TERMITE CONTROL MELBOURNE
Termites are often wrongly referred to as white
ants, however, as they are neither white, nor
ants, this term should not be used. Termites are in fact, closely related to cockroaches.
The digestive system of termites contains a
variety of micro-organisms which assist in the
digestion of the plant fibre cellulose. Over 350 species of termites are found in Australia, of which only approximately 20 commonly cause
damage to buildings, 5 in Victoria alone.
Although termites are generally considered to
be destructive timber pests, they play
important ecological roles, providing nest holes
for lizards, birds and possums, assisting in the
breakdown of organic matter, returning nutrients to soil, and assisting with soil aeration.
Castes
Termites are social insects, living and working together within nests or colonies of various sizes.
Termites take several different forms. Each form, or caste, has different functions to perform within the colony. They communicate
by smell and touch.
Alates
Alates, meaning ‘winged ones’, are the true adult termites. They have eyes, wings, darker colouring and are fertile. Their wings are twice the length of their body and are shed after the colonising flight is made. Shed wings are a good indication of termite presence.
Reproductives
The reproductives live in a central chamber in the nest where the female, or “Queen”, will lay many thousands of eggs each year over her life span of approximately 10 years. The male, or “King”, is responsible for fertilising the Queen. The reproductives exist as one of two possible forms. The macropterous King and Queen made
the colonising flight as alates and established a new colony after they shed their wings. A macropterous reproductive can therefore be
identified by the presence of retained wing bases (little triangular stubs on the thorax). The supplementary reproductives, occur as a
result of the death or deterioration of the macropterous reproductives. Supplementaries arise from among the younger, wingless reproductives developing within the colony, therefore lack any evidence of wing bases.
Soldiers
Soldiers have darker, larger heads than the other castes. They are blind, wingless, and have undeveloped reproductive organs.
Soldiers are tougher than the other castes and take longer to die from most toxins, exposure, or starvation. It is their responsibility to defend the colony, if disturbed, while the damage is repaired by the workers. Soldiers exist in different forms. Most species have mandibulate soldiers, with well developed jaws used to crush attackers, such as ants. Nastute soldiers occur in Nasustitermes species and are only rarely found in Victoria. They have a snout from which they eject a sticky solution which irritates and glues attackers. Phragmotic soldiers have a very large head which can be wedged in tunnels to block attackers.
Workers
The workers account for the largest number of termites within the colony and are therefore responsible for the most damage.
They are responsible for gathering food, grooming other termites, constructing tunnels and repairing damage, in addition to tending to the Kings, Queens, and their young. These termites are believed to work 24 hours a day throughout their 4-year life span.
Worker termites are generally unpigmented. They are blind, wingless and have undeveloped reproductive organs.
Eggs and young
Termites hatch from eggs that have been tended by their nest mates in specially constructed nurseries. As soon as they are old enough,
the young work within the colony where jobs change with age and maturity.
Colonising Flight
Once a single colony becomes sufficiently large it produces winged reproductives which wait in specially constructed chambers until ready to leave the nest and undertake a colonising flight.
They leave the nest as a swarm under conditions of high humidity, still air, and low light.
Termites are not strong fliers and usually only fly up to 1km, although breezes and updrafts can carry them a lot further.
Upon landing near a suitable nest site, the female emits a calling scent and males quickly respond.
She selects a nesting site and excavates a chamber in which she and her chosen King mate and take care of their young until the
workers develop and take over.
New colonies are sometimes established via budding. This is believed to occur when the extremities of the colony lose contact and become independent.
The Primary King and Queen are believed to emit hormones which suppress the sexual development of rest of the colony, however this
control breaks down if the territory is too large or contact with groups is lost.
Habitat
The conditions maintained within a termite colony are such that the termites are not normally at risk of moisture loss as a result of the exposure of their soft, thin cuticle to an harsh dry external environment.
The temperature within the nursery of a large nest ranges between 10°C and 35°C but rarely varies more than one degree a day. The relative humidity is approximately 100%. The moisture required to maintain the temperature and humidity is obtained from the soil, leaking plumbing or decaying timber.
