TERMITES
Despite their small size, termites are one of the most economically devastating pests on the planet. They are well known to every homeowner for a good reason.
While it is impossible to calculate the exact cost of termite damage worldwide, estimates suggest it could be as high as $40 billion annually.
In Australia, the annual costof termite damage repairs exceeds $1.3 billion. Studies show that over 60% of
Australian homes have been or will be affected by these pests.
Why Are We Effected By Termites
There are around 3,000 known species of termite in the world. Australia covers a landmass that includes every ideal termite habitat, from tropical rainforest to desert and urban to rural. So it’s hardly surprising that around 360 species are found here. Although less than 30 species
are considered pests, termites earned the reputation as the most destructive insect pest in Australia.
The most destructive termites species in Australia
Australia is home to several highly destructive species of termites that can cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage each year to homes and structures across the continent. Unlike many other pests, these termite species can go unnoticed for long periods, allowing
them to cause significant damage quickly. When homeowners realise a problem, it may already be too late,
as the damage has often already been done.
Mastotermes Darwiniensis, known as the Giant Northern Termite, is Australia’s largest and most destructive termite species. Found primarily in Northern Australia, especially the Northern Territory and parts of Queensland, these termites can consume almost any cellulose material including timber, paper, and even some plastics. They are capable of destroying wooden structures within months, making them particularly feared among homeowners.
Coptotermes Acinaciformis, the Subterranean Termite, is responsible for approximately 70% of serious termite damage to buildings in Australia. These termites are found throughout mainland Australia, particularly in warmer regions. They build extensive underground tunnel networks and form highly organized colonies with millions of members, allowing them to cause extensive damage before being detected.
Schedorhinotermes Intermedius is common along coastal areas of eastern Australia. These termites feature distinctive two-sized soldier castes and often enter buildings through cracks in concrete slabs, making them difficult to detect until significant damage has occurred.
Nasutitermes Exitiosus, also known as the Mound-building Termite, builds prominent above-ground mounds in rural areas. Common in southern Australia, including Victoria and South Australia, these termites can travel through soil to reach wooden structures, even protected ones.
Cryptotermes Brevis, is an introduced pest species in Australia. Unlike other termites, they require no ground contact and infest dry timber directly, making detection particularly difficult. These termites are commonly found in furniture and structural timber throughout homes.
Termites are capable of causing significant amounts of damage in a very short period. The CSIRO report says that termites will affect an average of 1 in 5 Australian homes at some point. That number increases to 1 in 3 homes in high risk areas like Sydney. The same report shows
that180,000 properties in Australia are damaged each year. Other studies suggest that most home owners have an 80%
chance ofliving within 25 meters of a termite colony
Favourable climatic conditions and the large amount of timber building industry continues to use for building homes in Australia are the right combination for termite attack. Construction methods have changed over the years. Some of these changes are due to legislation introduced to minimise termite damage. But problems can still arise.
For example, the use of concrete slabs has helped reduce termite problems. But as the property ages, the need for maintenance increases. Some older slabs, while good when installed, relied on chemicals and concepts that have since been found less effective.
Gaps or cracks in the concrete as narrow as 1mm are enough to make the slab worthless as a preventative measure. Home improvements or renovations can accidentally damage previously effective barriers. Water from leaking taps and broken gutters can change the soil composition, reducing the value of chemical barriers.
Older houses used lots of wood in their construction. Even today, houses still incorporate significant amounts of wood when built and later as decoration. Most of this is softwood and highly desirable to termites.
Termite damage often takes place out of sight as termites shy away from open and well ventilated spaces. They build tunnels and prefer dark, moist, obscure areas with little human activity. Termites usually build their nests in trees, below the ground, and in tree stumps. Sometimes, they construct a nest in the roof cavity or under the floor.
Termites can feed on the timber of your house without your knowledge. This destruction may continue for a long time with no visible sign.
Archi Centre Australia confirms that the National Architect’s Advisory service states that Australia has no termite-free zones, and homeowners should take necessary steps to protect their homes from these destructive timber pests.
One-third of homes inspected before the sale showed signs of previous termite damage. National Architect’s Advisory service also states that less than 20% of homes are inspected regularly for termites or are serviced by professional pest control companies. With only one home in 5 regularly inspected, could your neighbours be harbouring termites, or will the pests visit your home?
Due to this significant threat, regular professional termite inspections are necessary for early detection, particularly in high-risk areas.
