Spring Termite Swarmers Sydney

Spring Termite Swarmers Sydney
Spring Termite Swarmers Sydney

Found Flying Ants or Termites?

 

With Spring just a few days away generally speaking most people would be envisioning warmer days & the flowers that are due to bloom.

In the pest control industry spring means the start of our peak season when insects are coming out of hibernation and their winter hiding spots.

Additionally, the biggest pest threat to Australian homes during Spring is termites!

Termites are an insect that have survived millions of years, they are social in their behaviour and they live in colonies that are usually located in the ground or in wood.

Furthermore, termites cause billions of dollars in property damage each year and not to mention often home owners insurance does not cover termite attacks.

As a matter of fact, termites typically remain out of site damage can go unnoticed for years which is why it is essential for homeowners to understand the social structure of a termite colony.

With this in mind home owners should realise that in spring when the temperature rises the young male and female swarmers leave their nests in large groups in search of a site to set up home.

The female releases an odour known as a mating pheromone to entice male termites. When a male finds a female they break off their wings that symbolises that they are a couple.  The most compelling evidence of this is when customers call informing us they have located discarded wings in areas around their house.

The newly joined couple need to seek out a location to start their nest, where they will become the king and queen of the new colony.

What do Termite Swarmers Look Like?

 

Termite alates or swarmers can look like flying ants. There is a simple way to determine if the flying ants you are seeing are termites or flying ants, and this is simply by how many body sections there are.

As can be seen in the image below – Termite alates have 2 body sections while standard flying ants have 3.

Termite Swarmer

Differences in appearance and behaviour between ants and termites:

 

  • Termites have a straight waist, ants have a pinched waist.
  • Ants have bent antennae, termites have straight antennae,
  • Termites wings are the same length, ants have wings of different length.

NOTE: 

  • Flying ants do not shed their wings.
  • In the event that you have seen flying ants or have found discarded wings, you may have identified termites in your property.

Pest Control Today highly recommends that you should be conducting annual termite inspections.

In the hope that you can prevent a termite invasion ask yourself Is it time for a termite inspection?

Further Reading

Termites

Termite Barriers

Pre Construction Termite Treatments

Termite Treatments

Termite Inspections

Pre Construction Termite Protection Sydney

 

Pest Control Today Sydney

Each property, building and location is different, a customised management solution should be designed to suit your specific needs.

We would love to find out more on how we may be able to help you.

Click to call or contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Pest Control Today

Why Is Winter Pest Control Important In Sydney

Winter Pest Control in Sydney
Winter Pest Control Sydney

Winter Pest Control Sydney

 

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To bust a common misconception, winter is a major pest season. Just because you can’t see flies flying, you can’t feel mosquitoes biting & you are not disturbed by the site of cockroaches or spiders does not mean your home is free from pests.

When the temperature drops outside, especially overnight and early morning in Sydney, the bugs and rodents get cold and worried, so they will begin to seek shelter from the harsh external temperatures.

Your home becomes their winter sanctuary since it is warm & full of food, which is perfect for pests.

What does overwintering mean?

 

The term overwintering simply means to survive the winter. Overwintering pests are the pests that are seeking warmth to either survive the colder months or the pests that enter a period of hibernation.

It is common to see pests during winter that are moving into a higher traffic living area. The areas that attract the most sunlight or become the warmer areas in your home are common places that pests during winter are seen.

The insects that hibernate are more than likely to stay hidden during the colder months, but once the weather starts to warm up spring comes around these bugs will begin to emerge.

The dangers of waiting until pests emerge in the warmer months, is the level of infestation where a small issue could have been resolved quickly instead of dealing with a full-blown infestation which could put your families’ health at risk and cause damage to your home and belongings.

What are some Common winter pests – Winter Pest Control Sydney

 

Rodents

 

Rats & mice like us seek warmth and comfort during the colder months in Sydney. Many homes opt to light a wood fire to warm their homes and rodents can easily cosy up to the many possible hiding places in your home.

As rats and mice make their nests inside wall cavities, roof voids and other warm dry places spotting their nests may be difficult.

