What time of year are termites active?
What time of year are termites active?
spring
Most species of subterranean termites swarm during the spring and summer months, typically on a warm day with calm winds after a rainfall. Drywood termites and one particular species of subterranean termite (R. hageni) typically swarm during the late summer or fall months, from August through November.
Are termites common in Victoria?
Termites occur throughout Victoria, with a high incidence of attack in virtually all urban areas. Fascinating biology: Australian subterranean termites evolved more than 250 million year ago.
Is termite common in Melbourne?
Termites are found in Melbourne and throughout all of Victoria, all too often, the presence of these home invaders goes undetected until damage is discovered by chance.
Are termites a problem in Melbourne?
Termites thrive in conditions that are both warm and moist. The Melbourne summers are particularly ripe for a destructive termite infestation. Termites like tunnelling through the soil so when the soils are moist, the work of tunnelling underground and into homes becomes a lot easier for them.
Where do termites go in the winter?
Termites live in the winter, but do so deep underground in most cases. For example, subterranean termites create nests in the soil. As the weather gets colder, termites dig further into the ground, where temperatures remain warmer.
Do termites come out during the day?
Subterranean termites swarm during the day, particularly after rainfall. They’re most active in the spring. Invasive Formosan termites swarm at night and are generally at their peak in the late spring and summer. Drywood termites are also active at night, especially around lights.
How long does it take termites to destroy a house?
When a termite colony infests a home, it can take around three years for the damage to be noticeable. As mentioned above, the rate of damage depends on the size of the colony. If the colony is big enough, all the wood components in your house can be destroyed within eight years.
Where are termites found Victoria?
This is Victoria’s largest species of termite, sometimes called dampwood termite. They are usually found nesting in large pieces of timber (particularly older trees) and are most common in wet, mountainous areas. They may, however, also be found in the dry foothills of Melbourne.
How do I get rid of termites in Melbourne?
The best treatment depends on your property’s location, size and construction, the extent of the infestation, and the type of termites. While spray, foam and dust treatments can remove small infestations, barrier and baiting treatments can remove large colonies and prevent future invasions.
How do you know if house has termites?
Keep an eye out for the following signs of termite activity:
- Discolored or drooping drywall.
- Peeling paint that resembles water damage.
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- Small, pinpoint holes in drywall.
- Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards.
- Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.
What attracts termites to my house?
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
Where do termites live in Victoria?
Coptotermes frenchi. Commonly found throughout Victoria; the most prevalent destructive termite species in the Gippsland and other regions where eucalypt gum trees are present. They are highly active in Melbourne and other urban areas in Victoria, where buildings are constructed of softwood or oregon timber framing.
Does home insurance cover termites in Australia?
Termites cause more damage to homes in Australia than fire, floods, storms and tempest, combined. Home insurance does NOT cover the repair costs of damage caused by termites to a home or commercial building. Termites occur throughout Victoria, with a high incidence of attack in virtually all urban areas.
Do termites live in trees?
Some species of termites found in trees, for example, will not attack dry seasoned timbers in a building, whilst others can be are highly destructive to such buildings in a short amount of time. Commonly found throughout Victoria – particularly in urban areas or where eucalypt gum trees are highly prevalent.
What is a subterranean termite?
Subterranean termites or “white-ants” are a highly destructive timber pest, causing major structural timber damage to domestic and commercial buildings in Victoria. A major economic pest: Recent industry surveys suggest about one third of all unprotected properties in Victoria are subject to attack by subterranean termites.