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CAIRNS TERMITE SPECIALISTS47 YEARS EXPERIENCE

PUBLISHED JUNE__YEAR 2013

The following pages are Information pages for you tounderstand The Ecology of Termites, The Detection ofTermites and Their Control.For further Information please contact the writer Contact John O’ Grady

CAIRNS PEST CONTROLEvery year, termites cause more than $1.5 billion dollars in damage – morethan fire does – to homes and commercial facilities across Australia.

Effectively preventing termites can be difficult and complex. They havesurvived for more than 250 million years and can quickly adapt to changingenvironments. The only way tolower your facility’s risk of termite infestation is ongoing protection and prevention measures.

Since the formation of Cairns Termite Specialists, This company has endeavouredto raise the standards of Termite control in Cairns by setting a standard beyondwhat is normally practiced by members of the industry.

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TERMITE INSPECTIONS

TERMITE TREATMENTS

TERMITE INSPECTION/REPORT TO BUYER

TERMIDOR

FAQS

You Tube VIDEOS

WELCOME

Cairns Termite Specialists has compiled this index for you to navigatethis document along with the bookmarks that have been inserted.

As there is a large amount of information for one to read , this listwas composed for you to select that section which is of the most

importance to you.

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The following table of contents may assist in your gathering appropriate information

Subterranean Termites Termites the EusocialInsects

Termite Shelter Tubes Prevention Chemical

Worker Termites Termite Reproductive's Termite Damage Types Of ChemicalBarriers

Termites General Termite Workers Timber use Termidor

Termites or Ants? Termite Soldiers Termite Ecology FAQS Termites

Termites Life Cycle Termite Diet Termite EvolutionHistory

Termites Feeding Habits Termite Nests Termite Prevention VIDEOS

Termite Myths Termite Mound Nests Prevention Physical

Termite Nest

In certain circumstances concrete and pavers have tobe removed to carry out treatments successfully.

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Subterranean termites :Are the most damaging kind and live in colonies in the soil. Each colony is built around a king andqueen, the sole purpose of termites is to reproduce. Most of the termites that comprise the colonyare worker termites, the ones that cause the damage to your home or business.

Worker termites:search for food sources and share it with others in the colony. They are busy animals, at work 24hours a day, attacking the structure of your home or business from inside the wood. More oftenthan not, you will not see a sign of their work until something gives way. Immediate pest controlaction is needed at that point. It is even possible that there are more colonies working on yourbuilding at a time, so start seeking advice from Cairns Termite Specialists when you suspecttermites.

Termites General :Live for 15 yearsLay 1 egg every 15 secondsHave 4 wingsBurrow tiny mud tunnels to a source of wood.Enjoy wood decay resulting from leaky plumbing.Can destroy an entire house in about 2-3 years.Found in every state Help the food chain by recycling wood for the soil.

How do I tell termites from ants?It is often difficult to determine the difference between termites and ants. Termites have two pairof wings (front and back) and are of almost equal length.Ants also have two pair of wings but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings.Also, termites have relatively straight antennae while ants have elbowed antennae.Ants generally do not swarm at the same time as termites, but it can happen.Termites have a thick waist and ants have a narrow waist.Termites have straight antennae and ants have elbowed antennae.Termites have four wings that are all equal in length.Ants have four wings, however, two are larger and two are smaller

TermitesEach year millions of buildings are invaded by termites, causing millions of dollars in damage annually. Itdoesn't matter where you live, your home or business can be a target for termites. Even buildings andhouses on concrete slabs are threatened by termites finding their way through small cracks. Professionaltermite pest control is recommended if you notice termites around the house. Termites are so clever andefficient that no efforts at termite-proof construction methods have worked out completely successful.

Even cold or hot weather offers no protection as termites are found in all regions of Australia.

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TechniciansTermite nest in a roof voidBarnard Drive Edmonton

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Termite Life Cycle

The simplified model of a termite life cycle indicates the three castes,the reproductive's, the soldiers and the workers.

Due to the fact that termites are hemimetabolous insects, even thenymphs take part in the social life and have their specific tasks to fulfil.The so far poorly understood concept of caste determination does notseem to be definitive or too rigid.

Once the caste of an individual is determined, development intoother castes is still possible.

Soldiers, also referred to as inter castes might turn into workers oreven into reproductive’s, if there is a shortage of individuals of othercastes. This process is controlled by pheromones.

In the case of the queen, there is a specific ‘queen’ pheromone, preventingother individuals from turning into queens. Only if the queen is removedor does the lack of the specific pheromone promote the development of anew queen.

Termite feeding habits:

Subterranean termites feed exclusively on wood andwood products containing cellulose. Termites haveprotozoa (microorganisms) in their intestines thatprovide enzymes to digest cellulose. Although termitesare soft-bodied insects, their hard, saw-toothed jawswork like shears and are able to bite off extremely smallfragments of wood, a piece at a time.

Termites often infest buildings and damage lumber, woodpanels, flooring, sheet rock, wallpaper, plastics, paperproducts and fabric made of plant fibres. The mostserious damage is the loss of structural strength.

Other costly losses include attacks on flooring, roofs,carpeting, art work, books, clothing, furniture and valuablepapers. Subterranean termites do notattack live trees.

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Termite Myths

Myth: In Australia, termites are only found in the south.Fact: There are more than 100 species of termites in Australia, and very little is known aboutmost of these species.

Myth: Termites serve no useful purpose; they are simply destructive pests.Fact: Termites provide a valuable service by breaking down dead wood in forests into soil.They were one of the earth's first recyclers.

Myth: When forests are levelled and trees are removed to make room for development, termites aredestroyed or removed also.Fact: Most termites nest in the ground beneath the surface. When termite colonies lose their food supplyto developers, they seek out new food sources - usually wood from newly built homes on the site.

