The hidden pest highways
The three areas most homeowners never think about — the subfloor, the roof void and the weep holes — are the most important for pest prevention. These are the hidden highways that pests use to enter and travel through your home. Maintaining them properly is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce pest risk.
Subfloor maintenance
If your home has a raised timber floor, the subfloor is your first line of defence against termites, rodents and spiders. A damp, poorly ventilated subfloor is an open invitation to pests.
- 1Ensure all subfloor vents are clear and unobstructed — don't block them with stored items, garden beds or paving
- 2Check for and fix any plumbing leaks — even slow drips create damp conditions termites love
- 3Improve drainage if water pools under the house after rain
- 4Remove any stored timber, cardboard or building materials from the subfloor
- 5Consider installing a moisture barrier (heavy-duty polythene on the ground) if dampness is persistent
- 6Check for and seal any gaps where pipes enter the floor from the subfloor
- 7Never store firewood under the house
Roof void maintenance
The roof void is prime real estate for rodents, possums, birds and wasps. It's warm, dark, undisturbed and close to your living areas. Most homeowners never look in their roof until they hear something moving around at night.
- 1Check the roof void twice a year for signs of activity — droppings, nesting material, gnawed wiring
- 2Seal any gaps in the eaves, roofline or where pipes enter the roof space
- 3Check that roof tiles and ridge capping are intact — gaps allow rodents and birds to enter
- 4Ensure whirlybirds and roof vents are screened
- 5Don't store cardboard boxes in the roof — they attract silverfish and rodents and provide nesting material
- 6Check for possum entry points — possums can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps in the roofline
Weep hole maintenance
Weep holes are the gaps left in brick veneer walls above slab level and above window and door openings. They allow moisture to escape from the wall cavity — but they also allow termites and other pests to enter. They must remain clear but protected.
- 1Never fill weep holes with silicone, mortar or any material — this traps moisture and causes structural damage
- 2Keep soil, mulch and garden beds at least 75mm below the weep hole line
- 3Don't build paving or concrete paths above the weep hole level
- 4Ensure weep holes aren't blocked by vegetation, stored items or debris
- 5Consider installing stainless steel weep hole covers — these allow ventilation but block pest entry
Weep holes covered by garden beds or paving are the #1 cause of concealed termite entry in brick veneer homes. If your weep holes are below ground level, fix this immediately — it's a serious termite risk.