Various species of termites that can cause considerable damage to structures can also be found in other Australian mainland cities like Canberra—yes, including flying termites! If you are reading this because of an instance where you have seen flying termites or are getting ready to deal with them, continue reading for some helpful tips and guidelines on managing and getting rid of a termite infestation.
Why Are Termites So Common In Canberra?
Termite colonies reside inside trees and below surface ground or buildings. Nowadays, termites are elusive and challenging to identify even though concerned citizens have removed them from their traditional mud mounds; however, these insects can still be found in various suburbs around Canberra.
A colony can remain active for over two decades, relying on just one queen (or king) who enlarges in size as she lays eggs abundantly. They work underground within a complex tunnel system and feed on leafless trees and hollow logs surrounding their tunnels. Sadly, what makes the house attractive for the insect is that it is available every time, thus resulting in costly damages often seen in homes in most suburbs around Canberra.
Why Do Termites Fly?
Although most of these subterranean termites are sightless, wingless worker ants and soldiers who do not possess any sex, annually, a colony devises a sexual caste composed of female and male termites that are massive in size with eyes, wings and darkly pigmented skin.
Several queens and kings full of anticipation and dreams keep away from the main colony, usually staying at the top of a tree or, in some cases, an unfortunate building wall cavity. They remain there, hoping for the best moment to see the outer world they have never seen. They remain there waiting for a humid early evening or morning when it is warm but not hot, usually just after it has rained. The flying season for termites in Canberra typically starts with the change of clocks and proceeds until the Canberra Cup (late October – early November).
Nevertheless, it usually occurs almost at once all over town- maybe starting with a gust of wind- and then they emerge as streams missed in the air coming from trees, fences, infested houses and gardens. They don’t swarm about like bees do- but gradually overcast skies get populated with heavy fly-like bugs being blown around by the wind. They may lie on your head, there may be some in your swim hole, or they might even settle on your automobile, but some are fortunate to lie on an old log or stump, where they will mate together into new termite rulers.
Do Flying Termites Bite Or Sting?
When it comes to flying termites, they can’t do you any harm as they don’t sting or bite. If you spot them in your outdoor spaces, such as gardens—this is how it goes for Canberra—you may need to remove hundreds of dead ones from your swimming pool. They help remind us that termites are throughout the country and that we should always have our buildings regularly checked by termite professionals—the Australian Standard advocates for inspections at least once every 12 months.
If Termites Fly Into My Home Through A Window, Will They Eat My Wood?
Home cannot be infested or damaged by flying termites. They will die overnight. Unless you have a termite inspection every year, more than just termites flying from outside that would come to your house and eat wood, it is even then that you should be worried.
What Should I Do If Flying Termites Come From The Walls Or Wood Inside My House?
This is more serious and scary, but don’t panic! Follow the following steps to ensure the termite issue is contained in no time:
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Contain The Termites To Avoid A Mess Throughout The House.
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- Close the door of the room from which they are flying.
- Turn off any light in that room.
- Open the curtains/ blinds so the termites are attracted to the light from the window.
- Turn on any outside light that attracts them to the window.
- You should expect them all to die by the morning- hopefully, mostly on the windowsill.
- Do not spray them, disturb them, or open up any papery timber you might notice. There is no point trying to stop them from exiting the timber with tape, etc. Let them come out. The flying termites will not harm your house- they will all die by the morning.
- Your Home Has A Termite Infestation, Which Must Be Treated.
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- Do not worry- treatment is effective. Don’t touch- you need a termite specialist to come and prescribe the best termite treatment. Yes- it is another expense- but professional treatment is essential to avoid significant damage to your building.
- Ensure Your Termite Specialist Does The Following:
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- A visit to your building is needed to investigate the infestation and establish likely entry routes, as well as the location of the colony nest and the prospects for effective treatment, such as termite baiting or having a ‘Termite barrier‘ applied around your building.
- You should be given a written ‘termite management plan’ that describes in plain speak what treatment is recommended, including any changes to the building or landscaping details that may be required. It is usually not just bad luck to be attacked by termites, so ‘conducive’ conditions, such as lousy ventilation, may need to be addressed by owners and treated by termite specialists.
- Suppose you accept the written Proposal from your specialist. In that case, the first thing to be provided will likely be a thorough termite inspection of the building and nearby landscaping, which will be presented in a written report. The result of the inspection may call for adjustments from the initial Proposal.
- You should be told, in writing, what the prospects are for achieving control of the current infestation and the longer-term prospects of protecting the building in the future.
With more than 20+ years of experience, contact Tom’s Pest Control Canberra today at (02) 6105 9024 or fill in the contact form to eliminate these scary pests immediately!