About Termites
Termites are a natural part of our ecosystem — just like ants, bees, and other insects. In nature, they play an important role by breaking down organic materials and returning nutrients to the soil. However, termites become a serious problem when they invade our homes or damage timber structures such as fences, decking, and landscaping features.
Termite Behaviour and Colonies
Termites are present in every suburb and every state across Australia. As social insects — much like ants and bees — they live in highly organised colonies with a hierarchy that includes a queen, soldiers, and workers. Each caste plays a specific role in maintaining the health and growth of the colony.
As the colony matures, termites can adapt to its needs by producing more soldiers for defence, more workers to gather food, or even future kings and queens to establish new colonies. A single colony can consist of millions of termites, all foraging underground in search of food and moisture sources such as cellulose, starches, sugars, and proteins found in timber and other organic materials.
Although many people refer to termites as "white ants," this is a common misconception. While termites may resemble ants in appearance and behaviour, they are a completely different species.
How Termites Enter Your Home
One of the most common ways termites access buildings is by tunnelling through soil in search of food. When they encounter a man-made structure like a house, they will attempt to navigate around or through it. Entry points often include small cracks in foundations, expansion joints, gaps in brickwork, and even plumbing penetrations. Once inside, they can begin feeding on structural timbers and may even build concealed nests within wall cavities.
In some cases, if termites have been active in a building for an extended period, they can construct large internal nests that extend beyond wall linings. They create mud tubes (also known as galleries) that help regulate temperature and humidity, allowing them to survive and work undisturbed. These mud structures also offer protection from predators.
Contrary to popular belief, termites can tolerate light and even brief exposure to sunlight — provided their environment remains moist. In fact, some species don’t even require direct contact with the ground. If there is a sufficient moisture source within a building, they can establish nests entirely inside the structure.
Not All Termites Are Timber Pests
It's important to understand that not all termites feed on timber or pose a threat to buildings. Many species are beneficial to the ecosystem and help with natural decomposition. That’s why correct identification is essential before treatment. Targeting harmless species can lead to unnecessary expenses and ineffective control measures.
Ozzie Pest Solution provides expert termite inspections and identification services to ensure you’re treating the right pest — the right way. Don’t take chances with your property. Trust Melbourne’s specialists in termite control for honest advice and proven solutions.