Lifecycle
The lifecycle of a termite consists of four stages of development with young termites developing into four different castes. The temperature, food quality, and activity of the colony affects the interval over which termites develop from egg to adult.
Termites develop by moulting or shedding their outer cuticle once a growth period ceases.
The Queen, adds a new set of ovaries at each moult so that her abdomen eventually becomes quite large, a condition referred to as physogastry.
Shortages of a particular caste create a hormonal imbalance within the colony. This is then corrected by the development of more young termites into that caste.
Control Methods
Where possible, it is preferable to control colonies before installing remedial barriers.
Dusts
The use of fine dusts as a treatment method exploits the habits of termites as they ingest and distribute the insecticide among the colony during grooming.
Arsenic trioxide dust has been used since the1930’s, often with the addition of ferric oxide oranother colourant. However, arsenic trioxide is a highly poisonous elemental pesticide which does not degrade.
Insect growth regulator dusts (such as triflumuron), non-repellent termiticides or commercial baiting systems provide a safer option for both applicator and consumer.
Chemical Barrier
Barrier treatments attempt to isolate the termite colony from the building under attack. The purpose of barriers according to Standards
Australia is to work against the termites being able to enter a building unseen. Chemical barriers seek to achieve this through the application of a pesticide around the exterior of the structure which is intended to provide a zone or band of toxic soil. A chemical barrier should be unbroken ensuring that the termites cannot find a point of entry. This involves trenching around foundations, and the injection of the chemical into the soil through holes drilled in concrete where
necessary. Repellent chemicals, such as bifenthrin, are commonly used but the barrier must be complete and continuous for effective control. Non-repellent termiticides such as imidacloprid and fipronil are also used, and may be more resilient where coverage is uncertain, such as where rod injection is required. Termites work through the treated soil unaware that they are picking up a toxic dose and will die without the colony becoming aware of the risk. This tends to greatly reduce the termite population and may result in colony death. barrier prior to building construction. Bifenthrin is commonly used for this purpose with imidacloprid often used for the exposed perimeter of a new structure.
Physical Barrier
Physical barrier treatments attempt to isolate the termite colony from the building under attack so that their only method of entry is over a designated perimeter inspection zone. In practice, termites will avoid constructing shelter tubes up the side of walls unless
provided with ample water or additional shelter, so physical barriers provide a least-toxic means of termite management for new buildings.
Strip Shielding
Metal ant caps are often seen on the tops of stumps under suspended timber floors. These don’t actually prevent termite attack. However, if installed properly, the termites will have to construct an obvious mud tube over the cap to penetrate the building. These tubes are easily identified during an inspection. Similarly, metal sheeting is often used through brick piers and masonry walls to force termites to the outside.
Granite Aggregate
Crushed granite of a particular particle shape and size range, is also used as a physical termite barrier. The termites are unable to
penetrate the granite as the particles are too large and heavy for them to move. Granite is most often used with concrete slabs where it is applied around pipes and behind the lower bricks at the building perimeter.
Stainless steel mesh
Marine grade stainless steel mesh may also be used as a physical barrier to termites. The size of the mesh openings is small enough to
prevent the termites passing through. Mesh is commonly glued to slabs and masonry may be also be used around pipes through slabs.
Chemically Impregnated sheet
Presently only one type of chemically impregnated sheet is used in Victoria. It consists of deltamethrin applied to a geotextile which is sandwiched between two layers of polythene. Deltamethrin acts as a repellant, preventing termites chewing through the barrier.
If the barrier is broken termites may gain access to the building.
Reduced timber risk
Timber at risk can be reduced by controlling moisture, using resistant timbers below floor level, avoiding timber in ground contact or using non-timber elements such as concrete masonry and steel. It is important to note that CSIRO research has identified that attack rates on homes is independent of frame type and steel-framed homes are also attacked as termites invariably find other food sources
inside.
