Beware: the flight of the termite is now

18 November 2005

The next few weeks is a crucial time for detecting termite infestation in south-eastern Australia as swarms of the winged insects take to the sky, a University of New South Wales insect scientist has warned.

"Termites are, for the most part, a huge hidden problem," said Dr Chris Orton, Director of the Centre for Entomological Research and Insecticide Technology (CERIT) at UNSW. "The next few weeks are critical as this is the only time of year that the most destructive south-eastern Australian termites will be visible to many householders."

Mid-November to mid-December is the peak time for the normally subterranean termites, Coptotermes acinaciformis and Coptotermes frenchi to take flight, looking to mate and start new colonies. These winged reproductive insects are released in huge numbers from mature colonies with enough worker termites capable of eating away structural timbers and causing significant damage to buildings.

"If you see lots of flying insects near your house at this time, you should immediately have a good look around the building and yard to try to find out where they are coming from," Dr Orton said. "If you find them flying in great numbers from a hole in a tree or a building, it most likely means a nest of termites is living nearby and you need to have it checked out. From a distance, a flight of termites sometimes resembles a plume of smoke rising into the air.

"It is important not to disturb the nest, as any disruption may cause the termites to relocate to a nearby area. The best way to deal with the problem is to call a pest controller."

Statistics show that one in five Australian homes will be affected by termites at some point. Warm, tropical areas of Australia are particularly susceptible, as termites require a good source of water. "Raised concrete slabs and trees are favourite places for termites to nest as they provide damp, protected areas," Dr Orton said.

"The estimated annual cost of repair and treatment of termite damage in Australia is between $700 and $800 million per year. Now is a crucial time for people to spot the source of the winged insects and address the problem while it is visible. The key message is - if you see termites flying from a point in or near your house, you need to collect some samples of the insects and seek professional help."

Contact details: Dr Chris Orton, Director of CERIT, ph 9385 0347, email c.orton@unsw.edu.au
Media contact: Sarah Wilson, UNSW Media unit, ph 9385 8079, mob 0412 413 923, email sarah.wilson@unsw.edu.au