Identification
Workers are pale, soft-bodied and about 3–4mm long, with a straight-sided body and short antennae. Ants, by contrast, have a pinched waist and elbowed antennae. If you see pale insects inside mud, you have termites.
Signs of activity
- Mud tunnels on piers, slab edges and foundation walls
- Hollow-sounding or rippled timber and paintwork
- Doors and windows that suddenly stick
- Winged alates swarming at dusk, usually after summer rain
- Discarded wings on windowsills
Control
Don't disturb the workings. Treatment options include direct nest dosing, baiting systems and chemical soil barriers. Which one suits depends on the species, the building and the site. Read our full termite guide.