Bait
Termite baits stations provide a means to collect samples for species identification, and monitor termite activity in addition to assisting
in termite control.
Bait stations consist of containers of cellulose materials such as timber and paper which are either buried in the ground near the building under attack or carefully placed inside near known damage.
Bait toxins must be undetectable. For this reason permethrin is not suitable as it is strongly repellent. Care must be taken not to
cross contaminate baits with even tiny residues of other pesticides.
As this method of control does not isolate the building from the colony, termites are still able to access the structure and baits are not ideal for long-term structural protection.
Naturally Resistant Timber
Certain species of timber are naturally resistant to termite attack. However, not all timber of a resistant species will be equally resistant and so while these timbers may be used in ground contact or sub-floor, strip shielding is still needed to isolate them from the structure
above. Re-growth timbers of resistant species are generally less resistant than old-growth timbers and plantation grown timbers may be even less so.
Chemically treated Timber
Timber treated with CCA (copper, chromium and arsenic) is widely used, but has been tagged by the APVMA as a product to watch and
may not be widely used for much longer. Other treatments, especially quaternary ammonium compounds are gradually replacing the arsenic components and have a similar green appearance.
Advice to Clients
Termites require water to maintain the high humidity within the nest in addition to food, or wood. By removing these needs homeowners
can do their part to prevent these pests from becoming a problem in their home. PCOs should suggest ways in which this can be achieved including:
• ensuring soil is not in contact with susceptible building timbers or impinging upon inspection zones
• ensuring subfloors are well ventilated and remain dry
• using only resistant timbers below floor level
• avoiding storage of wood in contact with the soil under, or around buildings
• improving drainage and fixing leaky plumbing in order to reduce available soil moisture.
Common Species
It is important to correctly identify the type of pest termite before beginning treatment as the location of the nest and other habits of the colony will indicate the most appropriate method.
As the soldiers of each colony possess such prominent features the termite species is most easily identified by examination of an individual of this caste.
Coptotermes
This genus of termites is widely distributed throughout Victoria.
They are responsible for more than 80% of the termite damage caused to buildings.
Coptotermes build nests in trees, favouring eucalypts, stumps, under concrete flooring, in wall cavities, or enclosed verandahs.
More than a million termites may be present within a single colony, however, half a million is a more commonly encountered maximum size.
These termites usually travel at least 50m from the colony in search of food via a series of underground tunnels.
Coptotermes acinaciformis tend to recruit strongly to new food sources and respond strongly to baits.
Coptotermes frenchi tend to explore widely for new food sources and often feed lightly at multiple points. They respond much less
strongly to baits.
The soldier caste of Coptotermes is mandibulate with simple brown saber-like jaws. Soldiers measure between 3.5mm and 6.5mm in length.
When disturbed these soldiers eject a white rubbery glue-like substance from their pearshaped heads as a defence mechanism.
Nasutitermes
The Nasutitermes are widely distributed throughout Australia, however, these species are of minor importance in Victoria.
Nasutitermes exitiosus is common north of the divide. They construct dark, thin-walled mound nests between 30cm and 75cm above ground.
These mounds are generally up to 1m in diameter.
The nasute soldiers of this genus are easily identified, particularly as they tend to appear when tunnels are damaged, rather than hiding
inside like other pest types.
Porotermes adamsoni
This species of dampwood termite is commonly found nesting in large pieces of timber, particularly older trees, and is most common in mountainous areas. However, Porotermes are also commonly found in the dry foothills of Melbourne.
Porotermes are much larger than the other pest species, but tend to live in smaller colonies and do not construct shelter tubes or travel far underground. The colony will often die once discovered and dried, although remedial timber preservatives such as boron salts are often
used to ensure control.
Schedorhinotermes
This genus occurs throughout Australia but is only found in the north of Victoria.
Schedorhinotermes are destructive and relatively nomadic, rather than maintaining a fixed central nest.
A mature colony of Schedorhinotermes will have mandibulate soldiers of two distinct sizes, referred to as “major” and “minor”.
