The first thing to understand about termites in Melbourne and indeed termites in Australia, is that the termites that cause the vast majority of damage to buildings are subterranean termites. This means they typically live and nest underground, often only coming above ground to feed. As a result, their nests are normally very well hidden and difficult to spot.
Where do subterranean termites build their nests?
There are 4 main locations for subterranean termite nests:
- Hidden: Completely underground / hidden
- Mounds: Underground nests, with a visible mound above ground
- In tree trunks: Nests build at the base of tree trunks
- Arboreal nests: Nest built high up in trees
Many termite nests are completely hidden underground – in the root balls of trees, under tree logs and rocks, or under homes! These nests are very difficult to find.
A number of termite species like to build their nests at the base of large trees and hollow out the tree trunk to build their nest. Sometimes these nests can be partially visible with some mudding visible around the base of the tree. However, they are often completely hidden within the tree trunk.
Other termite species build their nests underground but also build a visible mound above the surface. Sometimes, but not always they will be adjacent to a wood element – tree trunk, fence post, etc.
Some species of subterranean termites build arboreal nests – nests built in trees high off the ground. This may seem unusual for subterranean termites which live underground, but these nests still need a direct contact between the nest and the ground for the termites to access moisture and survive. They will be connected to the ground by galleries within the tree trunk on through mud tubes on the outside of the tree. These subterranean termites generally do not cause much damage to buildings.
How do termite professionals find termite nests?
When Termites VIC carry out a termite inspection or termite treatment, we are always looking for nests. Mounds and nests in the trees are easy to spot. Nests in tree trunks are more difficult to spot and if we suspect a tree may be housing a nest, we can investigate by drilling into the tree trunk and checking for termites. Hidden termite nests, by their nature, are generally impossible to find.
How do we get rid of termite nests?
If we can spot the termite nest, we will either physically destroy the nest and / or inject the nest with insecticide. We can check trees which we suspect may be housing a nest by drilling holes into the tree trunk and looking for termites, as well as checking the temperature inside the tree trunk, which could indicate the presence of a nest. We can then inject insecticide into the tree trunk or use termite baits to get rid of the nest. When we come to carry out a termite treatment and cannot find the nest, using termite baits is the best option as they can deliver colony elimination without us having to locate the nest.
Apart from termite mounds and arboreal nests, the more common hidden nests and tree trunk nests are very difficult for homeowners to spot. An annual professional termite inspection will help identify any nests on your property and ensure the necessary checks are carried out to make sure that termites from hidden nests are not attacking your home.