Most people realise they have a rodent issue either by seeing their droppings, actually seeing the rat or mouse or seeing the destruction they have left behind in their travels.

The damage that rats and mice can cause go beyond just getting into your food, as their teeth grow throughout their life they need to gnaw (chew on things to keep their teeth short). As rats and mice are not picky with what they choose to chew on and have been known to chew on items such as timber, cladding and electrical wiring, which increases the risk of fires.

Termites

 

Termites or also commonly known as white ants do not hibernate during winter. They remain active all year round and can cause serious damage to your home.

German Cockroaches

 

German cockroaches are a serious problem across Australia, and as they need easy access to water and food their preferred residence is your beloved kitchen!

As they have a sneaky nature they can often go unnoticed as they do prefer to venture out at night when all the lights are off and they are able to find many hiding places.

Winter is an important time for cockroaches as this is when they breed. At the start of winter, the sight of one or two cockroaches may not be alarming to some by spring or summer you may have a full-blown infestation on your hands.

Further Reading

How Do Rats & Mice Survive Winter

Rat & Mice Droppings Sydney

Rat & Mice Control In Sydney

Rodents

Termite Control Sydney

Is It Time For A Termite Inspection

Termite Inspection Sydney

Cockroaches In Sydney

 

Pest Control Today SydneyIf you are concerned that your home has become a desired home to winter pests click to call or  contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Pest Control Today

Termite Control Sydney

Termite Control Sydney
Termite Control Sydney

Termite Control Sydney

 

Need help with termites?

 

Termites Control in Sydney

 

Termites are one of the most dreaded pest problem a homeowner can encounter as the damage alone caused by these wood destroying insects can be expensive.

They are social creatures and work by the thousands to ensure the growth and survival of their colony.

In saying this, it is very important that homeowners are educated in the signs of termites, what termite damage looks like and the appropriate actions to take should you discover termites.

Termite Control Sydney Areas– What are the signs of termites?

 

The most common signs that your home or property is infested with termites are:

Termite Swarms

The reproductive winged termites take flight from the colony to find a mate and form a new colony. Swarms can happen inside or outside the home depending on where the colony is.

 

Termite Pest Control SydneyTermite wings

Finding discarded wings is a great indicator that there is a termite colony nearby.

Mud tubes

Are about the size of a pencil, if you see mud tubes around your property there is a good chance these are the tubes that termites are using to travel to and from the colony. Mud tubes prevent termites from exposure to the light and air.

 

Wood damage

Termites work by chewing wood from the inside out so wood damage can often be harder to find.

If your wood structures appear weakened, have small cracks or holes, or sounds hollow it is possible that termites are to blame.

Damage to the wooden structures of your home are the biggest threat of termites.

They can destroy the structural integrity of the home, leaving structures weakened and even deteriorated.

Do termites bite?

 

Termites do not bite or cause harm to humans in any way, however, they will leave you with a huge repair bill if you do not have the problem eradicated as soon as possible.

While termites may be difficult to detect, they are treatable.

Termite Inspections in Sydney

 

Annual termite inspections are recommended by Australian Standards.

For more information on termite inspections please follow the links below

Termite Inspections

Is it time for a termite Inspection

Termite Facts 

 

  • Termite colonies eat non-stop
  • They can live for many generations of worker termites, which can be up to 50-70 years.
  • An average termite colony has about 500,000 insects.
  • Termites provide a valuable service by breaking down dead wood in forests into soil. They are one of the earth’s first recyclers.
  • Subterranean termites need to have constant access to water. If they dry out, they die.
  • Termites maintain mud tunnels or tubes to the ground, which they keep wet with water from the ground.
  • Termites’ main predator is the ant.
  • There are over 2,000 species of termites
  • Most termite damage in the Australia is from subterranean termites.
  • Termites can’t eat their way through concrete, but their soft bodies are good at manoeuvring through tiny cracks.
  • The total weight of all termites in the world is more than the weight of all the humans in the world.
  • Only worker termites can chew and digest cellulose. So, along with gathering food, they need to digest and regurgitate cellulose for the other termites within the nest
  • A queen termite can live over 20 years and can lay thousands of eggs a day.

