To understand Sydney termites (white ants), prevention and control, it's best to determine what termite species they are and how they breed, feed and live. There are three problematic species in Sydney, the worst being Coptotermes acinaciformis closely followed by Schedorhinotermes and the least damaging Nasutitermes. If you think you have found any of these species of termites in your building, a termite inspection should be conducted expediently, followed by an appropriate termite control treatment. Very Important. A pest control treatment does not cover termites.
Termites (White Ants) are prehistoric and have existed for millions of years, and believe it or not, the closest insect they are related to are cockroaches. They belong to the insect order of isoptera meaning "iso", meaning equal, and "ptera" meaning wings, referring to the reproductive termite known as alates or flying termites with similar wings and venation of the four wings.
Termites live in a humid, protected subterranean or enclosed environment of dirt and partially digested wood or cellulose. Some species live in a nest with a hardened external shell above the ground or up a tree ( Nasutitermes ). Still, Sydney's most destructive termite species have nests below ground level in the root ball of a tree or under a cement slab ( Coptotermes and Schedorhinotermes).
The nest's interior is maintained between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius with high humidity. Bright light or open-air will cause the termites to die of dehydration, so most termites in a colony live in constant darkness, except for swarming termites that fly outside to establish new colonies.
Termites (White Ants) are social insects, and there are multiple castes within the colony, alates, Queen, King, nursery, soldiers and workers. Termites live in a central colony and radiate from approximately 100 metres in search of food (timber or cellulose material). The worker termite particularly digest the cellulose materials before returning to the nest to feed the colony.
This is what causes damage to our buildings and bank accounts, as many Sydney-siders will attest, and unfortunately, it can happen in a matter of months. That is why a termite inspection in Sydney is recommended at least once a year.
Sydney termites (white ants) are so unpredictable and destructive because they are blind and can't smell. Foraging termites blunder upon their food source and can't distinguish between a building or trees. Alate termites swarm three or four times a year, usually in summer. Each time they swarm, they start up several new nests, usually not far away from the mother termite nest. So that's twenty-eight new termite colonies started every year from one nest.
It takes approximately seven years for these immature termite nests to become commercially destructive. For these immature nests to survive, all they need is a constant food and moisture source.
The most interesting fact about termites is that they feed each other through trophallaxis, meaning they get their nutrition from grooming each other (licking the sweat off each others back).
Castes Within the Termite Colony
Alates
Termites swarm between November and January in Sydney. On a warm, humid evening, the colony releases thousands of winged male and female termites (white ants), known as alates. A small number survive the flight, drop their two pairs of distinctive, equal-sized wings, pair off, mate, and, if they can, find a suitable location and start a new colony.
A suitable location for nesting termites is generally a damp area with a constant water source. They like to nest in the root balls of trees, behind retaining walls and underneath houses with drainage or plumbing problems.
What Are Flying Termites?
A short video explaining the very important roll of flying termites within the termite colony.The difference between flying ants and flying termites.
Queen
As the other termites (white ants) castes take over the running of the colony, the Queen of most species of termites becomes physogastric. Her abdomen distends to many times its original size, and she becomes an egg-laying machine, laying up to 1000 eggs a day. She is confined to her royal chamber, tended and fed by the workers and regularly fertilised by the king. There is only one Queen in a termite nest, and it is generally situated in the centre of the nest and is very hard for predators to get to.
Nursery
The termite eggs are removed from the royal chamber and transferred to a nursery by the workers. Here the broo (the eggs and nymphs) develops into the other castes that the colony requires for development and survival; workers, soldiers and reproductive s.
Worker Termites
Worker termites are blind and sterile. The workers carry out the work of the colony and are responsible for feeding the termite colony. They make up the bulk of the population in a colony. They are typically 3 to 4 mm long, have a soft body with no armour, translucent colour, lack wings, are incapable of reproduction, and are blind. They work in the nest twenty-four hours a day, foraging for food, building, repairing and maintaining the nest structure and tunnel systems that lead to the food.
Workers are the only termites that can digest cellulose, utilising protozoa in their digestive systems to feed the other castes of termites in the termite nest through trophallaxis. The workers in a colony will forage randomly in their search for food sources and like to follow moisture trails along the edge of solid objects, accompanied by soldier termites.
Soldier Termites
Soldier termites protect the nest from predators such as ants. Soldiers have an armoured heads with strong pincers used to crush attackers. Some can inject a latex substance that will trap enemies.
Termites Price List
There are many complexities and variables involved in giving an accurate quote for the treatment of termites. To get an accurate quote, a termite inspection is essential. However, I have being in the industry for over thirty-five years, and if you ring me, I can give you a ballpark figure if you name the suburb you live in, the size of the house and the type of construction.
What precautions can you take to reduce the chances of termites eating your house?
To answer this question firstly, it is very important to understand that termite’s living conditions are generally dark, humid, wet and with no airflow.
1) Remove all building materials and stored materials in contact with the ground from the sub-floor of the house. Every third house I go to the client uses their sub-floor as a rubbish dump or for storage of old furniture and cardboard boxes. When renovations are carried out on a house, it is cheaper for builders to leave all their rubbish under the house rather than removing it, out of sight and out of mind. The most common area for termites to start in a house is under suspended cement slabs because the builders have neglected to remove the timber formwork.
2) A lot of houses I conduct termite inspections on have bad subfloor ventilation. Instead of putting air-conditioning ducting in the subfloor, put it in the roof, and if you have to tie it up to the floor joists. Do not store anything in the sub-floor. Replace all terracotta air vents with alleta bronze mesh air vents or a ducted extraction fan. They increase airflow by one hundred percent. All termites do not like airflow.