The major soldiers are up to 5.6mm in length while the minor soldiers are only 3.6mm. The absence of major soldiers indicates that the
colony is either weak or young.
Heterotermes ferox
Heterotermes are widely distributed throughout Australia, however, they are not considered to be a major pest species except in the Northern Territory.
The small colonies attack fence posts, timber flooring, and paling
fences within a small radius of the nest.
Heterotermes ferox specialize in feeding on small timbers on the soil surface and as a result are very commonly found.
The soldiers of this species are up to 4.75mm in length with long, dark jaws and distinctly long parallel-sided heads.
Produced By
Department of Human Services
Regulatory Compliance and Review Unit
GPO Box 1670N
Melbourne 3001
Phone (03) 9637 4156
Facsimile (03) 9637 4507
Department of Human Services
Coptotermes picture copy write CSIRO
The above information is from the Department of Human Services website.
www.health.vic.gov.au/pestcontrol.
It is provided on this website for information purposes only.
If you have a termite problem in Melbourne, Victoria call Pro Team Pest Control.
CSIRO has done extensive research on termites and estimates that 650,000 Australian homes have been infested by termites over the last five years. The cost of treatment and repair of the resultant damage has been estimated at $3.9 billion.
For more information about termites visit: www.csiro.au
Home insurance does not cover termite infestation so it is up to you to ensure your home is safe. That's were we can help.
Termites can do major damage to homes and buildings both structurally and ascetically.
Pro Team Group provide a complete termite treatment service which is custom-made to suit your home design, construction method, the termite infestation or risk, you and your family. Once we have completed the successfully termite treatment we can replace all damage materials this can include structural timber members, plasterboard, flooring and wall cladding.
All building works are to Australian Standards and completed by professional tradesmen and licensed building practitioners.
Pro Team Group are accredited Termidor and Exterra applicators and operators our termite treatments include: Termidor and Exterra
Termite Treatment – TERMIDOR
Termites are increasingly causing major structural damage to buildings throughout Australia and striking fear into the hearts of homeowners. Attacking in large numbers, termites can feed to the point of leaving only a thin timber veneer, and this can happen in a matter on months. With the home so often the major family asset, and termite infestation being essentially uninsurable, homeowners are desperately seeking reliable protection against termites.
After many years of patient research the solution has finally arrived... TERMIDOR
Termite Control
TERMIDOR is the newest termite control product on the market in Australia. Since its release in 2002, Termidor has rapidly grown to become one of the leading termite control products on the Australian market.
TERMIDOR is applied as a treatment to the soil surrounding existing structures. Traditionally these types of applications are referred to as chemical barriers, although in the case of Termidor, the chemical does not act in the same way as many older chemicals. Rather than a barrier that repels termites, Termidor acts as a non-repellent treated zone, which allows termites to enter and therefore more efficiently killed.
Termidor is undetectable to termites. Termites will actually enter the treated zone, where Termidor binds to their cuticle. Once this has occurred, it is only a matter of time before they are killed. And time is not on their side.
Termidor’s unique Transfer Effect™ ensures that the Termidor is passed from one termite to the next and as a result even termites that have not directly come into contact with the treated soil can pick up a lethal dose.
Extensive testing with Termidor under Australian conditions where termites were present in the structure showed control within nine weeks, with an average of 4.3 weeks to achieve control. However, not only will Termidor kill termites that are present, it will also prevent concealed entry to structure for a minimum period of 8 years for ALL TERMITE SPECIES – a claim no other termite control product can make.
For further details contact the Termidor Hotline on Freecall 1800 006 393
The "Transfer Effect™"
Termidor kills termites through contact and ingestion. Because Termidor is non-repellent, termites unknowingly ingest the product when they eat. Also, since termites can't detect Termidor, they go about their routine activities. So even if termites are not feeding, Termidor will still kill via contact.
Thanks to Termidor's unique "Transfer Effect™", termites don't even need to come into contact with the treated soil to die. Termites that do come into direct contact with Termidor subsequently pick up the product on their bodies and serve as carriers who then transfer Termidor to other termites. These secondarily affected termites can also pass Termidor on through feeding or contact.
