Termites (white ants)

 What are termites?

Termites (also known as subterranean termites) are a group of social ant-like insects. They consist of three groups, workers, soldiers & reproductives.

Termites thrive in damp conditions & feed on rotting plant material such as  wood & are capable of causing immeasurable damage to homes.

Subterranean termites live in colonies underground. They thrive in moist conditions & will die if they dry out.

What do termites look like?

• Worker termites (see image above) are white/grey in colour, wingless & around 3/8 to 5/8  inch long.

• Soldier termites are similar in appearance to workers but have a yellowish/brown head with large mandibles (jaws).

• Reproductives (swarmers) may be winged or wingless. Winged reproductives are similar in appearance to flying ants but with a thick waist, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.

How do I know if I have termites?

Signs of termites include;

• Mud tubes protruding from hidden areas such as foundations, skirting boards, ceiling cavities, crawl spaces etc.

• If the house is quiet, you may actually hear them.

• You may see termites inside your home.

• Damaged wood has a blistered/laminated appearance.

What kind of damage can termites do?

Under favourable conditions, termites can destroy a home within a few short months. Not only can they destroy timber, but they will also feed on paper, cardboard & other cellulose materials.

Left unchecked, termites can hollow out timber frames in your home leading to major structural damage. This can lead to a repair bill of tens of thousands of dollars.

Termite treatment:

If your home is found to have termites, a professional should be called in to deal with the problem.

There are three different types of treatment used by pest control specialists.

• Baits: These are placed in the ground at various stations & a non treated timber introduced to  attract termites. If termite activity occurs, a slow acting poison is then introduced. The  termites will return to the nest & poison the rest of the colony.

• Chemical soil treatments: Soil around the house is treated to create a constant barrier against termite entry.

• Wood treatments: Wood is treated to prevent termite infestation.

If the nest has been located, destroy it.

Repair damaged timber.

How can I prevent termites?

• Termite inspections by a qualified pest control company should be carried out regularly (at least once a year, twice a year in warmer areas). Follow any recommendations the pest control company give you.

• Don't store anything such as firewood or building materials against outside walls.

• If you are building, use termite resistant timber.

• Avoid the use of timber sleepers as retaining walls.

• If possible remove old tree stumps from around the building.

• Termite barriers. These are designed to prevent hidden entry of termites. There are several types of termite barriers available on the market.

• Termites require moisture. Fix any leaking pipes & drains.

• Ensure you have good sub-floor cross ventilation.

• Don't have garden beds coming into contact with your house.

• Don't use wood mulch on garden beds close to the house.

• Ensure weep holes aren't covered up.

If you suspect you may have termites it is vital that you seek professional help from a licensed pest controller.