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Australian Termite Identification Guide

australia owned and operated

Australian operated

Free on-site visist & quote

Free on-site visit & quote

Over 14,000+ homes protected

Over 14,000+ homes protected

5/5 stars is most frequent rating

5/5 stars is most frequent rating

termite protection 1 imageTermites if left untreated can cause serious, sometimes irreversible damage to your property. Many home owners fail to realise that home insurance does not cover structural damage caused by termites, which can result in huge financial losses.

This is why it’s imperative to have your home inspected often by qualified professionals such as Pest-Ex.

As a means of us helping out and doing our bit, we’ve put together this simple yet effective termite identification guide, which covers all Australian termites, along with breeding cycles, food they eat, their habitat and their destructive nature.

The risk of misidentification

Misidentifying termites can lead to some pretty costly outcomes. Over the years we’ve seen home owners, and other pest control companies misdiagnose termites as typical household ants, wasps, flying ants or otherwise which has led to preventable damage occurring.

This is why it’s always best to have qualified pest control technicians like Pest-Ex inspect your property.

If you have concerns, give us a call and we’ll perform an inspection on your property right away.

Correct identification ensures correct treatment

Correct identification by a qualified termite professional will ensure that the most effective measures are taken to not only remove the termites, but also prevent any further infestations. Failing to correctly diagnose the problem can often lead to further complications.

Again, if you’re not sure what you might have in your home, give us a call.

What termites look like

Most termites are very small in nature and are commonly mistaken for regular household ants. However as termites move through the various stages in their life cycle – from egg to adult, they can take on various forms and characteristics. Therefore, it’s possible that you may not know what they are at all.

In many cases they’re missed completely as they can be very hard to detect. Especially when travelling beneath sub structures, inside walls, underneath flooring or within roof voids and other internal cavities.

The following information outlines various life cycles of each type of termite, along with its appearance and characteristics to help you better understand each type of termite and what to look for.

Types of Termites – Australian Termite Identification

coptotermes termites 2 image

Coptotermes termites

Locations:

QLD, NSW, NT, TAS, VIC, WA, SA

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Coptotermes are considered Australia’s most destructive widespread termite. They nest underground in large colony’s and are a serious threat to any timber house or structure. Termite baiting is a common treatment for these termites.

schedorhinotermes termites 831x550 1 image

Schedorhinotermes termites

Locations:

NSW, QLD, NT

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Schedorhinotermes are highly destructive termites that consume hard and softwood timbers including homes, landscaping and old timber bridges. These termites are known to nest under home slabs or usually in the base of a tree root system.

termite wings

Flying Termites

Locations:

QLD, NSW, NT, TAS, VIC, WA, SA

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Flying termites are also known as elates “future kings and queens” They fly out of the colony and start reproduction. It is common after rain in afternoons to find these flying around doors and windows, if you see these its time for a termite inspection

coptotermes lacteus 2 image

Coptotermes lacteus

Locations:

QLD, NSW, NT, TAS, VIC, WA, SA

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Coptotermes lacteus (C. lacteus), or the milk termite, mound-building termite, or subterranean termite, is a species of Rhinotermitidae. Learn more here –> Coptotermes lacteus

Coptotermes Acinaciformis

Coptotermes acinaciformis

Locations:

QLD, NSW, NT, TAS, VIC, WA, SA

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Coptotermes Acinaciformis is a native Australian species of subterranean termite.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood Termites

Locations:

QLD, NSW, NT, TAS, VIC, WA, SA

Threat:

Moderate risk

Behaviour:

Dampwood Termitesis sometimes called the ‘rotten wood’ termite, dampwood termites are a species of the Termopsidae family.

Coptotermes Acinaciformis

Coptotermes frenchi

Locations:

VIC, NSW, QLD

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Coptotermes Frenchiis similar to Coptotermes acinaciformis, however is smaller and has smaller mandibles.

Schedorhinotermes Intermedius

Schedorhinotermes Intermedius

Locations:

QLD, NSW, VIC

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Schedorhinotermes Intermediusis a destructive species of termite has two types of soldier. These are named Major and Minor. They are very similar in appearance with only a few subtle differences.