Termidor controls termite populations faster than any other termiticide, especially bait/monitoring systems but is relatively slow acting in individual termites. Therefore, termites have ample time to spread Termidor to their nest ates before dying. This is the beauty of Termidor's unique "Transfer Effect".
The Truth About Non-Repellent Termiticides
The difference is not just the performance. Currently, there are two non-repellent, soil applied, liquid termiticides registered in Australia for Post-Construction use.
A common mistake is that homeowners are told that these two products are basically the same and they behave in a similar manner, both biologically and in the soil. This is simply not true! Below are the key differences that make TERMIDOR the most efficient termiticide in the world today.
1) More easily transferred from one termite to another
Both non-repellent termiticides can be passed from one termite to another. However, studies clearly show that TERMIDOR is transferred much more efficiently throughout a termite population.
This is the beauty of the “Transfer Effect™”.
2) Slower intoxication adds to the “Transfer Effect™”
Termites that come in contact with TERMIDOR behave completely normally for a 24-hour period before dying. This period when the termites behave normally after encountering TERMIDOR allows transfer of the product to thousands of other termites through contact and grooming.
3) Is your termiticide where you left it?
TERMIDOR has a very low water solubility. Therefore, once it has been applied, it stays in the soil where it was applied. This is one of the reasons why TERMIDOR is registered for a minimum of 8 years protection for all termite species. The other non-repellent products are registered for much less periods of time.
The Bottom Line
TERMIDOR’S unique combination of transferability between termites, low water solubility and slower mode of action make it the most efficient termiticide on the market today. When you need to protect what may be your biggest investment...
If you're not asking for Termidor, you're asking for trouble.
The above information is from www.termidor.com.au
Termite Treatment – EXTERRA
Pro Team Group is a Exterra Termite Colony Extermination authorised operator because it is not only 100% guaranteed but environmentally safe for your family, pets, plants and home.
Exterra is a bait system that not only keeps termites out of your home but eliminates them completely.
Focus is a natural, non-toxic, food based additive that is added to Exterra In-ground Stations. Once in contact with the soil it works with soil micro-organisms to slowly release a small, precisely determined amount of attractant carbon dioxide (CO2) into the soil.
Termites Love CO2. It might not be a gourmet flavour to us, but CO2 certainly attracts termites, University research has proven it. Termites are attracted to levels of CO2 that mimic those naturally given off by both rotting wood and termite nests, so the CO2 in the soil directs termites to potential feeding sites. The Focus in your Exterra Station is doing its job, directing the termites to an Exterra Station. So with Focus producing an engineered concentration of CO2 that attracts termites directly to the large Exterra Stations, you know your home is optimally protected.
CSIRO studies show that quite simply and obviously, the larger the monitoring station, the quicker any termites in your garden will find it, instead of your house! So with Focus Termite Attractant producing a naturally engineered concentration of CO2 that attracts termites directly to the large Exterra Station, you know your home is being optimally protected.
Exterra Stations are nearly four times larger than most other Stations, so once the termites start to follow the CO2 trail they quickly find the Exterra Stations. Focus produces a two metre radius "termite interception zone"around the large Exterra Stations, which means that when a termite comes within two metres of your Exterra Station it will be attracted by just the right amount of CO2 and eagerly and happily follow the gourmet trail into the Exterra Station. That means its last supper time and the colony is eliminated, keeping your home safe.
THE ONLY baiting system that creates a complete Termite Interception Zone around your home!
The above information is from www.exterra.com.au
If you have a termite problem or think you may have a termite problem in Melbourne, Victoria call Pro Team Pest Control.
CALL: 9855 2493
For more information email Pro Team Group
Pro Team group operate across Melbourne, Victoria providing termite management solution, termite treatments, termite baiting, termite inspections and termite advise.
The information on this website is for information purposes only.
For professional advise call Pro Team Group.