Make sure you get a termite inspection at least once a year. This will hopefully catch the termites early, which will reduce the amount of damage they cause. Any time of year is appropriate for a termite inspection, especially if you have not had one for a while.
The most important precaution to take to reduce the chances of termites in your house and or building is to make sure all the drainage and plumbing is in tiptop condition around and under the house. The most common areas that termites are found in a house are the wet areas, especially the bathrooms and laundries. I would have to say leaking showers are the single most common reason for termites in houses in Sydney. The second would have to be blocked storm-water and sewage drains which flow under houses, broken water pipes, overflows from the air-conditioner and the hot water systems.
Now how do we rectify these moisture issues?
1) Once a year clean out all the internal plumbing with Draino.
2) Every year, get a plumber to check and clean out all the storm-water drains with a jet blaster.
3) Get a termite inspection every year by Micropest Pest control Sydney. We will check for leaking showers, broken drains and water pipes.
4) Clean out your storm-water roof gutters every four months.
5) Attach a hose from the air-conditioner over flow pipe and directed to a drain or away from the house.
6) Attach a water hose to the hot water overflow pipe and direct it away from the house or into a drain.
7) Improve your sub-floor ventilation.
Termites. Questions and answers.
Comments: Hi, I have some wooden Aboriginal Art from Maningrida in Arnhem land, and small holes are appearing in it. This art is in the form of 5 large, 1-2 meters high, thin sticks. I am worried there is bora in them that need to be treated. A gallery down here suggested they had the same problem, and it wasn't termites. Could you come and inspect?
REPLY: Small round holes are defiantly Bora and not termites,
There are a lot (thousands) of these flying yellow ants raining down on the desk in my study, which is under the main (concrete) steps and pathway to the front door of the house. They did this about 6 months ago, then stopped. Just started up again.
REPLY: These flying yellow ants that appear just before an impending storm are alate termites or flying termites. The kings and queens of a termite nest. Strongly recommend a termite inspection.
Mission Statement?
Termites Sydney company Micropest Pest Control Sydney will endeavour to assist you in the best and most helpful way and will always treat the customer with respect honestly and ethically.
Sydney Termites (White Ants): A Homeowner's Guide to Prevention & Control
Sydney Termites (White Ants): A Homeowner's Guide to Prevention & Control
Think you have termites? In Sydney, it's a serious threat. Destructive species can cause thousands of dollars in damage in just a few months, silently eating away at your home's structure. Understanding what you're up against is the first step to protecting your property.
This guide, written by a pest control expert with over 35 years of experience, covers everything you need to know about Sydney's most common termites and how to stop them.
Worried you have termites? Don't wait for the damage to get worse.
The 3 Most Destructive Termite Species in Sydney
It's crucial to identify the termite species to apply the right treatment. Sydney is home to three problematic types:
Coptotermes acinaciformis: By far the most destructive species in the region. They build large, hidden nests underground (often in tree root balls or under concrete slabs) and aggressively seek out timber in homes.
Schedorhinotermes: The second most damaging species. They also nest underground and are known for their voracious appetite.
Nasutitermes: The least damaging of the three, often building distinctive, hardened nests on the ground or up in trees.
Finding any of these requires immediate action. A professional termite inspection is the only way to understand the extent of the infestation and plan an effective treatment.
Important Note: A general pest control treatment for spiders or cockroaches does not cover termites. You need a specialised termite control service.
Understanding Termite Biology: How They Live, Feed, and Breed
Termites are social insects that live in highly organised colonies, radiating out up to 100 metres from their nest in search of food (cellulose material like timber).
Environment: They thrive in dark, humid, and protected environments with no airflow, maintaining their nests at a constant 25-30°C. This is why they are so often found in sub-floors and wall cavities.
Foraging: Worker termites are blind and forage randomly. They can't distinguish between a dead tree and your home's timber frame, which is what makes them so unpredictable.
Feeding the Colony: Workers are the only caste that can digest cellulose. They return to the nest and feed the rest of the colony through a process called trophallaxis, quickly spreading damage throughout your property.
7 Practical Steps to Protect Your Home from Termites
Termites are attracted to moisture and food. By managing these two factors, you can significantly reduce your risk. Here are the most important precautions you can take:
Clear Your Sub-floor: Remove all stored timber, cardboard boxes, and building debris from under your house. Builders often leave timber formwork under concrete slabs, creating a perfect nesting site.
Fix All Moisture & Plumbing Issues: This is the single most important step. Leaking showers, broken pipes, and blocked stormwater drains create the damp conditions termites need to survive.
Improve Sub-floor Ventilation: Poor airflow creates a humid environment. Replace old terracotta vents with high-airflow vents or consider a ducted fan system to keep the area dry.
Manage Overflows: Attach hoses to your air-conditioner and hot water system overflows, directing the water away from the foundation and into a drain.
Clean Gutters Regularly: Clogged gutters cause water to overflow down walls and into the foundations, attracting termites. Clean them every four months.
Maintain Drainage: Have a plumber clean your stormwater drains with a jet blaster annually to prevent blockages and moisture build-up around your home.
Schedule Annual Inspections: Because termites are so hidden, an annual professional inspection is the best way to catch an infestation early and minimise damage.
How to Get an Accurate Termite Treatment Quote
Every home and infestation is different, making a fixed price list impossible. An accurate quote requires a professional onsite inspection to assess key variables, including:
The species of termite.
The size and construction type of your house.
The extent and location of the infestation.
With over 35 years of experience, I can often provide a ballpark estimate over the phone.
Call Gerard today for an obligation-free discussion about your termite concerns and a preliminary estimate.
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