About Termites
Why Are Termites So Dangerous
Often referred to as 'white ants,' termites are closely related to cockroaches but are significantly more destructive pests. While Australia hosts hundreds of termite species, the majority do not pose a threat to houses and other structures. However, the select few species capable of causing damage are accountable for more structural harm to homes annually than fires, floods, or storms combined.
Types of Termites
Termites can be categorised into three main types: dampwood, drywood, and subterranean. Among these, subterranean termites pose the greatest threat to the structural integrity of buildings, making them a significant risk to your most valuable investment – your home.
Feeding Habits
Termites thrive on cellulose, a component present in all plant materials. While not all termites feed on wood, those that do may venture to your home in search of sustenance. They travel through the soil from nests potentially located hundreds of metres away, constructing mud tunnels to gain access into your house. Astonishingly, they can navigate through cracks as thin as a piece of paper.
Steel Frames Are Not Immune
Even steel-framed houses are not immune from termite attack. The termites can still get in and destroy wooden roof trusses, furniture and wood trim such as architraves. Some species of timber are resistant to termites, but none is entirely ‘termite-proof’.
Don't Wait Until It is Too Late
Typically, homeowners are unaware of termite presence until significant damage has already occurred. These pests can devour wooden structures within the home, including gyprock and plasterboard walls, often leaving behind only a thin layer of paint. Regrettably, by the time their presence is detected, they have usually infested the entire home, regardless of its construction.
Termite Colonies
Termites are highly social insects, residing and cooperating within colonies. Certain subterranean termite queens have the astonishing capability to lay up to 2000 eggs per day, resulting in mature colonies that can consist of up to two million individuals and endure for as long as 50 years.
While termite mounds are commonly recognized as their nests, many termites lead entirely subterranean lives, seemingly without a central nest structure. Most species that cause damage to buildings typically establish a central nest in the soil or within dead or living trees.
Termite Distribution
While the coastal regions and northern areas are typically considered the most susceptible regions for subterranean termite infestation, species known for damaging timber can be found across mainland Australia. In reality, any structure containing wood is vulnerable to subterranean termite infestation, whether it's located in the bustling city center, suburban neighborhoods, or rural areas – unless appropriate protective measures are implemented.