Myth: A brick house on a concrete slab is safe from termites.Fact: Virtually all homes have a wood frame, so no matter how the wood is separated from the soil,termites can work their way to it from the ground underneath. Similarly, a concrete slab does noteliminate wood-to-ground contact. Termites can construct tunnels through cracks in concrete. Blockhomes are also vulnerable for allowing termite’s entry to other timber parts of the building.

Myth: I have a lot of black ants so therefore no termitesFact: Ants being black or green ants cannot destroy termite activity. Termites have soldiers and are goodat protecting any breach in the nest, galleries or workings. They all live in harmony with each other.

This is a Coptotermes sp. nestphotographed in Machans Beach Cairns inJanuary 2012. Just 50 meters’ from the mainroad leading into this suburb. It has thepotential to attack houses close by. This nestwould be at least 10-15 years old.Possibly more.

Nasutetermes nest on an electricity polein Westcourt. This hardwood eatingtermite will destroy the cross armscausing power failure if not correctedquickly

This is a Termite gallery which is the main entry ofinfestation to the house from the sub floor.

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TERMITES THE EUSOCIAL INSECTS

TERMITES are a group of eusocial insects (a term used for the highest level of social organization in a hierarchical

classification) that, until recently, were classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera but are now accepted as theepifamily Termitoidae, of the cockroach order Blattodea. While termites are commonly known, especially in Australia, as"white ants", they are only distantly related to the ants.

Like ants, some bees, and wasps—which are all placed in the separate order Hymenoptera—termites divide labouramong castes, produce overlapping generations and take care of young collectively. Termites mostly feed on dead plantmaterial, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung, and about 10% of the estimated 4,000 species(about 2,600 taxonomically known) are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage tobuildings, crops or plantation forests. Termites are major detritivores, (detritus feeders) particularly in the subtropical andtropical regions, and their recycling of wood and other plant matter is of considerable ecological importance.

As eusocial insects, termites live in colonies that, at maturity, number from several hundred to several millionindividuals. Colonies use decentralized, self-organized systems of activity guided by swarm intelligence which exploitfood sources and environments unavailable to any single insect acting alone. (Natural examples of SI include antcolonies, bird flocking, animal herding, bacterial growth, and fish schooling.) A typical colony contains nymphs(semimature young), workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals of both sexes, sometimes containing several egg-laying queens. Reproductive's

This fertile termite queen (Coptotermes formosanus), is showing its ovary-filled,distended abdomen. The rest of its body is the same size as that of a worker.

A female that has flown, mated, and is producing eggs is called a "queen".Similarly, a male that has flown, mated, and is in proximity to a queen is termed a"king". Research using genetic techniques to determine relatedness of colonymembers has shown the original idea that colonies are only ever headed by amonogamous royal pair is wrong. (Refers to the state of having only one mate at

any one time.). Multiple pairs of reproductive's within a colony are commonly encountered. In the family’sRhinotermitidae and Termitidae, and possibly others, sperm competition does not seem to occur (male genitalia arevery simple and the sperm are anucleate), suggesting only one male (king) generally mates within the colony.

At maturity, a primary queen has a great capacity to lay eggs. In physogastric species, the queen adds an extra set ofovaries with each moult, resulting in a greatly distended abdomen and increased fecundity, often reported to reach aproduction of more than 2,000 eggs a day. The distended abdomen increases the queen's body length to several timesmore than before mating and reduces her ability to move freely, though attendant workers provide assistance. Thequeen is widely believed to be a primary source of pheromones useful in colony integration, and these are thought tobe spread through shared feeding (trophallaxis).

The king grows only slightly larger after initial mating and continues to mate with the queen for life (a termite queen canlive for 45 years). This is very different from ant colonies, in which a queen mates once with the male(s) and stores thegametes for life, as the male ants die shortly after mating.Two termites in the process of shedding their wings after mating.

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The winged (or "alate") caste, also referred to as the reproductive caste, are generally the only termites with well-developed eyes, although workers of some harvesting species do have well-developed compound eyes, and, in otherspecies, soldiers with eyes occasionally appear. Termites on the path to becoming alates (going through incompletemetamorphosis) form a subcaste in certain species of termites, functioning as workers ("pseudergates") and also aspotential supplementary reproductives. Supplementaries have the ability to replace a dead primary reproductive and, atleast in some species, several are recruited once a primary queen is lost.

In areas with a distinct dry season, the alates leave the nest in large swarms after the first soaking rain of the rainy season.In other regions, flights may occur throughout the year, or more commonly, in the spring and autumn. Termites arerelatively poor fliers and are readily blown downwind in wind speeds of less than 2 km/h, shedding their wings soon afterlanding at an acceptable site, where they mate and attempt to form a nest in damp timber or earth.

Workers

Worker termites undertake the labours of foraging, food storage, brood and nestmaintenance, and some defence's duties in certain species. Workers are the main castein the colony for the digestion of cellulose in food and are the most likely to be found ininfested wood. This is achieved in one of two ways. In all termite families except theTermitidae, flagellate protists in the gut assist in cellulose digestion However, in theTermitidae, which account for approximately 60% of all termite species, the flagellateshave been lost and this digestive role is taken up, in part, by a consortium of prokaryoticorganisms. This simple story, which has been in

entomology textbooks for decades, is complicated by the finding that all studied termites can produce their owncellulose enzymes, and therefore might digest wood in the absence of their symbiotic microbes, although new evidencesuggests these gut microbes make use of termite-produced cellulose enzymes. Our knowledge of the relationshipsbetween the microbial and termite parts of their digestion is still rudimentary. What is true in all termite species, however,is the workers feed the other members of the colony with substances derived from the digestion of plant material, eitherfrom the mouth or anus. This process of feeding of one colony member by another is known as trophallaxis, and is one ofthe keys to the success of the group. It frees the parents from feeding all but the first generation of offspring, allowing forthe group to grow much larger and ensuring the necessary gut symbionts are transferred from one generation to another.Some termite species do not have a true worker caste, instead relying on nymphs that perform the same work withoutdifferentiating as a separate caste

Soldiers

A picture of a soldier termite (Macrotermitinae) with an enlarged jaw the soldier caste hasanatomical and behavioral specializations, providing strength and amour which are primarilyuseful against ant attack. The proportion of soldiers within a colony varies both within andamong species. Many soldiers have jaws so enlarged that they cannot feed themselves, butinstead, like juveniles, are fed by workers. The pan tropical subfamily Nasutitermitinae havesoldiers with the ability to exude noxious liquids through either a horn-like nozzle (nasus).Simple holes in the forehead called "fontanelles" and which exude defensive secretions area feature of the family Rhinotermitidae. Many species are readily identified using thecharacteristics of the soldiers' heads, mandibles, or nasus.

