Summer doesn’t just bring warmer nights to Frankston. It’s a bit more than just a pleasant change of weather. It’s the perfect scenario for pests to thrive beyond our notice. They only reveal their presence in some pretty big ways once the damage is done. Across Melbourne’s southeast, the heat and humidity that hangs over Port Phillip Bay especially, is basically creating a petri dish for termites, mosquitoes, ants and cockroaches to multiply, and do their thing. For many households searching for pest control Frankston, often it takes a few hot days, a bit of rain, or a build-up of moisture to bring the problem to light. By then, the pests may already have got a foothold and are working behind the scenes to cause all sorts of issues, whether its behind walls, under the floorboards, or in the yard.
Why Summer is the Worst Time for Pests in Frankston?
The fact that Frankston is a coastal town makes it a bit of a pest haven during the summer months. The temperatures soaring past 26 degrees in the Melbourne southeast, and the humidity hanging around Port Phillip Bay makes the conditions just right for all sorts of creepy crawlies, including termites. The Victorian Government has got some data on the conditions that termites love most, its stable moisture and temperatures between 10 and 35 degrees, and that’s exactly what you get in an Aussie summer. As long as the conditions stay damp and warm, the termites just keep on going from strength to strength.
Not to mention that many of the other pests that call Frankston home speed up their reproduction cycles in the warmer weather. That’s why it can feel like the problem just explodes in a few short weeks after a bit of rain or a heatwave. And then of course, there’s the issue of water collecting in all the wrong places, around gutters, foundations, water pipes and other bits of the house. That’s a magnet for pests looking for somewhere to take up residence and start breeding.
The sad fact is, Australia is one of the countries in the world where termite damage is a huge problem. It’s estimated that Australians are out millions of dollars each year when their homes get damaged. What’s worse, the damage is often not covered by home insurance, so that’s just one more thing to worry about once you’ve discovered you’ve got a problem.
The thing is, only a small handful of the over 350 termite species we’ve got in Australia actually cause much damage. The ones that do can be very, very destructive indeed. They can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home before you even know it’s happening.
Moisture Control: Your Best Defence Against Termites
Research time and time again confirms that moisture management is the most effective way to stop termites getting into your home. According to guidelines from the Victorian environment health department, termites need humidity and water to survive. Even a small leaky tap or a blocked gutter can be enough to create a perfect breeding ground for termites beneath your home or inside wall cavities. Plumbing leaks up or blocked gutters on homes with poor subfloor ventilation are consistently a recipe for disaster when it comes to termite activity. A study backed by the CSIRO found that moisture in the subfloor not only causes timber to go bad but also makes it more likely that termites will come poking around your home.
In reality, a leaky pipe under your home can keep a termite colony happy and healthy for years before you even notice there’s a problem. With that in mind, checking your drains before summer kicks in becomes a top priority for Frankston homeowners. Make sure your gutters are free from leaves and debris. Standing water can be a haven for mosquitoes and termites alike. Rainwater tanks need a little attention too. Victorian councils recommend getting in the habit of regularly checking tank screens to keep mosquitoes at bay. Female mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs at a time. Their larvae will be fully grown in just under a week when it’s hot.
And let’s not forget about firewood. Stepping away from your external walls with a big pile of timber is just asking for trouble. It makes it super easy for termites to get in. The Victorian pest guidelines advise keeping inspection gaps visible around slab edges and making sure that any timber you store is well clear of the ground to stop termites sneaking in undetected.
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