TERMITES IN ACTION – JANUARY 2017

Termites display some interesting behaviour with brickwork in this issue.

Follow the path of least resistance

Termites will often utilise ready-made structures to allow trails to be developed with reduced energy input. Alex Fayers from Specialist Termite Control in Melbourne saw this great example underneath a deck that had been destroyed by Coptotermes frenchi.

Coptotermes frenchi showing nice geometry – using pointing as ready-made trails

Chris Schmid from Abolish Termite and Pest Management in Brisbane, picked up this remarkable termite mudding. Were the termites off to check the meter box for a treatment sticker before deciding whether to attack this home?

Termite mud tubing following brick pointing to the meter box

Invasive inspections are worth the effort

Jaime Ackland from Action Pest Control in Braeside, Victoria had to cut a trap under the staircase to gain access to this sub-floor in a three year-old townhouse. “To my surprise I found a rather large nest under the home, in a suburb which has been designated ‘not a high risk termite area’ in Melbourne.” I guess the termites can’t read.

Coptotermes nest in the subfloor of a three-year-old townhouse

A non-pest termite

Daniel Heald from Termico Pest Management in Perth sent in this picture of a Drepanotermes species, probably D.rubriceps, found out at Dingo Rock, near Wongan Hills.

Drepanotermes soldiers

Also known as harvester termites (drepan means sickle), these termites gather grass, or in this case she-oak needles, and store them inside their irregular waist-high mounds.

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