Nasutitermes Walkeri Termite

Nasutitermes Walkeri Termite

Locations:

NSW, QLD

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Nasutitermes Walkeri Termite– These termites inhabit the woodland and bushland areas along coastal and mountain regions and are found in the north eastern areas of NSW and the SE region of Qld.

Nasutitermes Exitiosus Termite

Nasutitermes Termites

Locations:

QLD, NSW, NT, TAS, VIC, WA, SA

Threat:

Very high risk

Behaviour:

Nasutitermes Termites– The Nasutitermes exitiosus is a subterranean termite, and like other subterranean species, they undergo an incomplete metamorphosis, represented by egg, nymph, and adult

Heterotermes Ferox Termite

Heterotermes Termites

Locations:

QLD, NSW, NT, TAS, VIC, WA, SA

Threat:

Moderate to High

Behaviour:

Heterotermes Ferox Termite

This subterranean termite nests in timber on the ground, rotting wood, decking, poles, posts and fences, especially in decaying material.

Drywood Termites

Drywood Termites

Locations:

QLD, NSW, NT, TAS, VIC, WA, SA

Threat:

Moderate to High

Behaviour:

Drywood Termitesis a social insect that live within nests that are often referred to more commonly as colonies

 

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5 Star Google reviews from both Gold Coast & Brisbane locations

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Kent Bailey
11 months ago
Just had my home barrier treatment for termites by Pest Ex. In every way a brilliant job and fantastic friendly service unlike...read more anything else I have struck on the Gold Coast. This is a very professional company and every person involved was excellent in every way. Strongly recommend them to all who read this review because you won't do better.
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Christie McCabe
a year ago
On time. Efficient. Friendly. Informative. Well priced. Our experience with Pest-Ex was easy from the moment Reception answered our call. Our routine...read more pest inspection could be done the next day (a Saturday which is most convenient for full time workers). Karl arrived at 7am with a smile to complete the service and carried out the work efficiently informing us of the process where required. Thanks team.
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Chris Burt
2 years ago
Very professional and able to identify our pest problem on the spot. Was on time and great communication with admin girls via...read more phone. Very conscious of keeping our pet safe after the treatment which was a classy touch. Highly recommend!
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Phill
6 months ago
Great people and always helpful and providing a good service.
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Lorrie Cruickshanks
a year ago
Thank you to Garyn who first identified the issues, he was extremely thorough and prompt and then to John and Janine and...read more the team who treated and area and placed the baits. The process was fully explained and they were extremely courteous and very professional. Thank you to all the team. The office also kept us up to date with when their representatives would be visiting and this is very much appreciated. Great work.
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Donna Hamerton
a year ago
After reading reviews, I'm glad that I chose Pest-Ex. Maria in the office was more than understanding to accommodate me and times....read more I was able to get a booking the same day I made the enquiry. Garyn my technician was even able to come earlier. When he arrived he was happy to explain everything that was going to happen and how to work around my pets and children. Need pest control done - hire these guys.
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Phoebe Worth
2 years ago
Impressed with the service. The technician Steve was on time, friendly and thorough - you could tell he was not rushing the...read more job. Will be using Pest-Ex again. Thanks guys!
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Mickey Ketch
a year ago
This company actually investigates the problem instead of just spraying your place and leaving. Very HIGH knowledge and experience in what they...read more do. They took the time to investigate the cause, the source of the problem and elimnated it completely which included going through every cupboard, cracks hiding spots the lot. We had a cochroach problem in our apartment for 3 months and we had 4 different companies come out and NONE of them investigated they only sprayed. After we called PestEx, Mr. Phillips was very knowledgeable and experienced eliminating our problem entirely. We also use PestEx in our shop and both Mr Phillips and Marty are EXCELLENT in resolving and maintaining pest problems. HIGHLY RECOMMEND PEST EX. BEST I'VE SEEN IN QUEENSLAND.