What Do Termites Look Like? Perth Identification Guide

What termites look like close up

Termites are sometimes called white ants, but they are not ants at all. They belong to a different insect order, Isoptera, and are more closely related to cockroaches.

They have no waist between the thorax and abdomen, and their antennae are bead-like. Workers are unpigmented (pale), blind and wingless. They rarely leave the nest because their thin skin dries out easily; they travel inside mud galleries and tunnels instead.

Termite galleries eaten through a piece of timber — Termite galleries eaten through timber.

How termites differ from ants

Termites and ants are often confused, but they are different insects. Termites have no waist between the thorax and abdomen, with bead-like antennae. They belong to order Isoptera and are more closely related to cockroaches than to ants (order Hymenoptera).

A termite colony usually has one main queen. The king fertilises the queen and helps tend the young during the early stages of the colony. Soldiers defend the colony. You may spot mud tubes on walls or skirtings, or find piles of discarded wings near a light after a swarm.

Signs termites are active in your Perth home

Termites do not announce themselves until damage is already underway. Subterranean termites remain inside mud galleries and underground tunnels, so you rarely see the colony itself. What you might notice:

Mud leads or shelter tubes running up an external or internal wall, skirting or door frame
Hollow-sounding timber when tapped with a screwdriver or tapping tool
Discarded wings near windowsills or lights (shed wings are a sign termites have swarmed)
Buckling or warping of flooring or skirtings
Doors and window frames that stick or are hard to close

In Perth's northern suburbs, timber damage can appear in roof voids and sub-floors.

When termites swarm in Perth

Termite colonies produce winged reproductives (alates) that leave the colony to establish new ones. These flights occur during warm, humid weather and usually take place during spring and autumn. The alates usually swarm at dusk and may be drawn to lights. After landing, they shed their wings, find a mate and begin a new colony. Piles of shed wings near lights are a sign of termite presence.

Coastal suburbs from Sorrento to Yanchep sit on deep Spearwood and Quindalup sands: free-draining and warm. Further inland, limestone ridge suburbs like Greenwood, Warwick and Kingsley have shallow limestone that affects moisture. Both are high-risk territory. Risk increases if your property backs onto or sits within a few streets of reserve bush like Yellagonga Regional Park or Warwick Bushland, where subterranean termites are present.

What you can do to reduce risk

Termites need food (wood) and water to stay alive. By removing access to these, you reduce the risk of attack. Practical steps include:

Remove garden beds and mulch against the walls
Keep gutters and downpipes clear so water does not pool near the foundation
Fix leaking taps and air-conditioner drains promptly
Do not store timber, firewood, stumps or treated offcuts on the ground near the house
Trim branches so they do not touch the roof or walls
Ensure the roof manhole and sub-floor (if your home has one) are clear and accessible for inspection
Photograph mud tubes and do not disturb them before a professional inspection

These measures reduce harbourage and moisture, but they do not replace a professional inspection. Termites travel through underground tunnels from the colony to food sources.

What not to do if you suspect termites

If you find a mud tube or hollow-sounding timber, do not spray, disturb or break it open.

Do not assume that because the mud tubes look old they are safe.

Already sprayed and not sure? Get it checked. Many homeowners have applied a general pest spray from a supermarket and later found active termites deeper in the structure. Send us a photo of the damage to 0468 170 107 and describe what you have done. We will advise whether a full inspection is needed. If you are unsure whether you have termites or ants, see our guide to how to get rid of ants.

When to call a professional termite inspection

A professional termite inspection is the first step of any treatment plan. Moisture readings and tapping confirm risk areas. The report shows what was found, what could not be accessed, and what to do next.

Work is carried out by, or under the direct supervision of, a technician holding a WA pest management technician's licence. We are a WA Department of Health registered pest management business PMB 3000.

If live termites are found, the next step is a treatment plan. Options include a chemical management system installed around the perimeter or a baiting and monitoring system. Both are quoted separately after the inspection, with drawings showing where the system will be installed.

Inspection cost

The report is emailed as a PDF, usually the same day. If live termites are found, a management system is quoted separately. Annual inspections are recommended to keep any management certificate current and to catch new activity early.

See the investment guide for a full breakdown of termite inspection and treatment costs. Text your suburb and what you are seeing to 0468 170 107 for a written price.

Frequently asked

What do white ants look like?

Termites are sometimes called white ants, but the name is misleading. They have no waist and bead-like antennae. Soldiers have darker, larger heads. They are not ants; they belong to the Order Isoptera and are more closely related to cockroaches.

How big are termite soldiers?

Soldiers have darker heads than workers and are sometimes larger, but mostly the same body size. They are tougher than other castes and take longer to die from toxins or starvation.

Can you see termites without an inspection?

Rarely. Termites live inside mud galleries and remain hidden from light because they have thin skin that dries out easily. You may see discarded wings after a swarm, find a mud tube, or notice hollow-sounding timber. These are signs to call a professional.

Are termites active all year in Perth?

Alates (winged reproductives) usually swarm in spring to early summer or late summer to early autumn, under conditions of high humidity and still air. An annual inspection is recommended in Perth's northern suburbs to catch new activity early.

What attracts termites to a Perth house?

Termites need wood and water. The warm, sandy soil in Perth's northern suburbs is easy for them to tunnel through.

Can I treat termites myself?

Termite treatment with pesticides is carried out by a technician holding a WA pest management technician's licence. An inspection is the first step of any treatment plan.

What is the difference between a termite inspection and a timber pest inspection?

The inspection method is the same and both follow AS 4349.3. A pre-purchase inspection is written for a buyer, with more weight on limitations and conducive conditions to negotiate on, and the report is longer.

Do I need an inspection every year?

The Australian Standard recommends inspections at intervals not exceeding 12 months. In Perth's northern suburbs where risk is higher, annual inspection is the sensible default. If you have a termite management system installed, annual inspections are required to keep the certificate current (terms at djpest.com.au/warranty).

Sources

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