The little critters no-one wants around!
When buying a cabin, onsite van, tiny house or equivalent, it is important to inspect the asset for termites. These little critters love to destroy decks, stumps, framing and can leave you with a huge mess to clean up and rebuild.
To have your cabin inspected, you can arrange for a local pest inspector to review the asset before purchase, this will give you peace of mind and a plan to troubleshoot any termite damage if found.
When it comes to reducing the risks of termites eating away your asset, here are a few tips:
- Ensure your cabin is installed correctly on concrete footings. Placing any timber structure directly on to the soil increases your chance of termite infestation.
- When building, use treated timber or even better, a steel frame.
- Make sure your relocatable asset is built on a steel chassis.
- Don’t be afraid to spray your site for termites before the new cabin installation and throughout your time on the site. If your cabin is in a park, be sure to get permission from the park prior to spraying.
- Reduce damp around the cabin. Ensure there is adequate ventilation and air flow under the cabin and that the storm water is connected adequately and is removing the roof drainage from the site, not accumulating under the cabin.
- Don’t leave fire wood lying around the cabin or stacked up against the cabin, this is an invitation for termites.
- If you are in a termite prone area, a bait station may assist as the termites are attracted to the bait station and hopefully not your cabin.
On a positive note, when treated correctly, termites can be eradicated and controlled. The key is to buy your next asset informed, and to know exactly what you are buying.
