Termite Nest Elimination Melbourne

Nest Location

If a building is under termite attack, it makes sense to try and find the nest causing the problem. As one of the foremost termite treatment solutions, taking time to inspect the property around buildings under termite attack, with special attention to trees and tree stumps, is key to any successful treatment. However, inspections to AS 3660.2 are visual and non-intrusive- and while it includes a visual inspection of potential nest habitat in gardens and trees, it is not the most effective way to search for a termite nest in the Melbourne environment.

If we recommend that an 'intrusive nest search' is worthwhile as a separate service from the inspection, we will drill and temperature probe selected trees and stumps usually in the immediate area around an infested building. If we locate a nest, usually by following a heat source with temperature probes, it can usually be clearly demonstrated that it is indeed a termite nest with a Queen (s), and not merely a tree containing just feeding termites.

We are most successful at nest location in the treed outer Melbourne suburbs where the species Coptotermes frenchi is located. We have far less success at nest locations in inner urban areas where, even if there are trees present, they don't seem to contain the nests of the 'urban termite' Coptotermes acinaciformis.

Apart from assisting us in managing the termite infestations of our clients, we also provide nest location services in parks and reserves for councils, typically where residents have noticed the 'tell-tale' evidence of flying termites emanating from a tree.

What if we find a termite nest?

If we are successful at locating a termite nest then we 'stop and think'. If we plan to protect the building with soil treatment, then we would probably proceed and treat the nest site directly with a non-repellent liquid termiticide. Simple.

However, what if we would prefer to do a 'baiting program' on the termites actually feeding in an infested building so that we know that we are treating the 'right' termites? A treatment directly into a nest outside the building may compromise any baiting program and so increase uncertainty. So, in such cases, we would probably prefer to stand aside from direct nest treatment until the termite baiting program is complete. We would then re-check the nest outside (in a tree). It is usually dead. Killed by the baits from the building. However, sometimes it is alive. In which case we would then treat it directly- thereby killing two termite nests, not just one.

What we if we cannot find a termite nest?

Although finding and destroying local termite colonies around the building is good practice, it is often not practical to achieve. In fact, in many situations, such as the inner city where there may be no overt tree habitat, we do not attempt nest location.

Fortunately, we have modern methods of killing a hidden and remote termite nest- even without actually finding it, and successful outcomes are possible when the nest remain unlocated.

What's next after colony control?

Eliminating active termites from the building and destroying any termite colonies may stop the current termite attack, but it won't prevent a building from being attacked in the future. A plan that provides on-going termite management into the future will always be recommended by our specialists. This typically involves either 'soil treatment' or a 'monitoring program' together with regular inspections.

Key facts about termite nests