Termites

Termites, or the commonly misnamed "white ants" are social insects, usually living in a nest in a large community with different castes. Termites fall naturally into two groups:

Subterranean termites: Have a nest structure with a nursery and a foraging gallery system that must be connected to the soil as a source of moisture. Galleries within timber have walls plastered with faeces. External galleries are of mud or carton material. Most termite species are subterranean in habit.
Drywood termites: Live entirely in galleries within timber except for very short bridging galleries between adjacent pieces of timber. There is no connection to the soil. The walls of these galleries are clean, as faeces accumulate as free running pellets or frass, about the consistency of coarse pepper.

Controlling termites

For the control or exclusion of termites, a choice exists using:

barriers formed by treating the soil with an appropriate persistent insecticide
physical barriers of metal shielding, such as stump capping
materials immune or highly resistant to termite attack

Further information

In Queensland, there is no law governing the control of termites, therefore should you encounter termite attack on the Gold Coast, the responsibility for control rests with the property owner. Termite control on private property is a civil matter between neighbouring property owners.

For termite control on public property (such as parks) contact Council's Pest Management Unit between via phone (07) 5581 7914 between 7.30 am and 3.30 pm, Monday to Friday.