Where do Termites come from?

How do Termites appear out of nowhere!

Termites, often dubbed the “silent destroyers,” have a knack for making themselves known only after they’ve caused significant damage. But how do these tiny critters seemingly pop up out of nowhere?

Termites are constantly foraging around your house in subterranean tunnels that are usually only a foot under the ground. First, they might seek moisture in your home, like a leaky shower tray or dripping tap. But the main prize is all the edible timber in your house. Mean to say, termites regard your home as ‘one large tree’.

Should I panic about termites?

Have you just found evidence of termites in your home and wondered how they came in? You hadn’t seen any signs of termites, mud leads, or termite trails, but suddenly they appear in your home!

Why are Termites Everywhere!

1. Silent Workers: Termites are notoriously discreet and enter your home in a concealed manner. They operate in the dark, concealed spaces of your home like within walls, under floorboards, or in any other tiny crevice they can find. This means they can be feasting on your home’s structure for a long time before any obvious signs emerge.

2. Rapid Reproduction: One of the reasons termites seem to appear suddenly is their impressive rate of reproduction. A single termite queen can lay thousands of eggs daily, leading to large colonies forming quickly and discreetly. A couple of years ago, there might just not have been a termite nest near your home.

3. Swarmers: On the Gold Coast, from October to February, mature termite colonies release swarmers (Alates) – winged termites whose primary goal is to start new colonies. If you spot a group of winged insects inside or around your home, it’s possible they’ve been there for a while and are now seeking a place to set up home!

4. Underground Movement: Subterranean (under the ground) termites, are the most common type on the Gold Coast. They construct mud tubes to traverse between their underground home and their food source (your house!). These mud tubes protect them from predators and the environment, making their movement and presence hidden.

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5. Your home is a Timber Buffet for Termites: Once the termites have determined a timber structure above them, they will build subterranean tunnels from their nest to gain concealed entry. For them, your house is the trophy tree!

Your house is a 'Yummy Buffet' for Termites

There is a bonanza of timber in your home for the Termites to eat

Indeed, your home is like a treasure trove of timber for termites. With the average Australian home containing about 14.58 cubic meters of wood, it presents a vast resource for these wood-eating insects.

How much wood do Termites eat?

Termite workers eat about 5% of their body weight in wood daily. While this might seem small, it adds up quickly in a large colony with around a million workers. In such cases, a nest targeting your home can devour around 100 grams+ of wood each day.

Termites love to eat Hardwood

Termites will eat all types of timber, but they are super clever in sourcing the wood with the most desirable nutrients and cellulose. It’s all about efficient foraging and a balanced diet for the colony.

A big mistake Australian homeowners make is thinking their home is constructed with hardwood, when in fact, it is just plantation eucalyptus (gum trees). Yes, it is considerably harder than radiata pine, but it is highly desirable timber for termites to eat.

Eucalyptus timbers are the most effective wood to use in bait stations to attract termites. Not saying your home is a big bait station, but it is the ultimate feeding Buffett for termites.

Don't Panic - Get the Right Advice

Don’t wait until you see evidence of termites - Act now and get your home inspected

Termites don’t appear out of nowhere; they’ve usually been around for longer than you realize.

Regular home inspections and being aware of the subtle signs of their presence can help in early detection, preventing extensive damage to your home.

Remember, it’s always easier to tackle a termite problem in its early stages than after they’ve firmly established themselves.