Archicentre

Archicentre General Manager David Hallett said, "around Australia we have gone from a ten year drought to floods with high rainfall and warm temperatures creating a perfect storm for termite swarms".

"Major swarms have been seen in the Dandenongs and at Coldstream".

"The first sign of termite activity is the sudden appearance of winged termites 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 termites fly a short distance, then fall to the ground and lose their wings".

"The vast majority of swarming 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 timber.

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. Archicentre is increasingly being called in to independently inspect homes as it's advice is not linked to marketing commercial products.

"It is critical that home buyers and home owners seek independent professional advice.""Damp sub-floor conditions are conducive to termite activity and home owners should take action to dry out sub-floor spaces 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 build mud shelter tubes, between 5mm and 50mm in diameter up stumps or piers and brick walls to connect their nests in the ground to the timber on which they feed."

"If you are in any way unsure about borers or termites, the house should be thoroughly checked by an independent expert".

"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 or damaged skirtings and architraves."

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