Major Termite Species In Sydney

Termites can be harmful to your property, look out for following species…

Termites mostly feed on dead plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung, and about 10% of the estimated 4,000 species (about 2,600 taxonomically known) are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests.

Termites are social insects that live in communities just like ants. They have long been known as white ants, however, this is not true. Termites are like ants only in their habitats but they are much smaller in size. Actually, termites have more of a resemblance to grasshoppers and cockroaches. They have evolved over 200 million years. These small insects can cause a lot of damage to your house. There are more than 300 species of termites in Australia and 30 of them are potentially harmful. Termites can be divided into groups called castes – each caste performs different functions.

Some of the primary species of termite include Subterranean, Dampwood and Drywood termites. Subterranean termites dwell in soil while Dampwood termites prefer to live in dead trees. A serious invasion can result in substantial damages and a large amount of money may be spent in repairs. There are many species of termites in Sydney and five of them are particularly harmful, since they infest both old and new homes. These harmful species are generally Subterranean.

Subterranean termites

Subterranean termites build their underground nests in roots of trees and other dark areas where moisture is available all the time.
The scientific name of Subterranean is Reticulitermes flavipes. Here is what a Subterranean termite looks like.

Some termites can build nests as high as 3 meters. Their colonies are in dark places where they can be safe from direct exposure to sunlight that kills them quickly. Termites travel by creating mud crested gallery systems or tunnels. These termite tunnels may run down the side or base of the building walls and timber floors. Once the termites are in contact with the wood they attack its base and leave only a thin layer of timber outside. Subterranean termites cause more than 2 billion dollars of damage in a year. That is more than the damage caused by fire and storms.

Dampwood termites

The second most harmful termites are Dampwood termites. Dampwood termites do not live in centralised nests; they live in much smaller nests in damp areas and parts of standing trees. Their nests are above ground, and they prefer to stay in their nests – although, they are also responsible for destroying a lot of houses and buildings in Sydney.

Drywood termites

The third type is Drywood. Drywood termites live in their nests avoiding ground and moisture unlike their counter parts Dampwood termites. The scientific name of drywood is Incisitermes minor (Hagen). They live in small colonies. A single colony can exist in a small piece of dry timber such as a frame of a picture or a table or a desk which can be in your home and office. If you are facing problems due to termite, try a reliable pest control service.

  • Castle Hill, Dural
  • Epping, Frenchs Forest
  • Leichhardt
  • Manly
  • Marrickville
  • Mosman
  • Maroubra
  • Pearl Beach
  • Rozelle
  • Wahroongah
  • Winston Hills

If you don’t live in one of these Sydney suburbs, it doesn’t mean that your property isn’t at risk, though; so if it’s been a while since your last termite inspection, be sure to schedule one soon.

What Does a Termite Inspection Involve?

When Pink Pest Services is asked to do a termite inspection, we may use several techniques to ensure you get all the answers you need. The first of these methods is generally a visual inspection. During this process, we look for the outward signs of infestation. In addition to a visual termite inspection, we also have very specialised equipment. For example, we may employ the use of a borescope, which is a fiber optic camera that can look inside the walls. Our methods may also include the use of a thermal imaging camera. These tools help us determine the scope of an infestation.

Sometimes in a termite inspection, it is necessary to do what is called an “invasive inspection.” This involves actually removing portions of the house to see what is going on behind the scenes. Because it is so invasive, we look at this as one of our last options in a termite inspection; and it is always carried out by a well-qualified professional to ensure the integrity of the work. The introduction of the thermal imaging cameras has made these types of inspections less necessary.

Does My House Really Need a Termite Inspection?

While many people tend to think of termites in the context of timber houses, the truth is that all types of houses are at risk for an attack. Surprisingly to many, brick houses in the Sydney area are at just as much risk as those framed with softwoods. The explanation for this is that termites attack from the outside in and don’t realize the house isn’t made of tasty wood until they’ve already bored through doors or window frames. Even steel-framed houses need to undergo regular termite inspections for this very reason.

The trained, certified professionals at Pink Pest Services are available to conduct thorough termite inspections throughout the Sydney area. Contact us today for a free quote.