PESTS
A range of pests can damage heritage buildings. Birds, mice or rats may nest in buildings. Insects such as borers and termites can damage timber.
Maintenance principles DO
– Clean and clear gutters and underfloor areas and address damp (see page 30) to help deter pests – Maintain gardens and inspect older trees to assist with termite control – Check for signs of insects. Borers leave small flight holes in timber. Signs of termite infestation might include: • mud tubes from the ground to timber stumps or frames • movement of timber elements such as architraves, or mouldings • signs of mud tracking appearing from cracks in plastered walls • timber that sounds hollow when tapped • rippling in the surface of painted or polished timber • feeling of ‘give’ in floors that previously felt firm – Engage an experienced pest control contractor to inspect and treat pest infestations Learn more Department for Environment and Heritage, Maintenance and repair of older buildings, Technical note 3.1, 2008, available at environment.sa.gov.au/files/sharedassets/ public/heritage/tech_note3_1.pdf
Termites can build mud tubes around a barrier from a timber stump to a frame. (Source: CSIRO Forestry and Forest Products)
MAINTAINING YOUR HERITAGE PROPERTY
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