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Media Release |
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Termite Swarm Season Dangerous For Home Owners
Monday, 08 November 2010 15:37
Victorian home owners have been warned of major termite swarms resulting from perfect breeding conditions of high moisture and a good food source fuelled by recent heavy rains.
Winged termites Major termite swarms were reported in the Dandenongs and Yarra Valley on Friday 22 October 2010. David Hallett, Victorian State Manager of Archicentre said, "often the first sign of a termite infestation is the sudden appearance of winged termites appearing in a home, ushering in the beginning of termite 'swarming' season with termites looking to start new colonies in homes. "Following a swarm of several hundred thousand winged termites, which usually lasts a few minutes, the swarmers fly a short distance, then fall to the ground and lose their wings". "The vast majority of swarmer termites die within a day or so of the swarm, leaving tell tale small piles of wings on window sills, countertops or floors, which provide a major alert to the home owner that they have termites present. "Soon after the swarm, females will emit a scent to attract male termites for mating and after pairing, the termites search for a location to begin a new colony nearby."
Mr Hallett said homeowners throughout Victoria should be on the lookout for tell tale signs of termite swarming to protect their properties from severe damage:
- Swarms of flying termites both inside and outside of the house.
- Small, papery piles of wings on window sills, counter tops or floors.
- Small piles of wood residue or shavings, as well as tiny holes in wood, crumbling dry walls or sagging doors.
- Bubbled paint or visible, pencil sized mud tubes running across concrete or connecting soil to wood.
Mr Hallett said that termite swarming is triggered by a combination of several successive days of above average temperatures followed by light rain. "Swarms activity varies geographically but occurs most often starting in the Spring - October to November and ends in Autumn - March to April. They can occur any time throughout the warm season". Mr Hallett said, Archicentre's pest inspectors have seen homes with up to $100,000 in termite damage that would not have been evident without a comprehensive inspection. However, they have also seen cases where people have spent thousands of dollars on pest treatments that were not needed. "It is critical that home buyers and home owners seek independent professional advice." "Home owners should take action to dry out sub-floors by increasing ventilation, removing debris and generally allowing more air to circulate". Mr Hallett said termite activity slows down in the winter, but new nests may be being established now which will lead to problems during spring and summer.
Termites (Coptotermes species) in a termite nest in a tree.
"Termites build mud shelter tubes, between 5mm and 50mm up stumps or piers and brick walls to connect their nests in the ground to the timber on which they are feeding".
"Home owners with concrete floor slabs should now be looking for early signs of termite attack such as mud tubes on the edges of concrete slabs and damaged skirtings and architraves."
"If you are in any way unsure about borers or termites, the house should be thoroughly checked by an independent expert".
Cost of Termites to Australian Home Owners
| Number of households in Australia | 7.2 million |
| Estimated number affected by termites | (9%) 650,000 |
| Average cycle time | 5 years |
| Estimated number of new attacks per annum | 130,000 |
| Average rectification cost | $7,000 - $8,000 |
| Estimated annual cost per annum | $1 billion |
Source: Archicentre Research
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Corporate Media Communications, Archicentre - Mobile: 0417 329 201