Not all termites are equal, their species are normally split into one of three categories. These categories are only broad definitions as there is some overlap in habits and habitats.
As the name suggests, dampwood termites need a moist environment to thrive. In a home, this may be provided by a dripping pipe or a leaking gutter. Dampwood termites feed on wood that has rotted, aided in their digestion by fungus attacking the wood. Although their colonies may be large, this type of termite is not often seen. These termites live in the decaying wood they feed on, and not in the soil.
Drywood termites represent a significant structural pest in many regions, particularly in warmer climates and tropical areas worldwide. Unsurprisingly, drywood termites prefer a drier environment, obtaining moisture from the wood they feed on. Unlike their subterranean counterparts, these pests do not require soil contact and establish colonies directly within wooden structures, making detection difficult until damage becomes obvious. They create distinctive galleries within timber as they consume cellulose, leaving behind hexagonal fecal pellets that often provide the first visible evidence of infestation. Drywood termites typically enter buildings through unprotected wood and attic vents as winged reproductive alates during seasonal swarms. Their colonies develop more slowly than subterranean species. Drywood termites can be destructive, but this typically occurs slowly because the colonies are relatively small. However, they can still cause substantial damage over time, potentially compromising structural integrity if left untreated.
Subterranean termites are Australia’s most destructive termite species. They form massive underground colonies with millions of termites and build distinctive mud tunnels to reach food sources.
These pests require moisture for survival, which they obtain from soil rather than consumed wood. Subterranean termites pose a significant risk to buildings by entering through tiny cracks in foundations, often causing extensive damage before they are discovered. Subterranean termite colonies can be large and are not always located near the building they choose to attack. However, these colonies can maintain connections through underground tunnels and walled galleries.
The dual impact of termites
Regardless of their reputation as destroyers of houses, termites are vitally important to life on earth. Whether on the plains of Africa, the forests of South America or bush lands in Australia, termites work ceaselessly to our benefit. Mostly, termites are beneficial to the ecosystem and are an integral part of the bush. But it is in urban areas where their destructive habits are felt most. Their role in nature is to recycle dead trees. Unfortunately termites can’t distinguish between fallen logs and timbers of a house. However, when their hunger for cellulose
is directed at our homes, we understandably object. All too often we inadvertently make it easy for termites to invade.
Nitrogen-rich soil is essential for agriculture. Nitrogen is a common gas but normally found combined with other elements which make it hard for plants to access. Termites are among only a handful of creatures that possess the microbes necessary to release the nitrogen for uptake.
Nitrogen-rich soil is essential for agriculture. Nitrogen is a common gas but normally found combined with other elements which make it hard for plants to access. Termites are among only a handful of creatures that possess the microbes necessary to release the nitrogen for uptake.
Nitrogen-rich soil is essential for agriculture. Nitrogen is a common gas but normally found combined with other elements which make it hard for plants to access. Termites are among only a handful of creatures that possess the microbes necessary to release the nitrogen for uptake.
Termite life cycle
Termites undergo incomplete metamorphosis. This means that, unlike many insects such as flies, they do not go through the egg, larva, pupa, adult cycle. Termite eggs hatch into nymphs which undergo a series of molts until they become adults. The number of molts will vary by
species and also according to the eventual role of the adult termite.
The length of the life cycle depends on the availability of food, temperature and, to a lesser extent, the needs of the colony. Pheromones from the queen (or less commonly, the king) control the development of the nymphs, determining whether they will be workers, soldiers, kings or queens. Pheromones also dictate when winged termites or alates appear. The alates are fertile males and females that swarm from their nests to start new colonies. When a colony is still new, the queen may only lay as few as 10 to 20 eggs a day. Within a year or two this may have increased to 1,000 eggs a day. Once the colony is fully established, a single queen might lay up to 40,000 eggs daily.
The length of the life cycle depends on the availability of food, temperature and, to a lesser extent, the needs of the colony. Pheromones from the queen (or less commonly, the king) control the development of the nymphs, determining whether they will be workers, soldiers, kings or queens. Pheromones also dictate when winged termites or alates appear. The alates are fertile males and females that swarm from their nests to start new colonies. When a colony is still new, the queen may only lay as few as 10 to 20 eggs a day. Within a year or two this may have increased to 1,000 eggs a day. Once the colony is fully established, a single queen might lay up to 40,000 eggs daily.