

- Work Cited -

National Pest Management Association. “Infographics On Pest Damage.” NPMA Fact Sheet 2021,

https://npmapestworld.org/default/assets/file/publicpolicy/npma%20fact%20sheet%202021.pdf

Accessed 31 January 2023

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