The answer really comes down to PERSPECTIVE.
If you are a Bird, Lizard, Ant, Plant or make Didjeridoos, you will definitely say termites are GOOD.
Termites are a food source for many of our native animals, who rely on termites as a food source, especially during dry periods when food is scarce above ground.
Termites also make the earth porous, which improves water infiltration. This minimises runoff, and increases absorption of water into the earth. It is this moisture that is so critical for plants to germinate and grow which we ultimately consume as food on our tables.
We cannot ignore the cultural importance of the didjeridoo. Without termites, the hollow timber raw material would not be available for Aboriginal craftsmen to make this unique instrument.
But it’s not all GOOD….
If you have been unfortunate enough to have had your home attacked by termites, you will definitely say termites are BAD.
Termites thrive in humid bushland climates, which Sydney is known for. As the city continues to spread to consume bushlands, we remove natural habitat which is the natural food source for termites. That’s when termites go looking for available food in a home.
1 in 5 homes are attacked by termites at some point in their lifetime. So in a typical suburban street you are on average 4 houses away from past or present attack. Termite nests can be found over 50m away from a home. So the nest can be on another property but the damage can spread to your home.
Termites cause more than $780 million in damage per annum in Australia. None of this is covered by home insurance. Insurance companies classify damage from pests such as termites as preventable, since pest control is the home-owners responsibility in the normal up-keep of the building.
Termites are often hidden from the outside world. They usually stay underground, and eat timber from the inside out. It is only when they build an external tunnel to access timbers, or they are detected inside timbers due to renovation or professional pest inspection, that they are exposed. That is why AS3660.2 recommends that building owners inspect for termites at a maximum of 12 monthly intervals, and more frequently for high risk sites.
So are termites GOOD or BAD?
It depends if you are going to eat THEM, or they are going to eat YOUR HOME!!
This article was written by Knockout Pest Control by Rentokil‘s General Manager and Termite Expert Dean Hopping
