The CSIRO reports that termites cause more damage than fire and that more than one in five houses had termite damage with an estimated damage bill of more than $100 million every year.  The Termite Colony The number of castes that make up a Termite colony, are a king, queen, worker, soldier, reproductives and alates. All of these castes contribute in individual ways to growth of a colony. Colonies can grow up to 1 million termites in each.

The Queen can lay over 1000 eggs per day and can live for up to 25 years. She and the King initiate the colony and produce most of the eggs until the colony matures. When the Queen dies a replacement from the chosen reproductives takes her place.

A Soldiers’ function is to protect the colony from intruders. They are males and females whose reproductive organs and sexual characteristics have not yet formed.

Worker castes are the primary locaters of the food source and feeders of the other members of the colony. Reproductives are the future Kings and Queens of colonies yet to be developed or replacements of existing if they die. They are more susceptible to the outside environment than other castes. When fully developed they acquire wings and swarm in the warmer months leaving their parent colony. These new colonies are usually set up in trees or where moisture and food is evident.

The prime source of food for termites is cellulose which is predominantly found in timber. Termites can eat dried timber, rotting timber and living trees. Termites are extremely tenacious in finding timber even though those scouting for food are blind. If timber is present, termites will find it.

Termite Damage & Areas to Watch.

Many people think that termites only attack timber homes but this is not the case. Brick homes on concrete slabs allow termites to enter through tiny cracks in the concrete.
They can eat hard and soft timbers and over ten different species are found locally.

They nest in large underground colonies containing millions of insects. They travel up to 400 metres in search of food so quite often they are not anywhere near the home that they are striking

Termites enter walls from concrete slabs or adjoining structures and can completely destroy a structure without being noticed. Moisture attracts termites, as the decaying timber provides them with wood (carbohydrate), fungal growth (protein) and moisture, so high moisture content areas like under bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, and sometimes damaged or faulty guttering are danger areas.

Annual Reports and Inspections

A termite inspection provides information to the homeowner or purchaser on established or possible termite, borer and decay problems. An authorised Technician will inspect your premises thoroughly through the Roof Void (if accessible), Subfloor (if accessible), Interior, Exterior, Garage, Out Buildings, Fences and Grounds.

Pre Purchase reports are usually arranged at the time of purchase or sale of a home and may affect the sale or price of the property, WE RECOMMEND Property owners to have a professional termite inspection carried out at least annually, as, if left undetected and untreated can cost many thousands of dollars damage.

Termites are attracted to moisture.

If there is a tap, shower or anything else leaking around the premises
Check for moisture under the house regularly.

Ring a plumber and get the problem fixed.

Do not use untreated timbers to form a garden beds or retaining walls as these will attract termites.

Some signs of termite activity.

Have you seen flying ants near your house recently?
Have you noticed any trails of mud going up your walls or in timber piles lately?         

There is a strong possibility that these mud trails are termites,

Have you noticed the paint on wooden surfaces bubble recently,? This could be termites almost breaching the surface of the wood.

Common Termites

There are 2 main species of termites in Brisbane that cause the most damage to sound timber. Coptotermes and Schedorhinotermes.

Coptotermes (acinaciformis)

Schedorhinotermes

Are the most common termite found around Brisbane,it is a serious pest species that is capable of causing extensive damage to homes, fences, trees living and dead, retaining walls ect. The nests are often very difficult to locate, preferred locations include Trees Living/dead, Retaining walls under in-fill patio slabs, or under other concrete slabs. Colonies can be very populous, consisting of many thousands of termites. The minor soldiers appear first in a developing nest, once the nest is well established the major soldiers appear. The appearance on the major soldier usually indicates the colony’s increasing potential for damaging timber in service.

Schedorhinotermes soldiers (major) are 5-7mm long and have bulbous heads, the minor soldiers are about 2/3 the length of the majors, they have narrower heads and more slender mandibles. This species of termite is very easy to disturb, if workings are broken open ect-the termites will often retreat deep into affected timbers or back to the nest. This can have an adverse effect on treatments, as such and suspicious activity should be left alone until it can be inspected.

Hetrotermes

Found throughout Australia this species is not considered to be a risk to risk to homes it often attacks fences, decking, posts and poles where some from of decay is already present.

This species do not build mounds, but have very small colonies adjacent to stumps, logs or on the ground—Esp. near rotting wood. Soldiers are 3.5-7 mm long with long rectangular heads, and no obvious teeth oncurved their curved mandibles..

Nasutitermes.

Whilst not common in Brisbane This is a species that can cause damage to sound timber. They build arboreal nests (mound on the side of a tree) commonly on iornbark and stringybark trees. They often attack fence posts and power poles but can enter homes esp in homes built in native bushland blocks. Soldiers are 5-7 mm long with a head that is drawn out to a point.

You should have regular inspections of all timber and possible termite entry points. We can identify timber problems and advise you of the solutions. If you find termite damage in your home, call us and do not disturb the termites. We will investigate the size and nature of the infestation and advise you on the available options.