Termites are widespread throughout Australia, including Newcastle and the Hunter Region. Colonies may establish nests underground, inside tree stumps, in hollow trees or within living trees. Although termites play an important role in breaking down plant material, some species can damage trees and nearby buildings.
Finding termites in a tree does not necessarily mean the tree is dying. They may be feeding on dead or decaying heartwood while the living parts of the tree remain healthy. However, extensive internal damage can weaken a tree or indicate existing decay, so the activity should be professionally assessed.
If you notice mud shelter tubes, termite workings or live termites around a tree, avoid disturbing the area. Newcastle Pest Exterminators can identify the activity and inspect nearby structures for additional signs of termites. If the tree appears unstable, has large dead branches or could fall onto a building, it should also be assessed by a qualified arborist.
What are Termites?
Termites are social insects that live in organised colonies containing workers, soldiers and reproductive termites. Most of the termites within a colony are wingless. Winged reproductive termites, known as alates, emerge from mature colonies to establish new nests.
Termites are sometimes called “white ants”, but this name is misleading because termites are not ants. They feed on cellulose found in wood and other plant material. Subterranean termites usually maintain contact with soil or another moisture source and construct enclosed shelter tubes to move between their nest and food sources.
Signs of Termites in Trees
Possible signs of termite activity around a tree include:
- Mud shelter tubes running over the trunk, exposed roots or nearby soil
- Earthy, mud-like material packed into cracks, hollows or damaged timber
- Live termites beneath loose bark or within decayed sections of wood
- Timber that sounds hollow or contains enclosed galleries when professionally examined
- Winged termites emerging from the tree or piles of equal-sized discarded wings nearby
- Significant internal hollows, weakened limbs or sections of timber that break unusually easily
Discarded wings may indicate that a mature colony is nearby, but they do not prove that the colony is inside that particular tree. Similarly, holes, dying branches and wood debris can have several causes and should not be used alone to diagnose termites.
Mud shelter tubes are strong evidence of subterranean termite activity. However, a professional inspection is still needed to identify the termite species, locate the colony and determine whether nearby buildings are also at risk.
What to Do if You Find Termites in a Tree
If you find suspected termite activity, do not spray the termites, break open their workings, drill into the tree or remove the affected timber. Disturbing the area can cause termites to retreat into concealed galleries, making the colony more difficult to locate.
Contact a licensed pest management professional to identify the termites and inspect the tree, surrounding soil and nearby structures. Treating one visible section of a tree does not necessarily eliminate the colony or protect your home.
If the tree has large hollows, dead branches, cracks, an unusual lean or other structural defects, keep people and vehicles away from the potential fall zone and arrange an assessment by a qualified arborist. Pest controllers assess and manage termite activity, while arborists assess the tree’s health and likelihood of branch or trunk failure.
Do not remove or heavily prune the tree without first checking Newcastle council requirements. The presence of termites alone does not always justify tree removal.
Reducing Termite Risks Around Trees and Buildings
It is impossible to remove every termite from the natural environment, but you can reduce the risk of termites reaching your home:
- Arrange regular professional termite inspections of the house, outbuildings and surrounding property.
- Keep firewood, untreated timber and cardboard away from the building and off the ground.
- Remove unnecessary timber debris and dead stumps close to the house after obtaining appropriate advice or approval.
- Repair leaking taps, pipes and drainage problems that keep soil or timber damp.
- Keep weep holes, slab edges and termite inspection zones visible.
- Avoid piling soil, mulch or garden beds over the edge of the building’s slab or termite management system.
- Maintain adequate ventilation beneath suspended timber floors.
- Have suspicious trees and stumps inspected instead of applying household insecticide.
Removing a termite-affected tree does not guarantee that nearby buildings will be protected. A colony may be located underground or somewhere else on the property, so the building should also be inspected.
Concerned About Termites in a Tree?
Termite activity in a tree deserves investigation, particularly when the tree is close to a house, fence, retaining wall or other timber structure. The objective is not simply to treat the termites that are visible. A proper assessment should determine where the activity is coming from, whether the colony threatens nearby buildings and whether the tree has developed structural weaknesses.
Newcastle Pest Exterminators can inspect the affected area, identify the termite activity and recommend an appropriate management plan. Where tree safety is a concern, an arborist may also be required. Contact Newcastle Pest Exterminators to arrange an inspection.
