What Do Termites Look Like in Australia?
Curious whether the bug you just found crawling on your kitchen counter is a termite, a fly or something else? You’re not alone! It is common for many people to mistake termites for ants or other insects, however, being able to identify termites for what they are can save you thousands of dollars in home repairs.
Can You See Termites?
Yes, you can see termites but only if you know what to look for. Termites are small, soft-bodied creatures that resemble fat white ants (they’re not related to ants at all). Here’s a guide to identifying them by role:
Worker Termites: White to pale or creamy white, as seen in preceding lines above. These are the timber chewers.
Soldier termites Light brown with big heads and powerful jaws (mandibles).
Swarmers (alates): Black or dark brown and have long, equal wings. These are traveling reproductive termites.
Queen termite: She’s the biggest of them all and can live 20 years!
The Termite Life Cycle & Caste System
Termites, which live in colonies, each have their specific functions. Here’s how it works, in the life of a post:
Eggs : Laid by the queen.
Larva : Hatches and matures into a nymph.
Nymphs : Grow into:
Workers : Construct tunnels, and collect food.
Soldiers :Defend the colony.
Alates (reproductives) – Develop wings and fly away to begin new colonies.
At the heart of the matter is the queen, who lays thousands of eggs every day, and the king, who provides for the colony.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
With their covert behavior and their affection to the dark, termites go unseen by most people until it is too late. But here are a few early omens to watch for:
Mud Tubes: Slimy, mud tunnels around walls or wood.
Wood Sounds Hollow: Tap on wood; if it’s hollow sounding, there may be termites inside.
Frass (Droppings): Drywood termites produce small dark colored pellets.
Expanding Wood or Floors: It is possible that moisture that dehydrated the wood, is released back into the wood as termites tunnel through, that the combination of wood expanding and having wood pores opened up again could trigger flooring to swell.
Termites have straight antennae and thick waists, whereas ants have bent antennae and waists that are pinched. Also, termite wings are the size ant wings aren’t.
What To Do If You Spot Termites
Think you’ve seen termites? You can’t go wrong with this, just don’t spook them, though also don’t leave shaking hands and trembling legs. Do not spray them or attempt to fix the mode yourself. This can make the colony scatter and even more difficult to handle.
Here’s what to do:
Get a professional pest control agent to do a comprehensive assessment.
Stay away from DIY spray or treatments. These are not going to fix the problem and may make it worse.
Order routine inspections especially in areas with high-risk potential.
Even if you’re unsure, it’s best to get your home tested early.
Do Termites Fly?
Yes! Reproductive termites grow wings and fly out of their nests once a year to start a new colony. Flying termites are sometimes mistaken for moths or flying ants. If you notice flying termites in your home all of a sudden, it’s a good indicator that there might already be a nest in your walls or timber.
If this happens:
Shut up doors and windows.
Leave your indoor lights off and turn on outside lights they will fly toward the light and drop dead.
Call a termite specialist right away.
Should I Treat My House for Termites?
If your home was constructed with built-in termite protection, it is still a good idea to get regular inspections, but you might be exempted from the annual cost of routine preventative treatments. Since most insurance policies don’t cover termite damage, repairs can be expensive.
We recommend:
Yearly Timber pest (Termite) inspections (to AS 3660.2).
Inspecting and replenishing any physical or chemical barriers against termites.
Expert guidance based on your home and risk level.
If your home is in a high-risk region, or you have observed that you have an existing problem with termites, you should have preventative treatment applied. Prevention is always cheaper (and better) than the fix.
Know What Termites Look Like – Stay Ahead of the Problem
Well now you know for sure what termites look like in Australia, and can recognise signs of them, you should be able to protect the most important things in your life. Let’s not forget, termites are small, but the destruction they leave behind can be huge.
If any suspicion arises that you may have termites or if you just want to take precautions, get in touch with a licensed termite professional today. A professional inspection could save your home (and your wallet) later down the line.
Edge Termite Treatment Midvale offers all pest control services in Midvale and surroundings. Feel free to contact us at (08) 6275 6528 or visit our website:
https://eagletermitetreatmentherne.com.au/
