Termite Inspections Melbourne from Exopest Control

What are Termites?
Termites, often known as white ants are wood eating insects. Termites are highly variable in size, colour and shape, but have many similarities. All Termites belong to the order Isoptera. Termites are highly modified Cockroaches and although they are often referred to as 'white ants', they are not related to the ant family at all.

Termites are social insects and live in colonies. Some termites live in mounds above ground (e.g. Magnetic termites), some live in nests up telephone poles (e.g. Nasutitermes species), some in the base of trees and stumps ( e.g. Coptotermes species), and some even live in the very timber walls of the home. Call us to find out more on 1800 686 299.

How to Inspect for Termites
Termites live in groups or colonies up to several million in number. In any colony there are several different forms called castes. Worker castes are for food supply and tunnelling. Soldier castes defend the colony against intruders and Reproductive castes (Alates) are for future generations and colony survival. Reproductive termites are often referred to as alates. The worker and soldier castes are sterile. All termites consume cellulose (found in timber, paper, cardboard, grass etc) as their food source. Call us to find out more on 1800 686 299.

Termite Behaviour in Melbourne
Termites are often associated with mounds seen in Northern Australia or dense forest areas, but they also form subterranean nests underground in root systems of trees and timber stumps. In Melbourne termites nest in many interesting unusual places such as soil fill, old building materials under premises, cavity walls and hidden voids under buildings. We have even found them nesting in timber false floors between concrete floors in commercial high rise buildings. You can also find them under concrete slabs in patios, verandas and paths around your premises. Also nesting In Eucalypts, Peppercorn and imported Oak, Elms etc.

Termites can nest in the trunk of a tree just above soil level or sometimes higher up in the fork of a branch where moisture has entered the tree causing decay. Termites can tunnel 50 to 80m from their nest to a feed site, for example from a tree 3 house blocks away to a piece of skirting in a building. The worker termites are responsible for timber damage with chewing mouth parts and form over 80% of the individuals in a colony.

Coptotermes termite workers are 5mm to 8mm long with the soldiers slightly larger having a darker head and pincers or biting jaws called mandibles on their head. These mandibles are used for protection of the termite colony. Call us to find out more on 1800 686 299.

Flying Termites in Melbourne (Alates)
Termites fly in the warmer summer months, normally when the humidity is higher during the evening. This is when the flying caste members, known as alates take to the wing in a Nuptial flight. They swarm into the air from infested timber in the building or from an infested tree. The alates pair up after a short mating display and tunnel into the soil to start a new colony. This process of release and pairing up is very hazardous with a high mortality rate from natural predators and exposure to the elements.

Often the termite flight occurs when the occupants of the house are out. On their return, they find a house full of winged insects and have no idea where they came from or what they are. Most alates are found around the edge of carpets, trying to escape towards the light. They are naturally attracted to light; however do not live for long inside the building and quickly die. Always keep a few termite alates samples as your Exopest technician will be able to identify the exact species. Correct identification of the species is very important in making the right treatment recommendations.

Termite alates are sexually mature males and females whereas the other termite castes are sterile. There is normally one Queen Termite per nest and she can measure up to 4cm in length and live up to 40 years. The Queen is very productive in her lifetime and can produce as many as 40,000 eggs per day. The King and Queen are entombed in the egg laying chamber in the centre of the colony and co-ordinate the daily activities of the worker and soldier termites.

Termite colonies only fly when the colony is mature, anything up to 5 years after the original nuptial flight. Call us to find out more on 1800 686 299.