Among the drywood termites, a soldier's globular ("pragmatic") head can be used to block their narrow tunnels. Termitesoldiers are usually blind, but in some families, particularly among the Dampwood termites, soldiers developing from thereproductive line may have at least partly functional eyes. The specialization of the soldier caste is principally a

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defense against predation by ants. The wide range of jaw types and pragmatic heads provides methods thateffectively block narrow termite tunnels against ant entry. A tunnel-blocking soldier can rebuff attacks from manyants. Usually more soldiers stand by behind the initial soldier so once the first one falls another soldier will take theplace. In cases where the intrusion is coming from a breach that is larger than the soldier's head, defence requiresspecial formations where soldiers form a phalanx-like formation around the breach and bite at intruders or exudetoxins from the nasus or fontanelle. This formation involves self-sacrifice because once the workers have repaired thebreach during fighting, no return is provided, thus leading to the death of all defenders. Another form of self-sacrificeis performed by Southeast Asian tar baby termites (Globitermes sulphureus). The soldiers of this species commitsuicide by autothysis—rupturing a large gland just beneath the surface of their cuticle. The thick yellow fluid in thegland becomes very sticky on contact with the air, entangling ants or other insects who are trying to invade the nest.Termites undergo incomplete metamorphosis. Freshly hatched young appear as tiny termites that grow withoutsignificant morphological changes (other than wings and soldier specializations). Some species of termite havedimorphic soldiers (up to three times the size of smaller soldiers). Though their value is unknown, speculation is thatthey may function as an elite class that defends only the inner tunnels of the mound. Evidence for this is that, evenwhen provoked, these large soldiers do not defend themselves but retreat deeper into the mound. On the otherhand, dimorphic soldiers are common in some Australian species of Schedorhinotermes that neither build moundsnor appear to maintain complex nest structures. Some termite species are without soldiers; perhaps the best knownof these are in the Apicotermitinae.

Diet

Termites are generally grouped according to their feeding behavior. Thus, the commonly used general groupings aresubterranean, soil-feeding, drywood, dampwood, and grass-eating. Of these, subterranean and drywood areprimarily responsible for damage to human-made structures.

All termites eat cellulose in its various forms as plant fiber. Cellulose is a rich energy source (as demonstrated by theamount of energy released when wood is burned), but remains difficult to digest. Termites rely primarily uponsymbiotic protozoa (metamonads) such as Trichonympha, and other microbes in their gut to digest the cellulose forthem and absorb the end products for their own use. Gut protozoa, such as Trichonympha, in turn rely on symbioticbacteria embedded on their surfaces to produce some of the necessary digestive enzymes. This relationship is one ofthe finest examples of mutualism among animals. Most so-called higher termites, especially in the Family Termitidae,can produce their own cellulose enzymes. However, they still retain a rich gut fauna and primarily rely upon thebacteria. Owing to closely related bacterial species, it is strongly presumed that the termites' gut flora are descendedfrom the gut flora of the ancestral wood-eating cockroaches, like those of the genus Cryptocercus.

Some species of termite practice fungiculture. They maintain a “garden” of specialized fungi of genus Termitomyces,which are nourished by the excrement of the insects. When the fungi are eaten, their spores pass undamagedthrough the intestines of the termites to complete the cycle by germinating in the fresh faecal pellets. They are alsowell known for eating smaller insects in a last resort environment.

Nests

An arboreal termite nest.

Termite workers build and maintain nests which house the colony. These are elaboratestructures made using a combination of soil, mud, chewed wood/cellulose, saliva, andfaeces. A nest has many functions such as providing a protected living space and waterconservation (through controlled condensation). There are nursery chambers deepwithin the nest where eggs and first instars’ larvae are tended. Some species maintainfungal gardens that are fed on collected plant matter, providing a nutritious mycelium onwhich the colony then feeds (see "Diet," above).

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Nests are punctuated by a maze of tunnel-like galleries that provide air conditioning and control the CO 2/O 2 balance, aswell as allow the termites to move through the nest.

Nests are commonly built underground, in large pieces of timber, inside fallen trees or atop living trees. Some speciesbuild nests aboveground, and they can develop into mounds. Homeowners need to be careful of tree stumps that havenot been dug up. These are prime candidates for termite nests and being close to homes, termites usually end updestroying the siding and sometimes even wooden beams.

Mounds

A termite mound (Macrotermitinae)

Mounds (also known as "termitaria"occur when an aboveground nest grows beyond itsinitially concealing surface. They are commonly called “ant hills” in Africa and Australia,despite the technical incorrectness of that name.In tropical savanna the mounds may bevery large, with an extreme of 9 meters (30 ft) high in the case of large conical moundsconstructed by some Macrotermes species in well-wooded areas in Africa. Two to threemeters, however, would be typical for the largest mounds in most savannas. The shaperanges from somewhat amorphous domes or cones usually covered in grass and/orwoody shrubs, to sculptured hard earth mounds, or a mixture of the two. Despite theirregular mound shapes, the different species in an area can usually be identified bysimply looking at the mounds. The sculptured mounds sometimes have elaborate and

