Australia has over 350 species of termites, but less than 10 of these species cause almost all of the damage by eating seasoned timbers. The remainder prefer damp, rotting wood or leaf litter and dead grass. Knowing your species is extremely important!
Termites have a huge impact on the Australian economy. These pests cause millions of dollars damage to homes and structures in Sydney annually, making termite control vital.
Unfortunately, only 20% of Australian homes are inspected for the presence of termites.
If your home has termites and you want the most effective termite treatment for termite removal, we can help you make an informed decision.
Difference Between Termites & Ants
| Worker Ant | Worker Termite |
| Elbowed Antennae | Beadlike Antennae |
| Compound eyes present | No eyes |
| Constriction between throrax and abdomen | No constriction between throrax and abdomen |
| Winged Ant | Winged Termite |
| Wings unequal, different in shape and size | Wings equal of similar shape and size |
| Elbowed Antennae | Beadlike Antennae |
| Constriction between throrax and abdomen | No constriction between throrax and abdomen |
What are termites?
Termites are sometimes known as White Ants. They are relatively small in size (4-11mm) and have three distinct body parts, the head, the thorax and abdomen. Each termite colony has a number of castes, soldier, worker, king, queen and reproductive. Each caste has its own duties within the colony, the biggest member being the queen who can exceed 11mm.
Termite Colony?
Worker Caste
Their job is to forage for food, store food, excavating, repairing, building galleries and shelter tubes. Workers are the only caste with the ability to digest the cellulose in wood. If you disturb an active shelter tube or infested log/s these are the caste that you are most likely to see. They are also wingless.
Soldier caste
Their primary job is to defend the colony. Like the worker caste they are made up of sexually immature males and females. Most of them have enlarged jaws that stops them feeding themselves. As a result they rely on the workers to provide them with regurgitated food. Species identification is often by analysing the soldiers heads, mandibles which have distinct characteristics.
Reproductive caste
Reproductives or alates have two pairs of wings that are equal in size, alates have fully functional eyes. They can be mistaken for flying ants, which could turn out to be a serious error. They are very important in establishing new colonies. These are the future kings and queens of new colonies – if or once they become established. When the reproductives are fully winged they are ready to leave the colony (November-December) or (March-April). This becomes the colonizing flight. This occurs during periods of moderate temperatures and high humidity, approximately the same conditions inside the nest, often before or after a storm. After rain, humidity is often assured and the winged termites are less likely to dry out under these conditions.
The colonizing flight usually originates very close to the main nest and in those species with overcrowded colonies a breach is made in the timber, tree or post to allow many thousands of winged (alates) to be discharged. Whilst many alates will die during this process those that survive will be the foundation of a new colony/nest.
Queen
The main function of the queen is reproduction. During the early establishment of the colony, together with the king they tend to the young, until the workers are numerous enough to take over nursery duties, The first form queen lives for over 20 years. They often become distended and enlarged.
King
The original king along with the Queen tends to the young during the early life of the colony. He fertilizes the queen on occasions and is also long lived.
Warning Signs
Termites rarely come to the surface to feed, meaning they live underground. They do not like sunlight. They do like moisture and position themselves near or underneath a food source eg your home. When you do find out that you have termites its probably too late and damage has been done. Apart from regular termite Inspections there are signs that you could be aware of
- Swarmers (reproductives/alates) in or around the house, especially after those warm humid days/nights.
- Mud shelters/tubes on outside walls – from the ground upwards into the house.
- Stray wings left near doors and windows.
- Paint that has started to bubble on wood surfaces. Listen out for a hollow sound when knocked.
- Perhaps you hear them chewing and knocking against wood surface particularly when laying in bed.
- Mud tubes – probably the easiest sign to detect.
How do Termites Enter Homes/Buildings
A property maybe safe today but, not tomorrow. Termites are in constant search for food. They can crawl through the tiniest of gaps, foundation cracks, wall joints, gaps around plumbing pipes and other entry points.
Prevention tips
Termites like moisture
- Eliminate water in gutters, puddles or other areas where water might aggregate near your home/residence.
- Repair plumbing or drainage problems eg leaking showers.
- Ventilate humid crawl space eg sub floor.
- Repair cracks and holes in the foundation eg with caulk.
Don’t provide termites with more food
- Remove freestanding wood/logs away from the base of your home.
- Don’t plant trees/bushes too close to your home.
- Clear vegetation eg shrubs away from the home – so you have a clear view.
- Don’t have termite resistant wood in direct contact with the ground.
If you suspect or something does not look right then contact us for a Termite Inspection. Household insurance wont cover you for Termite Damage!
Termite Treatments
Treatments vary and there are two main Termite Management Strategies excluding Pre Construction systems.
You are either trying to create a barrier between the termites and the building being protected by a chemical treatment or you are trying to eradicate the termite colony through baiting.
Termite Baiting System
Termite Baiting Systems. They are generally non-invasive, safe for Home or Building, Children and Pets.
The Baiting Process
- Installation of In Ground stations around the property. These are lockable stations. Generally no more than 3 metres apart. The Stations will contain a # of timber interceptors. These are an attractant and favoured food source for termites.
- If property has a concrete area or is surrounded by concrete then holes are drilled into the concrete and sealed a with weather proof non slip lid. Timber interceptors are inserted into the In Concrete station.
- If Termites have been located internally then AG (Above Ground stations) are preferred and a Bait is introduced and sealed into the station. The AG stations/s are monitored until the colony has been eliminated. The AG stations can then be removed.
- Regular inspections during the service period ensure that each station is checked for Termites. Once termites have been detected, a palatable bait is introduced and monitored until colony elimination occurs. The Bait is even more palatable than the timbers. The termites take the Bait back to the their nest and the colony is eliminated. This is done without chemicals ensuring that the environment is not harmed.
- At conclusion eg no more termites, the stations are cleared of any remaining bait and new timbers introduced. An additional attractant can be added to further entice termites into the station.
Exterra Baiting and Monitoring Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Ye7JyO5OA&t=10s.
Xterm Baiting and Monitoring Systems. https://www.youtube.com/embed/USOSVNGq9j4
Sentricon Baiting and Monitoring System https://www.youtube.com/embed/722S4Dz7fpE follows a similar process except that the stations are a smaller size and have a permanently baited rod inside the station. The active ingredient of the rod is noviflumuron – which prevents termites from maturing through moulting. Because the termites eventually are unable to moult they die.
The Chemical Process
The purpose of termite barriers is to impede concealed termite entry into buildings. Termites can build around barriers. Evidence of termites or their workings can then be more readily identified.
Chemical for Barriers
Only chemicals registered through the NRA (National Registration Authority) are used as a Barrier.
Rates of application
Chemical is diluted and filled at the prescribed label rate.
Soil Preparation
- Removal of contaminants eg timber cut offs, building debris.
- Clay soils and sloping sites to be considered eg clumps of clay should be broken up and removed from the area. Some sand maybe introduced.
- Sandy or porous soils. Moistened with water immediately before chemical treatment.
Installation of Chemical Soil Barriers
General
Chemical mixture to be applied, in accordance with the rates specified on the product label.
Altriset
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2WL1qLLOB8
Termidor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYuu8wmL7BY
Below is a video of a customers property. Termites were entering the property underneath the concrete slab and proceeding into the corner of the property.