Do you have Termites?
A Guide to Termites in Australia
Early Signs of Termite Damage
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Noises in the Walls
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Discarded Wings
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Ill-fitting Doors and Windows
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Tunnels in Wood
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Hollow Sounding Walls
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Frass (termite droppings)
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Cracks in Wood or paint
How Long Does it Take to Cause Damage?
Colonies may require 2 to 5 years to cause significant damage, and mature infestations can vary in size, ranging from 60,000 termites to 2 million.
When a king and queen initially mate, the queen typically lays only 10-20 eggs daily. However, as the colony matures, this rate substantially increases. The queen's abdomen enlarges with maturity, eventually allowing her to lay as many as 1,000 eggs per day. In certain species, toward the end of her life cycle, the queen may lay up to 40,000 eggs daily. Consequently, the rate of damage inflicted by an infestation accelerates as it ages.
What do Termites Look Like?
Differentiating between termites and ants is essential, although they may share similarities. The primary distinction lies in their body shapes. Ants typically have segmented bodies with a narrow waist, whereas termites exhibit a tube-like body structure. Additionally, upon closer inspection, termites possess straight antennae, contrasting with the bent antennae of ants.
In terms of coloration, the majority of termite species appear white or light brown, while ants tend to display darker hues. This visual disparity aids in distinguishing between the two.
Lifecycle of a Termite
Termites' destructive capability stems partly from the specialised roles within their colonies. Their life cycle commences with eggs, progressing to larvae upon hatching. These larvae then develop into termite nymphs, which can further mature into three distinct castes: workers, soldiers, or reproductive termites (including the king and queen).