distinctive forms, such as those of the compass termite (Amitermes meridionalis) which build tall wedge-shaped moundswith the long axis oriented approximately north–south which gives them their alternative name of compass termites.This orientation has been experimentally shown to assist thermoregulation. (The ability of an organism to keep its bodytemperature within certain boundaries, even when the surrounding temperature is very different.) The thin end of thenest faces towards the sun at its peak intensity hence taking up the least possible heat; this allows these termites to stayabove ground where other species are forced to move into deeper below ground areas. This allows the compass termitesto live in poorly drained areas where other species would be caught between a choice of baking or drowning. Thecolumn of hot air rising in the aboveground mounds helps drive air circulation currents inside the subterranean network.The structure of these mounds can be quite complex. The temperature control is essential for those species thatcultivate fungal gardens and even for those that don't, much effort and energy is spent maintaining the brood within anarrow temperature range, often only plus or minus 1 degree C over a day. In some parts of the African savannah, a highdensity of aboveground mounds dominates the landscape. For instance, in some parts of the Busanga Plain area ofZambia, small mounds of about 1 m diameter with a density of about 100 per hectare can be seen on grassland betweenlarger tree- and bush-covered mounds about 25 m in diameter with a density around 1 per hectare, and both show upwell on high-resolution satellite images taken in the wet season.

Cathedral Mounds inthe NorthernTerritory of Australia

Mounds of "compass" or "magnetic"termites (Amitermes) oriented North-South, avoiding the extreme middayheat

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Termite mound in Queensland / Australia Termites in a mound,

Shelter tubes

Nasutiterminae shelter tubes on a tree trunk provide cover for the trail from nest toforest floor

Termites are weak and relatively fragile insects that need to stay moist to survive. Theycan be overpowered by ants and other predators when exposed. They avoid these perilsby covering their trails with tubing made of faeces, plant matter, saliva and soil. Thus thetermites can remain hidden and wall out unfavorable environmental conditions.Sometimes these shelter tubes will extend for many meters, such as up the outside of atree reaching from the soil to dead branches.

To a subterranean termite any breach of their tunnels or nest is a cause for alarm. Whenthe Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) and the Eastern

subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes) detect a potential breach, the soldiers will usually bang their headsapparently to attract other soldiers for defense and recruit additional workers to repair any breach. This head-bangingresponse to vibration is also useful when attempting to locate termite’s in house frames

Timber damage

This is a photo of damage that had occurred in as little as six months. None of these timbers is sound. To determine thedamage it was required to remove the roof and sound test each timber.

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Timber Use Use of timber that is naturally resistant to termites such as Syncarpia glomulifera (Turpentine Tree), Tectona grandis(Teak), Callitris glaucophylla (White Cypress), or one of the sequoias. Note that there is no tree species whose everyindividual tree yields only timbers that are immune to termite damage, so that even with well-known termite-resistanttimber types, there will occasionally be pieces that are attacked.

When termites have already penetrated a building, the first action is usually to destroy the colony with insecticidesbefore removing the termites' means of access and fixing the problems that encouraged them in the first place. Baits(feeder stations) with small quantities of disruptive insect hormones or other very slow acting toxins have become thepreferred least-toxic management tool in most western countries. This has replaced the dusting of toxins direct intotermite tunnels that had been widely done since the early 1930s (originating in South Africa). The main dust toxicantshave been the inorganic metallic poison arsenic trioxide, insect growth regulators (hormones) such as triflumuron and,more recently fipronil, a phenyl-pyrazole. Blowing dusts into termite workings is a highly skilled process. All these slow-acting poisons can be distributed by the workers for hours or weeks before any symptoms occur and are capable ofdestroying the entire colony. More modern variations include chlorfluazuron, diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, andnovaflumuron as bait toxicants and fipronil, imidacloprid and chlorantraniprole as soil poisons. Soil poisons are the least-preferred method of control as this requires large doses of toxin and results in uncontrollable release to theenvironment.

The termite’s effects are damaging, costing Australia approximately $1.5 billion each year in wood structure damage. Inorder to better control the population of termites, researchers at the Agricultural Research Service have found a way totrack the movement of the destructive pests. In 1990, researchers found a way to safely and reliably track termites usingimmunoglobulin G (IgG) marker proteins from rabbits or chickens. In field tests, termite bait was laced with the rabbit IgGand the termites were randomly exposed to feeding on this bait. Termites were later collected from the field and testedfor the rabbit-IgG markers using a rabbit-IgG-specific assay. However, this method of testing for the tracking proteins isexpensive. Recently, researchers have developed a new way of tracking the termites using egg white, cow milk, or soymilk proteins, which can be sprayed on the termites in the field. This new method is less expensive because the proteinscan be traced using a protein-specific ELISA test. The ELISA test is more affordable, because it is designed for massproduction. Researchers hope to use this method of tracking termites to find a more cost-effective way to control thedamaging pests. Agricultural Research Service scientists have developed a more affordable method to track themovement of termites using traceable proteins.

Agriculture

Termites can be major agricultural pests, particularly in East Africa and North Asia, where crop losses can be severe.Counterbalancing this is the greatly improved water infiltration where termite tunnels in the soil allow rainwater to soakin deeply and help reduce runoff and consequent soil erosion.

Termites as a source of energy

The U.S. and Australian Department of Energy is researching ways to replace fossil fuels with renewable sources ofcleaner energy, and termites are considered a possible way to reach this goal through metagenomics.

Termites may produce up to two litres of hydrogen from digesting a single sheet of paper, making them one of theplanet’s most efficient bioreactors. Termites achieve this high degree of efficiency by exploiting the metabolic capabilitiesof about 200 different species of microbes that inhabit their hindguts. The microbial community in the termite gutefficiently manufactures large quantities of hydrogen; the complex lignocellulose polymers within wood are broken downinto simple sugars by fermenting bacteria in the termite’s gut, using enzymes that produce hydrogen as a by-product. Asecond wave of bacteria uses the simple sugars and hydrogen to make the acetate the termite requires for energy. Bysequencing the termite's microbial community, the DOE hopes to get a better understanding of these biochemicalpathways. If it can be determined which enzymes are used to create hydrogen, and which genes produce

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them, this process could potentially be scaled up with bioreactors to generate hydrogen from woody biomass, such aspoplar, in commercial quantities.