If you find termites Pest Control Today recommends:

 

  • Stay Calm
  • Take a breath, termites are not going to eat your entire house over night
  • Don’t spray anything on the termites
  • DO NOT try to treat termites with regular insect control
  • Don’t disturb any termite mud trails, nests or workings
  • If you have broken into their workings, try and seal the termite workings with some tape
  • Contact a professional Pest Controller who is licensed to treat termites

Termites may be a difficult problem to detect but they are treatable.

Contact a licensed termite control professional if you suspect activity in your home who can provide you with advice on the best method of treatment and how to prevent future problems.

Pest Control Today SydneyEach property, building and location is different, a customised termite treatment plan should be designed to suit your specific requirements

If you suspect you have a termite problem, click to call Pest Control Today  or contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Pest Control Today

What is the social structure of a termite colony?

Termite Pest Control Sydney

What is the social structure of a termite colony?

 

Need assistance with termites?

 

What is the social structure of a termite colony?

Termites are social insects, living together in groups which are known as colonies. A single colony can range from just a few termites to millions of termites and each one of these colonies contain various castes or “social status.”

Termite castes include The Queen, The King, soldiers, workers, reproducers and immature termites.

The Queen

 

The largest termite in the colony  ranging in length from 60-80 cm. In each colony there is only one queen. The queen is a female termite and her role is solely to lay eggs. It is know that she can lay over 1000 eggs per day.

She lives in a chamber known as the nuptial chamber and produces a pheromone that plays a major role in maintaining the integration and the size of the termite colony.

The King

 

Smaller in size than the queen, the termite king is an adult termite that has the capability to reproduce. His major role is to occasionally mate and fertilise the queen.

Just like the Queen, there is only 1 king termite in each colony.

The Soldiers

 

The solider is distinguished by its appearance, they have no wings, have a dark – large head, stout and powerful mandibles.

The termite soldier accounts for 5-8% of the colonies population and its role is to protect and defend their colony from invasion.

The Workers

 

The worker can also be distinguished by its appearance, they have no wings and their bodies are small and soft, usually measuring 6-8 cm in length & most species of worker termites do not have eyes.

80-90% of any termite colony are workers and these are usually the type of termite you would find in a termite infested wood item.

Their primary function is to look after eggs and the termite nymphs, search for food, feed and clean the their nest mates.

The reproducers

 

The reproducers are both female and male that have reproduction capabilities and their role is to reproduce. They may later on become kings and queens.

The reproducers have darker bodies (yellow, brown or black) which makes them stand out from the rest.

A termite reproducer has two pairs of equal-size wings which are longer than its body. However after a flight, their wings fall off, and the reproducers start to form new colonies.

Further Reading

Pre Construction Termite Treatments

Termite Treatments

Termite Inspections

Pre Construction Termite Protection Sydney

 

Pest Control Today SydneyEach property, building and location is different, a customised management solution should be designed to suit your specific needs.

We would love to find out more on how we may be able to help you.

Click to call or contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Pest Control Today

Pre Construction Termite Protection Sydney

Pre Construction Termite Treatment

Need Help?

 

 

Construction Termite Treatment Sydney

Termite Protection Sydney

Why is termite protection needed?

 

Whether you need to comply with council regulations to get your ‘Certificate of Occupancy’ or just want to secure your home or building against future termite attack, Pest Control Today can take care of all your pre-construction termite needs to protect your project, whether it’s an extension, renovation or new home, on a concrete slab, bearers or joist.

Certificate of Occupancy

 

Your local council must pass the property for a Certificate of Occupancy upon completion of its construction therefore, it is important you ensure the structure is protected during the construction phase with a sufficient termite barrier.

Building Regulations

 

Under the Building Regulations, all new homes must be fitted with a termite management system or be built with termite resistant structural materials such as a physical barrier.

For more information please email info@pestcontroltoday.com.au

Further Reading

Pre Construction Termite Treatments

Termite Treatments

Termite Inspections

 

Pest Control Today SydneyEach property, building and location is different, a customised management solution should be designed to suit your specific needs.

We would love to find out more on how we may be able to help you.

Click to call or  contact with us via the contact form available at our website.

 

Pest Control Today