Spring is a time when we all start to bloom again, especially on the sunny Gold Coast, and it’s the perfect time for stealthy termites to wreak havoc on your home.
Termite activity increases in spring and continues throughout summer, not slowing down until March or April next year. And termites can be in your home for over a month before you see any evidence of them.
Getting to know what the pesky termites love in your home on the Gold Coast allows you to avoid the conditions they need to build their ideal home…in yours.
What Causes Termites to Breed?
Termites will only travel up to 50 meters to mate. After a late humid afternoon, you’ll see them swarm and fly – this can be hundreds of thousands of termites. The successful pairs then become a king and queen and go off to create a new nest somewhere near you.
- Darkness- Termites don’t like light so they will try to keep their nest dark and plug up any gaps to keep out of the fresh air.
- Humidity and High Temperatures – they take flight once the outside conditions match that of their nest – which means above 80% humidity and 29c to 36c. This makes our beautiful Queensland summer an ideal time for them to breed and infest.
- Termite Food Sources – Termites live on cellulose-based food sources and a water source – timber, cardboard, paper and a leaky pipe are the perfect breeding conditions.
Things to avoid Termite Infestation:
To prevent termites from settling into your home, avoid the following:
- Ground level rotting timber
- Old tree stumps
- Palm tree stumps
- Pooling water by your house
- Airconditioning units that leak
Signs of Termite Infestation
If you think you may have a termite infestation, look for the following signs around your home.
- Fragile, soft or flaking timber
- Soggy timber
- Water stains on your plasterboard
- Bulging or uneven walls
- Pin holes in your plasterboard
- Mud packed in a crack
If any of these signs are showing in your home or business premises, call (click to call) 1300 667 129. We can determine if termites have taken up residence and offer you a personalised solution to eliminate them.
As 90% of termite cases are tracked back to a leaky pipe; once we have investigated your property, we can also recommend a local plumber to help.
Useful Links
The following links may be useful for protecting your current home against termites or for consideration when deciding to build on the Gold Coast.
How to recognise and manage termites
Ten of the 15 termite types can be found in Queensland.
Protecting against termites in Queensland according to the Queensland Building and Construction Commission.