Sceptics regard this as unlikely to become a carbon-neutral commercial process owing to the energy inputs required tomaintain the system. For decades, researchers have sought to house termites on a commercial scale (like worm farms)to break down woody debris and paper, but funding has been scarce and the problems of developing a continuousprocess that does not disrupt the termites' homeostasis have not been overcome.

Ground water

Without exception the water requirements of the insects are generally very high, and they need to protect themselvesagainst fatal desiccation by living and working within the climatically sealed environment of their nest or within earthcovered galleries. According to present level of research, the atmosphere within the nest has to be maintained practicallysaturation moisture level (99-100 % humidity). It is a matter of common observation that whenever a termite nest orrunway is damaged, the insects immediately rush to the breach and repairs it with wet soil brought up from within thenest. From an overall consideration of the evidence it seems to be safe to conclude that, while normally the insects useevery readily available source of water close to the ground surface, under condition of severe climatic stress, they canand they probably do descend to the water table, no matter how deep it may be. Hence, a well-developed, active,permanent colony of mound-building termites can be taken as an indication of underground springs in proximity.

Two examples mentioned in the referred publication are, a) termiteries seen in the Katanga province (Congo Kinshasa)right up to the hill slopes where springs emerge, b) in the dry jungle uplands of coastal zone of Karnataka state (oldMysore state) and c) in the Deccan Plateau area.

EcologyEcologically, termites are important in nutrient recycling, habitat creation, soil formation and quality and, particularly thewinged reproductives, as food for countless predators. The role of termites in hollowing timbers and thus providingshelter and increased wood surface areas for other creatures is critical for the survival of a large number of timber-inhabiting species. Larger termite mounds play a role in providing a habitat for plants and animals, especially on plains inAfrica that are seasonally inundated by a rainy season, providing a retreat above the water for smaller animals and birds,and a growing medium for woody shrubs with root systems that cannot withstand inundation for several weeks. Inaddition, scorpions, lizards, snakes, small mammals, and birds live in abandoned or weathered mounds, and aardvarks digsubstantial caves and burrows in them, which then become homes for larger animals such as hyenas and mongooses.

As detrivores, termites clear away leaf and woody litter and so reduce the severity of the annual bush fires in Africansavannas, which are not as destructive as those in Australia and the U.S.A. Their role in bioturbation on the KhoratPlateau is under investigation.

Common blank ant overpowering a termitesoldier

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Globally, termites are found roughly between 50 degrees north & south, with the greatest biomass in the tropics andthe greatest diversity in tropical forests and Mediterranean scrublands. Termites are also considered to be a majorsource of atmospheric methane, one of the prime greenhouse gases. Termites have been common since at least theCretaceous period. Termites also eat bone and other parts of carcasses, and their traces have been found on dinosaurbones from the middle Jurassic in China.

Plant defences against termites

Many plants have developed effective defences against termites, and in most ecosystems, there is an observable balancebetween the growth of plants and the feeding of termites. Defence is typically achieved by secreting anti- feedantchemicals (such as oils, resins, and lignins) into the woody cell walls. This reduces the ability of termites to efficientlydigest the cellulose. Many of the strongly termite-resistant tree species have heartwood timber that is extremely dense(such as Eucalyptus camaldulensis) due to accretion of these resins. Over the years there has been considerable researchinto these natural defensive chemicals with scientists seeking to add them to timbers fromsusceptible trees. A commercial product, “Blockaid,” has been developed in Australia and uses a range of plant extractsto create a paint-on nontoxic termite barrier for buildings. In 2005 a group of Australian scientists “discovered”(announced) a treatment based on an extract of a species of Eremophila that repels termites. Tests have shown thattermites are strongly repelled by the toxic material to the extent that they will starve rather than consume cross treatedsamples. When kept close to the extract, they become disoriented and eventually die. Scientists hoped to use this toxiccompound commercially as a soil barrier but it failed field testing.

Taxonomy, evolution, and systematic

The famous Giant Northern Termite Mastotermes darwiniensis attests to the close relationship of termites andcockroaches.

Recent DNA evidence has supported the hypothesis, originally based on morphology, that termites are most closelyrelated to the wood-eating cockroaches (genus Cryptocercus), to which the singular and very primitive Mastotermesdarwiniensis shows some telltale similarities. Most recently, this has led some authors to propose that termites bereclassified as a single family, Termitidae, within the order Blattodea, which contains cockroaches. However, mostresearchers advocate the less drastic measure of retaining the termites as Termitoidae, an epifamily of the cockroachorder, which preserves the classification of termites at family level and below.

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Evolutionary history

The oldest unambiguous termite fossils date to the early Cretaceous, although structures from the late Triassic have beeninterpreted as fossilized termite nests. Given the diversity of Cretaceous termites, it is likely that they had their origin at leastsometime in the Jurassic. Weesner believes that Mastotermitidae termites may go back to the Permian[ and fossil wings havebeen discovered in the Permian of Kansas which have a close resemblance to wings of Mastotermes of the Mastotermitidae,which is the most primitive living termite. It is thought to be the descendant of Cryptocercus genus, the wood roach. This fossilis called Pycnoblattina. It folded its wings in a convex pattern between segments 1a and 2a. Mastotermes is the only livinginsect that does the same,

It has long been accepted that termites are closely related to cockroaches and mantids, and they are classified in the samesuperorder (Dictyoptera), but new research has shed light on the details of termite evolution. There is now strong evidencesuggesting that termites are really highly modified, social, wood-eating cockroaches. A study conducted by scientists has foundthat endosymbiotic bacteria from termites and a genus of cockroaches, Cryptocercus, share the strongest phylogeneticalsimilarities out of all other cockroaches. Both termites and Cryptocercus also share similar morphological and social features—most cockroaches do not show social characteristics, but Cryptocercus takes care of its young and exhibits other social behavior.As mentioned above, the primitive Giant Northern Termite (Mastotermes darwiniensis) exhibits numerous cockroach-likecharacteristics, such as laying its eggs in rafts and having anal lobes onthe wings that are not shared with other termites.

