Reference Manual - Pest Control

← Back to document page

Reference facts Australia has approximately 300species of termite, of which about15 are likely to cause damage tothe structural timbers of houses. Termites are more closely relatedto cockroaches than ants. Of the three groups of termites(dampwood, drywood andsubterranean), subterraneanspecies cause by far the mostdamage to timber in service. The most common areCoptotermes, Schedorhinotermes,Nasutitermesand the giantnorthern termite Mastotermesdarwiniensis. Some species of timber areresistant to termites, but none is termite-proof. In practice, anystructure containing wood isexposed to possible subterraneantermite invasion unless protectivemeasures are taken. Termites will often damagematerials they cannot digest suchas plastics, rubber, metal or , this damage occurs whenthe indigestible items areencountered in the termites' search for food.

Termite facts • Australia has approximately 300 species of termite, of which about 15 are likely to cause damage to the structural timbers of houses.

  Step