CONSUMER NOTE: It is essential to identify the species of termite found in or around a building. Some termite species will only attack living trees or damp decaying timber. Whilst other termites are highly destructive to timbers found in most buildings. In NSW and ACT there are 6 destructive species of termites that may attack buildings. These destructive species are named and discussed below.
Coptotermes acinaciformis
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Distribution: Commonly found throughout NSW and ACT particularly in urban areas or where eucalypt gum trees are highly prevalent.
Nest Location - Coptotermes acinaciformis are a very secretive termite species; they build their nest out of sight, often within the base of eucalyptus or other susceptible trees, or completely under the ground; often within an enclosed patio or under concrete on ground flooring which is ideal for moisture retention, temperature and humidity control within the termite colony's central nest. Coptotermes acinaciformis can also construct subsidiary nests away from the main colony nest. A subsidiary nest can be contained in a wall cavity of a building where there is a reliable moisture source, for example, from a leaking shower recess or faulty guttering or rusted down pipes.
Destructive Nature - Coptotermes acinaciformis are highly destructive to buildings and other timber structures. They are the most widely distributed and destructive timber pest in Australia, accounting for more than 70% of the serious damage to buildings in New South Wales. A single colony may consist of more than one million termites. A most voracious timber pest ... one to be taken seriously.
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Schedorhinotermes intermedius
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Distribution: Commonly found in eastern NSW particularly along the entire coast-line, the Great Dividing Range and western slopes.
Nest Location - Schedorhinotermes intermedius commonly build their nest in tree stumps, in the root crown of the living, dead and debilitated trees, under houses or within enclosed patios or other areas where timber has been buried or stored in contact with the soil.
Identification - this species tends to "gouge" the affected timber and has a fetish around nails used in construction. When you first find them, you will often see a major soldier (6mm in body length) and a minor soldier (4mm in body length).
Destructive Nature - Schedorhinotermes intermedius are highly destructive to buildings and other timber structures. If mostly major (larger) soldiers are sighted, then they will most likely be a large colony with the potential to cause severe and rapid damage to structural timbers of a building or other timber structures.
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Coptotermes frenchi
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Distribution: see map - high incidence
in most urban areas, particularly as most homes are constructed of
highly susceptible softwood and oregon timber framing. This species
is responsible the majority of timber pest damage to buildings in
the ACT and Gippsland region.
Destructive
Nature - Coptotermes frenchi is a highly destructive
termite species. They cause severe damage to buildings, bridges and
other timber. CONSUMER NOTE: Special care NOT to disturb areas of
"active" Coptotermes frenchi termites found in a building, as they
are extremely timid and will leave that area and relocate elsewhere,
hidden within the building. The professional termite controller can
introduce a hi-tech bait to any live termites found. Termite baiting
is analysed in the Termite Control section of this website. |
Identification: the Coptotermes frenchi
soldier is approx. 5mm in length and usually smaller than Coptotermes
acinaciformis. However, the size of soldiers of both species may vary,
so professional inspection and specialist identification is required.
In any case, both species can be highly destructive, so that protective
measures are essential if evident in or around a building.
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Nest Location - Coptotermes frenchi
most often build their nest in the root crown or lower trunk area of living
trees, particularly eucalypt's. They may also build their nest as a mound
in the dryer areas of western New South Wales.
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Nasutitermes exitiosus
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Distribution: Commonly found throughout NSW and ACT particularly in urban areas or where eucalypt gum trees are highly prevalent.
Nest Location - Nasutitermes exitiosus build a mound nest which protrudes 30cm to 75cm above the ground. Control can be as easy as knocking the top off the nest and a follow up insecticide treatment inside the nest.
Destructive Nature - Nasutitermes exitiosus are destructive to buildings and other timber structures. Sometimes severe damage may occur, but not so commonly as the other species listed above.
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Coptotermes lactues
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Distribution: Commonly found in eastern NSW and ACT particularly prevalent along the entire coast-line, along the Great Dividing Range and western slopes.
Nest Location - this termite species, most often builds it's nest as a mound up to 2m above ground level, with hard clay walls, so control is easily effected once located by knocking the top off and insecticide treatment of the nest.
Destructive Nature - Coptotermes lacteus attacks stumps, dead trees, timber fences, poles and other timber structures that are in contact with the soil, being softened by weathering or decay. These termites are also known to attack such timber in damp sub-floor areas.
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Nasutitermes walkeri
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Distribution: Commonly found in eastern NSW particularly prevalent in the coastal and mountain regions along the entire eastern side of NSW.
Nest Location - Nasutitermes walkeri build their nest in trees on the main trunk or in the fork of a large branch.
Destructive Nature - Nasutitermes walkeri can be destructive to damp timbers often a serious problem where the sub-floor of a building is damp and ventilation is poor with resulting wood decay or fungal growth.
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Heterotermes ferox
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Distribution: Commonly found throughout NSW and ACT particularly in urban areas or where eucalypt gum trees are highly prevalent.
Nest Location - Heterotermes ferox often build their colony nest next to stumps, logs, or other timber in direct contact with the soil where some wood decay or rotting is prevalent.
Destructive Nature - Heterotermes ferox are destructive to damp timbers and are usually found attacking fences, poles and other timber structures subject to wood decay from weathering or from being in contact with the soil. This species is often confused with the more aggressive and destructive Coptotermes acinaciformis species. Correct identification is essential.
Dampwood termites form small independent nests which often attack sick or dead trees, decaying stumps or mouldy timber in the ground; they are seldom found in dry timbers in buildings.
Drywood termites occur mostly in tropical areas, where the atmospheric humidity is constantly above 75 percent. The introduced and highly destructive West Indian drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis, is rarely located in NSW. Specialist eradication procedures involve wrapping the entire building in plastic and using methyl bromide fumigation.
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