CAIRNS TERMITE SPECIALISTSTERMITE INSPECTIONS

· Termite inspections are required 12 monthly or 6 monthly· Inspections are the most secure way of finding activity before the damage is severe.· Cairns Termite Specialists assist you in performing your own regular inspections and implementing non chemical

methods of control in the form of home care.· Cairns Termite Specialists investigate all conducive aspects around and in your building.· Should there be any problems uncounted, that is active termites. Then Cairns Termite Specialists can give you a

treatment proposal and the cost of this service at the time of the inspection.· If you discover Termites in your home, this Inspection is the first and foremost procedure that is performed. This is to

ensure that all activity is located and that recommendations of treatments are correct and adequate.

TERMITE TREATMENTS

Termite or 'white ant' treatment and prevention

Termites are sometimes referred to as ‘white ants’ because of their pale appearance -

Do you have termites in or around your home?

The home owner can discourage termites by remembering these facts:

· Termites are attracted to wood, so remove potential termite food away from buildings - their food can include timberstacks, old stumps, building refuse, garden decoration such as sleepers and logs

Drilling & rod injecting tounder slab as the Termitesare attacking the staircase

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· Waste timber from construction activities is often left in place or stored under the house – remove all timberformwork

· Timber can be treated to prevent termite attack, and some timbers are naturally resistant - use treated ornaturally resistant timber when it is in contact with, or close to, soil

· Termites are attracted to water, so fix leaking water pipes, drains, showers, sinks etc, plus capture water from airconditioning units

· Termites prefer humid conditions, so keep air under the house dry by improving sub-floor ventilation, drainageand access

· Termites cannot chew through properly laid concrete, so ensure concrete slab is properly designed, compacted,and cured

· Termite colonies can sometimes be located - it is possible to eliminate colonies by killing the reproductives (thequeen and the king).

Regular inspections are the most important part of controlling termites before they do any damage. Therefore:

· Arrange regular inspections – at least once a year in cooler areas and twice a year in warmer areas· Inspect during periods of high termite activity - early spring to late summer is generally the best· Keep the edges of the house (slabs, foundation, piers and stumps) clear of clutter, including garden beds and

vegetation· Professional pest controllers are trained in inspecting houses for termite activity use CAIRNS TERMITE

SPECIALISTS services· Home owners can inspect houses themselves more frequently than a professional, but they should always rely

on the Pest Inspection at least once a year.

PreventionThe first step in protecting a house is to prevent termites from gaining access. This is achieved by placing a barrierunder or around the house. Barriers are designed to deter termites or bring their presence out into the open.Barriers can be physical or chemical in nature.

Physical barriers

Physical barriers are so-called because they rely on the physical resistance of the material to resist termiteattack. These are usually installed during new constructions, but some can be retro-fitted to existing houses.

Barriers can be placed under concrete slabs, foundations and within cavity walls. Hardware and buildingsuppliers may be able to advise on products that are available for DIY.

Physical barriers are made from metal, crushed rock or other materials that termites cannot chew through, andin which any gaps are too small for termites to move through. Most of these products have to be installed byprofessionals that are licensed by the manufacturers.

Ant caps are installed at the top of underfloor piers or stumps to force termites into the open where they areeasier to detect during regular inspections. Ant caps are not a barrier by themselves.

Chemical barriers

Chemical barriers are so-called because they rely on a chemical to resist termite attack. The chemicals areusually insecticides. These barriers can be placed under concrete slabs, foundations and around houses.

Chemical barriers can be installed in new and existing structures, but can only be installed by licensed pest controllers.

Termites have built over the physical ant capping.

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There are two types of chemical barriers in-soil and in-plastics .In some cases it is necessary to have a mini excavatorbrought in to make it possible to create a trench deep enough for the application of Termiticide reaching the base of thefootings. This photo shows the trench at first injection stage. The machine will now backfill so as to allow the PestControl Technician to rod inject again to bring to completion as shown in photo above.In-soil chemical barriers are

formed when the chemical is applied to the soil under or around the foundations ofa building.In-plastic chemical barriers are plastic sheets containing a chemical - these aretypically installed like physical barriers .There are several different chemicalscurrently registered for use as chemical barriers.Registration is controlled by Australian Pesticides & Veterinary MedicinesAuthority.There are several chemicals used currently (new chemicals are underdevelopment and old chemicals can be de- registered, so check with the APVMAfor the most up to date information).

The active ingredients include:

Bifenthrin,

Chlorpyrifos,

Deltamethrin,

FipronilImidacloprid.

It is no longer legal to use organochlorines for environmental and health reasons.

Injecting Termiticide under a slab

Gutter and path to separate thehouse from the garden is essentialfor good termite control

Perimeter rod injecting oftermiticide to controltermites entering a brickveneer home.

This is a Termite nest in a roofvoid. This must be treated as wellas perimeter chemical treatment

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TERMITE INSPECTION/REPORT TO BUYER

When you wish to purchase an established building you are advised to have a Termite Inspection. This Inspection and report isvery similar to the afore mentioned inspection except it is a legal document for purchaser and vendor. The name of thisinspection is a Timber Pest Inspection Report To Buyer.

Note a few important issues listed below.

ü Never have your building structural inspection carried out before your Timber Pest Inspection. You may wish not togo any further with the purchase if a Termite issue is discovered. Remember if termites are evident, no inspector canguarantee you of the concealed damage. Not a Building inspector or Pest inspector.

ü Reports are computer generated and no verbal statements should persuade your decision on the purchase ordecline to purchase. You should wait for a copy of the report

ü Subject to Conditions of purchase should always be on your purchase contract stating subject to a termiteinspection. Not limited to termite activity only as there may be other issues relating to risk and possible attack in thefuture. Past history of termites may be evident. There is no guarantee that it is past. They may still be there and not ableto be detected. Ask your solicitor for advice.

