Termites

If you are building a home or renovating, the builder is responsible for providing a termite risk management (TRM) system for the work.

If you're building a new house, you should research your options for materials to help minimise the attraction of termites, borers and rot.

TRM systems differ depending on whether your home is built on:

  • a concrete slab-on-ground or
  • a raised (or suspended) floor.

Termite risk can be minimised when an effective TRM system is in place and you carry out regular checks. Systems that can be used include:

  • chemical barriers
  • physical barriers
  • termite resistant materials
  • minimum termite risk construction
  • landscape considerations.

IMPORTANT – Be aware that some building contracts may try to shift the builder’s liability for installing an appropriate TRM system to the owner.

More information

Australian Consumers’ Association for information on termite treatments

57 Carrington Road

Marrickville NSW 2204

Free call: Australia 1800 069 552

How to recognise and manage termites

Australian Environmental Pest Management Association

Unit 6 12 Navigator Place

Hendra QLD 4011

Tel: 1300 307 114 or 07 3268 4210

www.aepma.com.au

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) for information on pesticides

18 Wormald Street

Symonston ACT 2609

Tel: 6210 4701

www.apvma.gov.au

Office of Local Government

5 O’Keefe Avenue

Nowra NSW 2541

Tel: 024428 4100

www.odlg.nsw.gov.au

Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) for information on termite risk management

Level 11, 10-16 Queen Street,

Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia

Telephone: +61 3 9927 3200

www.fwpa.com.au

National Association of Steel-Framed Housing (NASH)for information about, and suppliers of, steel frames

PO Box 1085

Hartwell VIC 3124

Freecall 1800 656 986

www.nash.asn.au

NSW Department of Primary Industries for information on termites

161 Kite Street

Orange NSW 2800

Tel: 6391 3100

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Department of Health for information about available treatments and hazards for termite protection

Therapeutic Goods Administration

PO Box 100

Woden ACT 2606

Info line 1800 020 653:

www.tga.gov.au

Timber Development Association (NSW) for information about termites including risk management

Unit 9 281 Pacific Highway North Sydney NSW 2060

Email: [email protected]

www.tdansw.asn.au

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