If you have an old Queenslander-type home in Bayside Brisbane that has Hoope Pine Vj’s and floorboards, you are highly susceptible to West Indian Drywood Termites.

And from 1 July 2023, you are alone. The Queensland government has withdrawn its funding of the fumigation programme. It is now the homeowner’s total responsibility to treat (fumigate).

Drywood Termites are super hard to detect

West Indian drywood termite (WIDT) is difficult to detect as it can establish very small colonies in concealed areas of your home. Unlike Subterranean Termites, they do not need contact with soil moisture and can establish independent colonies within a structure.

These colonies can be very small and hard to detect because the openings to galleries become sealed with faecal pellets known as frass.

They fly into your home!

It can take around 5 years (or even longer) for WIDT to be detectable. The signs of infestation include:

• frass appearing in the corners of rooms
• termites and/or wings appearing in rooms after storms in late spring or early summer.

Timber close to the frass pile will have a small exit hole (1mm diameter), but this may be sealed and difficult to see.

What kinds of timber Drywood Termites like?

WIDT is commonly found in pine (especially hoop pine) and in cabinet woods such as maples (Flindersia species), red cedar (Toona australis) and silky oak (Grevillea robusta).

Damage is generally restricted to construction timber, wooden furniture and relocated houses. WIDT is not known to occur in the bush.

What should you do if you think you have WIDT?

West Indian drywood termite (WIDT) is a restricted pest under the Biosecurity Act 2014. If you find evidence of its activity, you must report it to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries within 24 hours. Call Customer Service Centre on 13 25 23 or online.

For more information, press this link: West Indian drywood termite | Business Queensland

Conquer Termites - Drywood Specialist

If you need an expert experienced technician to check your home to identify and offer advice about West Indian Drywood Termites, don’t hesitate to contact us on 1300 417 007