ü You Must sign an agreement prior to the inspection agreeing to the disclaimers pertained in the report and thelimitations of any Pest Inspection.

ü Payment should be made to the company before the report is released to the client or, his/her solicitor

Inspections will advise of the possible downfalls of what appears to be OK but in actual fact termites can be located under

concealed conditions.

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Termidor for Termite Control

TERMIDOR® for termite control is available in two formulations, Termidor Dust and TermidorResidual, the perfect combination for both inside and outside your home, to ensure complete termitenest elimination and full protection from future termite attack.

TERMIDOR Residual Termiticide

TERMIDOR is applied as a continuous chemical soil zone around and under the home. SomeTermiticides are repellent and rely on keeping termites away from treated structures. While suchproducts are toxic to termites, very few of the termites are actually killed before being repelled by theTermiticide barrier. As a result, termites remain alive and actively seek gaps in the barrier in order togain access to the building. They do this day after day, year after year until they find a way through.

TERMIDOR is non-repellent to termites. This means that they cannot detect the product and will notavoid the treated area. As a result, termites continue to forage through the soil until they encounterTERMIDOR and pick up a lethal dose.

TERMIDOR Dust

TERMIDOR Dust is the culmination of over 10 years research in Australia to find the perfect termitenest elimination product. TERMIDOR Dust is applied by professional Pest Control Operators directlyon to the termites, either inside your house or onto activity around the yard (trees, fences etc).

TERMIDOR Dust is also perfect for treating active termite bait stations. After treatment, the termitescarry the dust particles on their bodies and eventually back to the nest (where ever that may be) viathe unique Transfer Effect TM. Extensive Australian research proves that it takes as little as 2 to 4weeks for total termite elimination. This is much faster than expensive baiting systems and you willnot require numerous visits from the Pest Control Technician to achieve success.

Transfer Effect

Thanks to Termidor’s unique “Transfer Effect™”, termites don’t even need to ingest or contactTERMIDOR in order to die from it. All they need to do is make contact with another termite that has

already contacted or ingested TERMIDOR. This is because termites that come into contact withTERMIDOR collect it on their bodies. They then become carriers that spread TERMIDOR to other

termites and eventually back to the nest. Termites are social insects that live together in largecolonies and feed and groom each other. The “Transfer Effect™ ” makes most of this. It’s a key

reason why no other termiticide performs as well as TERMIDOR.

TERMIDOR and the environment

When applied according to the label directions, the TERMIDOR Inside-Out program has minimalimpact on the environment. They are applied at some of the lowest doses of any of the termiticidesavailable today, and the active ingredient has been registered in household pet products in Australiasince 1996. TERMIDOR has been assessed by the Commonwealth Department of Health andAgeing, and is fully approved for use in domestic and commercial situations. TERMIDOR is water-

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based and has no odour, will not leach through soil and is not damaging to soil micro-organisms,earthworms and plants.

Summary

TERMIDOR® provides fast elimination and highly effective, long-term residual termite control.

With a unique mode of action, TERMIDOR will not only eliminate the current activity (including the nest)but will provide proven protection against termite entry and will continue to control termites for at least 8years. When compared with other termiticides, TERMIDOR has consistently provided termite controlover a significantly longer period. TERMIDOR also controls termite populations more rapidly thanbaiting systems which rely on attracting termites to begin to work.

TERMIDOR Can Only Be Applied By A Licensed Pest Control Technician ToEnsure That The Treatment Is Successful.

Answers for HomeownersEntomology departments often receive more calls about termites than any other household insect.Subterranean termites are serious pests, whose control is best left to professionals. Termites and termitemanagement services can be confusing, however, and there are more options available today than everbefore. Some of the most common termite questions raised by homeowners are answered below.

§ Why worry about termites?§ Why are infestations often discovered during March - May?§ How will I know if my home is infested?§ Can I treat the house myself?§ How do I choose a termite control company? Why is there such variance in price?§ Which treatment methods and products are most effective?§ Does the entire house need to be treated -- or can they just treat areas where I see termites?§ How long will the treatment last?§ Will the chemicals harm my family or pets?§ Have I been "cheated" if termites continue to infest my house after treatment?

The 10 Most Asked Questions

Q: Why worry about termites?

A: Termites cause billions of dollars in damage each year. They primarily feed on wood, but also damage paper,books, insulation, and even swimming pool liners and filtration systems. Termites can injure living trees andshrubs, but more often are a secondary invader of woody plants already in decline. While buildings may becomeinfested at any time, termites are of particular importance when buying or selling a home since a termiteinspection/infestation report is normally a condition of sale. Besides the monetary impact, thousands of wingedtermites emerging inside one's home are an emotionally trying experience — not to mention the thought oftermites silently feasting on one's largest investment.

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Q: Why are infestations often discovered during March - May?

A: Spring typically is when large numbers of winged termites, known as"swarmers," emerge inside homes. In nature, termites swarm to disperseand start new colonies. Triggered by warmer temperatures and rainfall,the winged termites emerge from the colony and fly into the air.

Opposite: Winged termites emerging indoors are a suresign that the building is infested.

The swarmers then drop to the ground, shed their wings, pair off with amate, and attempt to begin new colonies in the soil. Few swarmers

emerging outdoors survive to start new colonies. Swarmers emerging indoors are incapable of eating wood,seldom survive, and are best removed with a vacuum. They do, however, indicate that an infestation ispresent.

Q: How will I know if my home is infested?

A: Discovering winged termites indoors almost always indicates an infestation warranting treatment.

People often confuse winged termites with ants, which often swarm atthe same time of year. Termites can be differentiated by their straightantennae, uniform waist and wings of equal size. (Ants have elbowedantennae, constricted waists and forewings that are longer than thehind wings.)

