Termites

Termite species

There are more than 350 species of termites in Australia but only a few cause major problems. The others are actually beneficial to our environment as they recycle dead timber and other plant matter as well as being a source of food for many animals. In South Australia, when buildings are damaged, the main culprits are:

• Coptotermes acinaciformis—the most widely distributed and destructive pest in Australia.
• Coptotermes frenchii— responsible for most timber damage to buildings in South Australia.
• Nasutitermes exitiosus—not as destructive but will do damage if left untreated for long.
• Heterotermes ferox—destructive to damp and rotting timbers such as fences, posts, old structures.

What are the signs that termites are active?

There are a few tell-tale signs of termite activity but it is not always apparent. Keep an eye out for:

• Noticeable damage to floors, skirting boards, ceilings, timber furniture, paper and fabrics—anything made of cellulose.
• Hollow timber or tunnels in wood. Timber that sounds hollow when tapped.
• Mud tubes on the surface of timber walls, hard surfaces or foundations. Termites sometimes build these for protection.
• Noises in your walls.
• Cracked wood, paint or plaster on your walls.
• Repeated power short circuits in the building.
• Discarded wings—flying termites loose their wings soon after finding a mate.
• Termite droppings—dry wood termites push droppings outside of the tunnels they make, leaving black marks and a dark powdery droppings near infestations.
• Fine wood dust coming out of thin cracks in the timber.

Tips to prevent termites

Termite colonies that infest structures generally begin outside and enter via the ground. Nests are mostly found underground but can also be found in dead trees and stumps. There are ways to protect your property, starting with the building design of new structures.

• The National Construction Code requires termite protection to be included in the construction of new (and existing) structures. These are generally a combination of chemical and physical barriers —the type depends on the specific building and site.
• Reduce the amount of susceptible timber in the design of the structure.
• Lay timber floors with underfloor inspection access points.
• Design the concrete slab with edges exposed for termite insection.
• Remove dried leaves and timber debris from around the building. Remove dead trees and stumps as these are favourite locations for termites to build nests.
• Don’t store timber—including firewood—up against structures or directly on the soil.
• Ensure good ventilation to sub-floor areas. Make sure vents are kept clear to avoid high humidity and high moisture levels which are attractive to termites.
• Don’t use untreated timber to create garden beds or fence posts—use termite treated timber.
• Use galvanised post shoes for fence and other support posts. Make sure the timber is well elevated above the soil—at least 50 mm.
• Spiderman YP can install a preventive termite baiting system around your property for regular inspection of termite activity.

When to call in the professionals

Nearly one in four Australian properties is affected by termites during its lifetime and termite damage is not covered by home insurance. Keeping an eye out for signs of infestation and taking preventive measures listed above is a great place to start. However, it can be difficult to spot termite infestation, so a regular complete inspection of your property is advisable for your peace of mind. Early detection and preventative termite inspections can help reduce the cost of repairs to your property.

Spiderman YP offers a range of termite prevention services and treatments for your property.