Australia « Geoffs Life After Work !

Little Buggers ! aka White Ants ..an interest from me

I have lived over 30 yrs in Australia and have witnessed first hand the damage White Ants can do to property if NOT looked after !! I have taken “bits” from the Internet via Google Travelling around Australia we have seen 1000,s of Ant Hills that at times tower above me !! Having just visited our local Botanic Garden and observing what these little “buggers” can do I am interested on what these Ants are about so with a little Plagiarism here is the result of my research

Termites are the only members of the insect order Isoptera. They are commonly known as “White Ants”.
However termites are not even closely related to ants. Ants have eyes, a constricted waist and dark bodies, whereas most worker and solder termites are blind, have no constriction and are creamy in colour. There are more than 300 species found in Australia but only about 30 could be considered to be pests of timber in service. Of these, the subterranean termites are the most significant, with about 12 species being serious pests. The termite diet is centred around cellulose-based materials. These can include the timber used in constructing buildings but could also include furniture, paper materials and fabrics. These termites can also damage non-cellulose materials such as polystyrene and plasterboard or the plastic coatings on electrical wiring.

What to do to kill of the “Little Buggars”

The home owner can discourage termites by remembering these facts:

termites are attracted to wood, so remove potential termite food away from buildings – their food can include timber stacks, old stumps, building refuse, garden decoration such as sleepers and logs
waste timber from construction activities is often left in place or stored under the house – remove all timber formwork
timber can be treated to prevent termite attack, and some timbers are naturally resistant – use treated or naturally resistant timber when it is in contact with, or close to, soil
termites are attracted to water, so fix leaking water pipes, drains, showers, sinks etc, plus capture water from air conditioning units
termites prefer humid conditions, so keep air under the house dry by improving sub-floor ventilation, drainage and access
termites cannot chew through properly laid concrete, so ensure concrete slab is properly designed, compacted, and cured
termite colonies can sometimes be located – it is possible to eliminate colonies by killing the reproductives (the queen and the king).

Regular inspections are the most important part of controlling termites before they do any damage. Therefore:

arrange regular inspections – at least once a year in cooler areas and twice a year in warmer areas
inspect during periods of high termite activity – early spring to late summer is generally the best
keep the edges of the house (slabs, foundation, piers and stumps) clear of clutter, including garden beds and vegetation
professional pest controllers are trained in inspecting houses for termite activity – use their services
home owners can inspect houses themselves more frequently than a professional, if they can identify termite activity.