The swarmers are attracted to light and are often seen around windowsand doors. Termite swarmers emerging from tree stumps, woodpiles, andother locations out in the yard are not necessarily cause for concern, anddo not necessarily mean that the house is infested. Onthe other hand, if winged termites are seen emerging from the base of afoundation wall or adjoining porches and patios, there's a good chancethe house is infested also and treatment may be warranted.

Other signs of infestation are earthen (mud) tubes (shown right)extending over foundation walls, support piers, sill plates, floorjoists, etc. The mud tubes are typically about the diameter of a pencil,but sometimes can be thicker.

Termites construct these tubes for shelter as they travel betweentheir underground colonies and the structure. To help determine if aninfestation is active, the tubes may be broken open and checkedfor the presence of small,creamy-white worker termites.

If a tube happens to be vacant,it does not necessarily meanthat the infestation isinactive; termites often abandon sections of tube while foragingelsewhere in the structure.

Termite-damaged wood is usually hollowed out along the grain, withbits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries. Wood damagedby moisture or other types of insects (e.g., carpenter ants) will nothave this appearance. Occasionally termites bore tiny holes throughplaster or drywall, accompanied by bits of soil around the margin.Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be indicative of termites tunnelling underneath.

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Oftentimes there will be no visible indication that the home is infested. Termites are cryptic creatures andinfestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and otherobstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress undetected in wood that is exposed because theouter surface is usually left intact.

Termite damage to baseboard. Hidden infestationwas discovered when vacuum cleaner attachment

penetrated surface of baseboard.

Confirmation of infestation often requires the keen eye of an experienced termite inspector. However, even themost experienced inspector can overlook infestation or damage which is hidden.

Q: Can I treat the house myself?

A: Ridding a home of termites requires special skills. Knowledge of buildingconstruction is needed to identify the critical areas where termites are likely toenter. Many of these potential points of entry are hidden and difficult to access.Termite control also utilizes specialized equipment such as masonry drills,pumps, large-capacity tanks, and soil treatment rods. A typical treatment mayinvolve hundreds of litres of a liquid pesticide, known as a termiticide, injectedinto the ground alongside the foundation, beneath concrete slabs, and withinfoundation walls. In short, termite treatment is a job for professionals.

Q: How do I choose a termite control company? Why is there such avariance in price?A: These are complex questions. The company should be licensed by theHealth Department and hold a QBSA card. Companies offer differenttypes of treatment methods and warranties. If termites happen to return,most will retreat the affected area(s) at no additional charge. Somecompanies also willrepair damage occurring subsequent to their treatment, although dating onset of damage is a hard thing todetermine. In some cases, no warranty will be offered if wells, cisterns, sub slab heating ducts, drainagesystems, or inaccessible crawl spaces make it impossible to treat in accordance with industry standards.

Q: Which treatment methods and products are most effective?A: Another challenging question. There are two general categories of termite treatment, liquids and baits. Soil-applied liquid termiticides have been around for decades. Their purpose is to provide a long-lasting chemicalbarrier that excludes termites in the ground from entering buildings. In most cases, termites in the structure dieoff as well, since they cannot return to the soil. Most former products were repellent rather than lethal totermites foraging in the soil. Newer materials, such as Premise® (imidacloprid), Termidor® (fipronil), andPhantom® (chlorfenapyr), are non-repellent and termites tunnelling into the treatment zone are killed. Overallthe non-repellent products are proving to be more reliable in their ability to resolve termite problems in the firstattempt. A well known and widely used repellent termiticide is Bifenthrin. All registered termiticides (bothrepellent and non-repellent) can be effective, however, and homeowners should not base their purchasingdecision on product alone.

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Q: Does the entire house need to be treated... or can they just treat areas where I see termites?

A: Subterranean termite colonies may contain hundreds of thousands of individuals, foraging in many differentdirections. For the homeowner, localized or "spot" treatments are generally a gamble except in cases of retreatment. Most reputable pest control firms will not warranty spot treatments, since it's likely that termites willeventually find other points of entry into the structure.

Some companies may offer to do a "perimeter" treatment, using one of the non-repellent liquid Termiticides(Termidor, Premise, etc.). Typically this will involve a thorough application around the entire outside foundationwall of the building, and spot-treating any infested or high-risk interior areas. If the homeowner is consideringsuch a treatment, they should inquire whether it will be accompanied by a service agreement in case termitesreturn. (Service renewal agreements usually state that if termites return, the company will return and retreat theaffected areas at no additional charge provided the renewal agreement is maintained.) A yearly follow onInspection should always be carried out. These Inspections are detailed and will cost a fee comparable to thetime required to conduct the inspection.

Q: How long will the treatment last?

A: All liquid Termiticides are supposed to control termites for at least five years when applied according to labeldirections. The actual length of control on a given structure will depend on such factors as thoroughness of theapplication, environmental conditions, and density of termites in the area. If termites swarm again and continueto be a problem the year after treatment, it's usually not from degradation of the Termiticide — but becausetermites have found a penetrable gap in the chemical barrier.

Q: Will the chemicals harm my family or pets?

A: Termiticides are tested extensively for adverse effects on health. Before a product can be used, numerousstudies are conducted by the manufacturer and independently evaluated by the Australian RegulatoryAuthorities. Based on the current body of knowledge, registered Termiticides pose no significant hazard tohumans, pets or the environment when applied according to label directions. Despite the negligible health riskfrom a properly performed termite treatment, people with lingering concerns should consult their physician. Mostof the newer liquid products have essentially no odour

Q: Have I been "cheated" if termites continue to infest my house after treatment?

A: Not necessarily. Unlike other services such as plumbing or electrical work, termite control involves livingcreatures. The best treatments performed by knowledgeable firms may fail at times, when termites find theirway through tiny, untreated gaps in the soil. While the intent is to establish a continuous, impenetrablechemical barrier, this is all but impossible to achieve in actual practice. The key is to hire a reputable pestcontrol firm employing experienced, conscientious technicians. Companies will return and retreat affectedarea(s) at no additional charge provided the service agreement is purchased and maintained.

Concrete was cut to allow treatment