Termites are a problem in Australia, more so in Sydney. You may not know this, but there are termite-prone residential zones in Sydney, and if your house is located in such a zone, then you should be getting regular inspections. Also, if you are buying a new home in Sydney, then you have to run a check to ensure the previous owner has combated any termite problems; otherwise it will become your even bigger problem.

The fact of the matter is that you need to have pest control in your home in Sydney no matter if you own a home or if you are paying rent. Here are 10 termite facts that you must know, especially if you think you don't need to take any precautionary action.

1. Australia is seeing an increase in the termite menace and the financial damages are astronomical. Millions of dollars are lost by Australians every year due to damage by termites.

2. An average 20% of homes in Australia received damage due to termites. There are an estimated 130,000 new termite attacks on an annual basis.

3. Flood, fire and storms are bad, however the loss realized from termite damage is 5 times that of the other three hazards combined.

4. The most notorious termite species present in Sydney are Coptotermes Acinaciformis (subterranean) and Kalotermes (dry wood termites). These termites are robust and known to attack both timber-framed as well as brick-and-steel-framed homes with equal gusto.

5. Termites are known to adapt and they tend to develop a taste for materials that are commonly used in the construction of homes.

6. Termites have appetites that are phenomenal and a single average sized colony can destroy the floor of a room in just about 3 months.

7. Termites do not stop once they have entered your home. Instead they begin to eat things like shoes, clothing, electrical wiring and furniture.

8. If you find termites in your home and attempt to destroy them or their colony, they will come back with more brute force. This is because they live in the soil and can easily dig their way to safer places inside the earth and come back again because they know their source of food is in your home. It is best you leave the job to experts.

9. You may know that you can detect termites yourself by tapping on wood with a screwdriver handle. But you sure don't know that even a mere tapping by a screwdriver handle on infested wood can break the wood. This also disturbs the termites, thus limiting your treatment options.

10. Not just anyone is qualified to treat termites, only those that have experience and have been trained in the specialized area of termites.

Well, the fact is if you have a home or are planning to buy one in Sydney, you need to hire an experienced pest control agency that knows termites like the back of its hands. If you don't, you will compromise on your health and wealth by ignoring or avoiding the problem.