Common termites found Australia

• Subterranean: build nests and make tunnels in the ground, operate from a central colony which could contain up to 1 million individuals, there mud shelter tubes give them access to a food source keeps the nest sealed for survival.
• Dampwood: nest in very moist wood and soil and attack deteriorating, dead trees, stumps, poles, fences, waste timbers on the ground.
• Drywood: nest above ground in relatively dry wood and do not require ground water, other the source they are attacking.

Signs of subterranean termite activity

Signs of a subterranean termite infestation include the shelter tubes originating from the ground, and evidence of tunnelling in the timbers, excavate wood leaving a thin layer of wood intact protecting termites from the environment.

These earth-hardened tubes are made by workers using saliva mixed with soil and bits of wood or even drywall. (sometimes called mud tubes) are the most commonly seen evidence of a subterranean termite infestation.

Mud tubes broken open may relieve live termites passing through the tubes, bubbles and blistering of decorative timbers is another possible indication of an infestation, the damaged timbers is typical thin at the surface and easily pierced with a knife, finding live termites foraging in this area of wood is a good sign of an infestation

Termite noise from the soldiers tapping their heads and mandibles on the wood, which can be heard where there is less atmospheric noise.

Signs of a subterranean termite infestation include swarms of winged reproductive, colonizing flight when humidity levels in the atmosphere are high, just before a storm.

STEPS TO KEEP TERMITES OUT