Those don't look like trees in Victoria BC. Are you in South Africa? I'm wondering why you built it off the ground. Termites?
Victoria, Australia, Yea, termites. They're all over the place here. Im looking into other options for further protection from them as well.
We've been living in a very humble setup on the block while job and permits all were sorted. Its off grid as well and has been a great learning experience.
Had a tree that was covered in mistletoe which was killing it, so I cut it back. Got 5m3 (1.4 cord) of wood out of it.
Specs on those look pretty good, just try and keep your discharges above the 20% state of charge area! However, given that your battery room is outside the house, you might be able to use a lead acid battery in place of those. My VRLA battery option for forklifts that I sell is WAY more money than my lead acid. You would just need to water the batteries regularly instead of pretty much hands off on the VRLA. In our applications, VRLA usually lasts 3-4 years, while lead acid is 6-7 when properly cared for. Less money, and longer service life.
I don’t know if you have access to it Down Under, but I suggest Termidor. It is fantastic stuff, with study after study that prove it works. It’s liquid, and poured directly against/next to your foundation, or in your case the posts. It stays in the soil, upwards of 20 years according to the USDA (Dept. of Agriculture), offering great protection against termites. It used to only be available through professional pest control companies, but in the last year or so you can purchase it directly. Really enjoying your progress on the house, and being independent from the government is an added bonus!
Thanks heaps for the advice. Im more than happy to keep on top of battery maintenance, so that sounds like a good option.
I know you can pay companies to spray some chemical under your house for protection. Might be the same chemical. I've also seen a system where they put bait stations buried around your house to control them.
Probably the same liquid. There’s a formula for how many gallons to x-amount of linear feet, and it is great stuff. It doesn’t evaporate away or drain away, but stays put. It was only available commercially until recent, and you can do it yourself now. The only issue with a bait station is that termites are a blind organism, and bait stations are set up every 15-20 feet, so the possibility that they go right past is pretty good. When you check the bait stations and find termites, you can be pretty sure that you have some at the house, too...
I cannot exactly recall, but I don't think the actual Termidor formula comes in bait form. Also I was told the bait stations are more of a band aid compared to Termidor and its a years/decades long maintenance. In our non-Termidor bait stations, a couple we have refilled twice and a couple others have not been touched. Between what I learned from you, and then further research, it really seems like the right way to go.
Nice place Entropic ... hope you can find a way to eliminate the termites... you've worked too hard to have those little bastages knawing on it... good luck...
Welcome Entropic great looking place. What are your plans to keep other critters from underneath the house, particularly snakes and spiders? Termites there are the equivalent of mosquitoes in the eastern USA, you are going to have them!
The bigger issue is bushfires. I'll be cladding the stumps with more Colourbond to keep any grass fire's from getting under the house, hopefully that will keep the snakes out of there, but snakes and spiders are a part of life down here.
I'll make sure I get it sorted before I cover the stumps. Any idea if it will harm pets if they have access under the house?
I have had it applied at 2 of my previous homes that fall under “termite heavy” areas. I had a pest company do the application, and the warning was, keep pets/people away from the application site until it dries. The way it was applied is one guy dug a 6inch deep or so trench around the perimeter of the house with a pick, and then the other guy applied the Termidor with a hose off the tank on his truck. When they were done, they covered the trench back up, and said to give it a few hours before letting the dogs out into the backyard. I’m attaching a link off of google, with the caution label. https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/ppls/007969-00210-20150429.pdf
