Understanding Termites

Termites are related to Cockroaches and there is over 300 species in Australia, of which 8 species are considered to be pests. The pest species are all subterranean but have different breeding patterns, feeding patterns and life cycles. In South-East Queensland we have 4 major pest species and are all very different in their behaviour and habits. They are Schedorhinotermes intermedius, Coptotermes spp , Nasutitermes spp and Microcerotermes spp.

Because the pest species are subterranean, they enter your home without detection. The risk of attack is different from house to house. The Termites only need 1/16^th of a inch gap to gain entry into you home, they can also use wipe holes and alike. Termites only need two things, Moisture and food souses, they will take care of shelter themselves.

Schedorhinotermes intermedius Termites are one of the worst pest species on the East Coast of Australia and getting worse. Schedorhinotermes belong to what is known as multi-site nesters, they start in one nest and when the colony is large enough and they find a food and moisture source they start a new nest. The nest still remains linked with the start nest, numbers are very high and control is harder than other species. Schedorhinotermes are very destructive and prolific breeders, their behaviour makes them very successful. They are quite shy and skittish but very clever in many ways. They have been known to feed near other species and when the other species die out or move on they move in. When they come across a Termite tube or workings, the Solider will tap the tube and if they do not hear any noise in the tube or workings they move in. The Schedorhinotermes Soldiers herd the Workers in small numbers (6 to 12 approx) to and from feeding sites and nests or bivouac. When they move in they continue to feed on what the other species have been feeding on or what they have stored.      

Coptotermes spp Termites are the pest species that used to be the worst pest on the East Coast. They are very different to the Schedorhinotermes in behaviour and nesting habits. They are very aggressive and when disturbed the Solider Termite rushes to the brake in the working in numbers. They try to bite and shake their heads and exude a white material from a pore in their head.

They are known to belong to the central nesters. Central nesters have one nest and when food is found some distance from the nest they will use bivouac to transfer food and groom each other. Bivouac is a nest without a breeding pair. Coptotermes spp are very destructive and can cause excessive damage. Like the Schedorhinotermes the numbers are so large and the Queen lays up to 2000 eggs a day, they forage 24 hours, 7 days a week.       

Nasutitermes spp  Termites are hardwood eaters. The Solider is smaller then the Worker, but are very aggressive so much so that they could be considered to be more aggressive then the Coptotermes spp. Their nests are easily found often build arboreal nests on the side on a tree or post etc.

When disturbed the Soldiers arrive in higher numbers then even the Coptotermes spp and defend the workings aggressively. They have been known to enter homes and could cause substantial damage.

Microcerotermes spp Termites are similar to the Nasutitermes spp in that they build the same nests. This Termite is not aggressive nor shy and skittish. The numbers of Termite in a colony and the Queen are small. Very often found in fences and build nests on the ground, in trees, on posts and retaining walls and so forth. Large numbers of colony’s are found in the South-East Queensland.