On 18 Feb 2007 16:18:50 -0800, wrote:

Hi - I have an old wooden fence I pulled down on the weekend to build
a nice shiny colourbond fence. When pulling off the pailings I found
termites. Lots of them. Now I know your not supposed to disturb them
but I had to finish the fence. I just placed all the pailings on the
ground where I removed them.

Now this is a back fence so it's about 30 metres away from the house.
But I'm worried that if I move the old fence pailings to take them to
the tip that I will cause them to move to my house (off the ground on
brick piers with ant caps). To move the pailings I have to carry them
past my house out to the front. Sounds funny but what happens if
termites jump off the pailings when I'm walking past my house. But I
know they cant survive long outside so I might be OK.
Will I be?
I dont really want to burn the old fence because I'll have to wait 4
months until Winter and we have a total fire ban here in Australia.

While I'm at it... theres alot of up and downs, and the cost of
termite protection I dont really have the money for. Can anyone point
me to a "do it yourself" solution? I doubt it but no harm in asking.
I'm not a pro but I'm pretty handy around the house and love getting
my hands dirty. I looked at the hardware store and they've got nothing
to practially protect the house. The only have a diesel mix you pour
around the house.


Black ants kill termites. I just break up termite riddled timber to
let the black ants in and that is the end of the termites.

I think your concerns re house infestation are overblown. You ought
read up more on termites. Australia has termites everywhere. Most
backyards have termites. Most houses aren't eaten out by termites.

Termites need water to survive. They need to build tunnels to get to
water if there is none around the wood they are eating.

Regular visual and physical inspections are your best protection
against termites. If your house has termites you can actually hear
them munching in the quiet of the night.

Ross
(To get email address ROT 13)