Termites (commonly known as "white ants") are small insects. They differ from ants in appearance and they feed off the cellulose in wood. Working largely unseen under the surface, they can tunnel through the wooden structural members in buildings and completely destroy them. Wood that comes in contact with the soil, such as the exterior trim or cladding on your home, provides a perfect point of entry for a termite colony.
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Studies have revealed that as many as 1 in every 5 Australian homes are attacked at some stage during their lives by this ruinous insect. Clearly it is important to take every action possible to prevent their menace.
The most commonly encountered termites are subterranean termites. Living in large underground nests they travel through the soil and then build mud tunnels to gain access to the timber in your home. Once inside, the worker termites chew up the timber to feed the rest of the colony. This often leaves timbers hollow inside and structurally unsound.