profile
They're not really white and they're not really ants but these insects are often referred to as "white-ants". Termites play an important role in nature, unfortunately man-made structures are not easily distinguishable to them and often bare the brunt of costly damage. It is estimated termites will attack 1 in 3 homes during their economic life, cause more damage then all natural disasters combined, and most insurance policies don't cover the damage bill.
biology
Subterranean
termites usually have to maintain contact with the soil
to obtain sufficient moisture to survive. They live in
large colonies and are divided into various castes, each
with a specific role.
Worker
termites are by far the most numerous of the termite castes.
They forage for food, care for the young and build the
nest. The workers are responsible for damage to timber
caused in their search for food which consists mainly
of cellulose, sugars, and starches present in the timber.
Protection
of the colony is the duty of a relatively small number
of soldier termites. Nature has equipped these soldiers
with physical and chemical weaponry to help repel colony
invaders. The reproductive caste is responsible for the
propagation of the species. These reproductive termites
grow wings and are known as alates.
During
warm and humid evenings, usually during early summer,
the alates swarm from the nest. After a short flight,
these males and females shed their wings prior to mating
and attempting to form a new colony. Most of the potential
"king and queen" termites will never successfully
start a new nest. They will either be killed by other
animals or simply die of exposure to the elements before
they can find a suitable nesting location. But, if two
termites are one of the rare one's that survive, find
a nesting location, and mate, a new colony will develop
which after many years may contain over one million termites.
Whenever
termites leave the soil in their search for food, they
construct mud tunnels to protect them from predators and
also to ensure that a high level of life-sustaining moisture
is maintained within the workings.
species
There
are many different species of termite in Australia but
only a few actually attack homes. Find
out which ones >>
signs
of termites
If you discover termites,
it is very important you do not disturb them. Doing so
may ruin any chance of successfully eradicate them from
your property.
If
you do uncover them, try to put things back as they were.
Removing floor boards, architraves etc may kill the few
termites in those timbers but the colony will always regroup
and find another food source nearby (which may still be
within the home) and begin to attack it.
Resist
the temptation to disturb any infestation - in particular
- never spray the few you see with any household insecticide
spray. Waiting before a consultant can inspect the area
will make little difference to the extent of damage to
the property.
what
to look out for
Subterranean termites move through mud tubes which are
made by the Worker caste of termite using dirt and other
materials. These tubes provide the only climate that termites
can survive in for any length of time. They build these
tubes over any object that gets in their way while foraging
for food sources. Be on the look out for the thin mud
tubes (anywhere from approximately 1 - 5cm wide) around
your home.
Also, look for other signs such as rippled
paint work, soft or missing floorboards, and noises -
some species can make a "clicking" noise, often
heard during quite times in a household (eg. at night).
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