#14456
Sir Humphrey
Strataguru

    FlatChatFan said:

    Thanks for culling the advertisements and promotions Jimmy.

    My partner did a TAFE course for pest “control” and said that basically things that actually kill termites, etc. are toxic for humans and pets as well.

    The important thing is to try to keep the little pests out of a property and not put out a 'welcome mat' for them.

    Make sure ventilation spaces are open, keep soil and vegetation away from boundary walls, dry out damp areas, or even better, don't let places get wet that were not designed to be that way.

    For ordinary houses a termite barrier can be dug around the property but urban high rise is another matter.

    Nothing is perfect.

     

    Yes and no. I have some background in this area as a biochemist who has generally worked with insects. Some termite toxins are very specific to aspects of their biochemistry that vertebrates just don't do. Other insecticides are more general. Either should be handled with caution just in case but there really is some very clever targeted chemistry. One example is a toxin that inhibits the formation of chitin, the major component of the rigid exoskeleton of arthropods (insects, spiders, crustaceans) but it not used by vertebrates at all. 

    On the other hand I agree that the best precaution is to fix up any leaking shower recesses and pipes, ensure subfloor spaces are well ventilated, scraps of wood left by builders are tidied up etc. Inspect regularly.