Wow!!What a week as far as termite activity in Sydney, the annual colonising flights of lots of species of termites started this week in earnest. Reports were heard that flights had taken place in almost all suburbs.We had only four reported flights that were coming from nesting sites inside peoples homes, however many people were very concerned that individual and in some cases masses of "flying ants" were entering their homes.There is very little immediate danger when a termite flies into your home. The colonising flight is for just that purpose, for termites to leave the original nest and find a mate and set up a new colony. To do this they have to fulfill several basic requirements,
1. Shelter, like most creatures termites need somewhere to set up their home base. This will often be nearby to their feeding site for ease of access. Remember at this point their are often only two members of the colony until they can start to produce young. Once the queen establishes herself she can lay up to 2000 eggs per day.
2. Food, a cellulose based one preferably, this gives a wide variety of items that are a target. cardboard boxes, books any stored or waste timbers, mulch, houses, posts, fences, telegraph poles, retaining walls, trees, stumps and pretty much anything that can provide them with sustenance.
3. Moisture, a very important and often overlooked point. Termites need a lot of moisture to sustain them. Prime points around a home for termites to gain access to a continual moisture source are, hot water system overflow pipes (they drip) leaking taps, leaking gutters or pipes, poorly drained areas, areas that have little chance of being accessed because of size restrictions or stored goods being present.
If you see termite alates around there is a chance that they will set up a new colony! Be smart and have a termite inspection carried out by a competent inspector. Choose a member of the AEPMA, the peak industry association and employ a Pestcert accredited company.
Pestec 1800 111 616 www.pestec.com.au
