PEST INSPECTIONS
TERMITE SPECIES

Termite Nest	A termite nest can contain several million termites. Termites build a nest that contains the queen and king, the nursery and a large proportion of the soldiers and workers. Some species build a hard-shelled mound above or partly below the ground. Others build their nests in the trunk of a tree or below ground in the root crown.
Coptotermes	Coptotermes acinaciformis is found throughout mainland Australia and causes more damage to property than any other species. It is aggressive in its search for food and will attack many items other than wood in its search for cellulose materials. It will damage wall lining boards, electrical wiring and even personal possessions. Colonies often nest in trees or stumps but can form nests without ground contact.
Nasutitermes	There are several species of Nasutitermes which may damage timber in service. Soldier termites of these species are distinguished by their pointed heads. Nasutitermes exitiosus usually builds a low mound and is more common across Southern Australia . Nasutitermes walkeri builds part of its colony as a nest on the branch of a tree; the rest is constructed in the ground beneath it. This genus will mainly attack hardwood such as that found in fences and timber decking.
Mastotermes	Mastotermes darwiniensis , the Giant Northern Termite, is the most primitive of the commercially significant species. It shows an ability for sub-colonies to split from the main colony and produce queens, without a mating flight. Eventually a network of interconnecting sub-colonies is established, which makes control difficult. These large termites can devastate buildings, bridges, poles, trees and crops such as sugarcane. Mastotermes is found mainly north of the Tropic of Capricorn.
Schedorhinotermes	These termites can cause damage approaching the severity caused by Coptotermes. They build fragile nests in places such as old tree trumps, in timber buried in the ground, in filled patios and under fireplaces. The damage they cause is distinctive. Although it can be severe it is often patchy, with huge gouges taken out of sound timber, particularly around nails in floor boards or other timbers. Schedorhinotermes colonies contain major and minor soldiers.
Heterotermes	Heterotermes spp. Are a significant structural pest through Queensland , northern WA and the NT. It is only in southern Australia where they are a minor nuisance. They are generally considered to do little damage to timber in service, restricting their attention to weathered timber fences, decking and posts. Occasionally they can cause superficial damage to sound timber.

CSIRO Termite Videos s

We are pleased to be able to present some very interesting videos on termites. What you will see are excerpts from a video compiled and presented by the CSIRO. The whole video (33 minutes long) can be purchased from CSIRO publishing (HERE)

Please note that we are not resellers for the CSIRO, not do we accept any commissions or cutbacks from the sale of the video.

There are no private agreements between OzInspections4You and the CSIRO regarding the sale of the video

Video 1 (2.4 MB)	Video 2 (5.2 MB)		Video 3 (6.7 MB)
Video 4 (5.2 MB)		Video 5 (7.1 MB)

"Licensing requirements for timber pest inspectors
vary from State to State"

BE CAREFUL there is no State Government Licensing in Australia of timber pest inspectors other than in Queensland. Anyone can set up business and operate as a Timber Pest Inspector in Australia (excepting Queensland). If you are buying a home be extra careful in your selection process.

The Inspector must be

1. Competent and experienced in identifying the different species of termites and other timber destroying pests.

2. Be fully insured in all areas relevant to Pest Inspections.

Ask questions and seek proof of the competency of the Pest Inspector.