Identification
Physical Identification
Size: Workers: 5-6mm. Soldiers: 3.5-5mm. Alates: 15-20mm including wings.
Coloration: Workers are creamy-white. Soldiers are distinct, with a very dark brown or black head and a lighter brown or orange body. Alates are dark brown to black.
Key Features: The soldier caste is unmistakable. They lack the typical pincer-like mandibles seen in other termites. Instead, their head is modified into a pointed, conical 'snout' or 'nozzle' called a nasus. They use this to spray a sticky, irritating defensive fluid at predators.
Body Structure: A classic soft-bodied termite form. The soldier caste is the definitive feature for this genus.
Biology & Lifecycle
Biology & Development
Development
Nymphs hatch from eggs and resemble small workers. Through a series of moults and hormonal cues, they develop into workers, soldiers, or winged alates.
Reproduction
A mature *Nasutitermes* queen is a prolific egg-layer, capable of producing several thousand eggs per day, ensuring rapid colony growth under favourable conditions.
Optimal Temperature: This genus thrives in warm, humid environments. Peak foraging and development occur at temperatures between 25°C and 35°C.
Social Structure
Eusocial, living in a large, integrated colony with a well-defined caste system (reproductives, workers, soldiers). The nasute soldiers often form a significant proportion of the colony.
Lifecycle Details
Life Cycle
Egg Stage
The queen, located in the core of the nest, lays thousands of tiny, jellybean-shaped eggs. Workers transport the eggs to nursery chambers and care for them until they hatch.
Nymphal Stage
Termites do not have a true larval stage. The hatchlings are called nymphs and are active participants in the colony, being fed and groomed by workers.
Adult Stage
Nymphs moult into their final adult forms. The sterile workers and soldiers live for approximately 1-2 years, working continuously for the colony. The primary queen is the longest-lived member, often surviving for more than 15 years and laying millions of eggs in her lifetime.
Development Time: The development pathway from egg to a functional worker or the unique nasute soldier takes several months, influenced by colony needs, temperature, and food supply.
Seasonal Cycle
Colony growth and foraging are at their maximum during the warm, wet months of spring and summer. The defining seasonal event is the swarming of alates. For species like *N. walkeri* on the east coast, this typically happens on warm, humid afternoons between November and February.
Habitat & Distribution
Habitat & Distribution
Preferred Habitats
- Moist coastal regions, including eucalypt forests and woodlands.
- Heathlands and coastal bushland.
- Suburban gardens and parklands, especially those with large, mature eucalypts.
- They are very common along the entire eastern seaboard of Australia.
Nesting Behavior
Many species, including the major pest *N. walkeri*, build large, dark, spherical or conical nests high up on tree trunks or in the forks of branches. The nest is made of a hard 'carton' material (a mix of chewed wood, saliva, and faeces). From this arboreal nest, they maintain a connection to the ground and their food sources via internal galleries in the tree and mud tubes.
Microhabitat
The nest acts as a self-regulating incubator and fortress, maintaining near-constant temperature and humidity.
Distribution Patterns
Distribution in Australia
Distribution: Very common along the coastal regions of Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory, and northern Western Australia. Their range extends into parts of Victoria and South Australia, but they are less common in these cooler states.
Climate Zones: Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate, Mediterranean
Native Range: Various species of *Nasutitermes* are native to Australia.
Limiting Factors: Their distribution is primarily limited by low temperatures and frost. They do not establish in cold inland or alpine regions.
Behavior & Diet
Behavior & Activity
Activity Pattern: Active 24/7 within their nest and protected mud tunnels. Foraging on external surfaces is usually nocturnal to avoid predators and dehydration.
Foraging Behavior
They forage for cellulose from a central nest. A key behaviour is the construction of extensive, dark, and robust mud tubes over exposed surfaces like tree trunks and foundation walls. These tubes protect them as they travel between the soil and the food source.
Defensive Behavior
Defence is the sole role of the nasute soldiers. When threatened, they exude a sticky, irritating chemical fluid from their snout-like head. This fluid can entangle and disable small enemies like ants.
Communication: Primarily through a complex system of chemical pheromones that regulate almost all aspects of colony life, from foraging trails to alarm signals.
Dietary Preferences
Diet & Feeding
Feeding Habits: They feed on cellulose from wood and other plant materials.
Primary Food Sources
- Hardwood and softwood timbers used in construction.
- The heartwood and sapwood of living trees, particularly eucalypts.
- Fences, poles, and other timber structures.
- Any wood in contact with the ground is particularly at risk.
- They can be very aggressive, attacking even sound, dry timber.
Foraging Range: Can forage over a wide area, with tunnels extending up to 50-100 metres from the central nest.
Feeding Schedule: The worker caste forages and feeds the colony non-stop, 24 hours a day.
Health Risks
Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to pest exposure.
Health Risks
Disease Transmission
- Zero risk. *Nasutitermes* termites do not bite or sting humans and are not vectors for any known human diseases.
Allergens: Similar to other termites, the main health concern is from airborne allergens. Dust from their nests, which contains faecal matter and fragments of nest material, can become airborne during renovations or if a nest is disturbed. This can trigger asthma attacks and allergic rhinitis in susceptible people.
Risk Level: Low. Health risks are indirect and limited to allergic reactions to nest dust or mould growing on termite-damaged timbers.
Vulnerable Populations
- People with asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions.
- Individuals with strong sensitivities to mould and dust mites.
- These groups may experience significant respiratory distress if exposed to high concentrations of dust from a large, concealed infestation.
Economic Impact
Economic Impact
Structural Damage
They are a major economic pest, causing severe damage to timber frames, floors, roofs, and joinery in homes. They can hollow out structural members, leading to loss of integrity.
Treatment Costs: $2000-$5000+. The cost for treating *Nasutitermes* can be high, often requiring a combination of nest treatment and the installation of a full chemical barrier or baiting system.
Agricultural Impact
Can cause significant damage in orchards and forestry plantations by attacking and killing living trees.
Business Impact: Extensive treatments may require temporary closure or relocation of business operations.
Detection & Signs
Signs of Nasutitermes Termite infestation may include visible specimens, droppings, damage to property, and unusual sounds or smells. Professional assessment is recommended for accurate identification.
Prevention
Sanitation Measures
- Remove potential nesting sites like dead trees and stumps from close proximity to the house.
- Do not stack firewood against the house. Keep it elevated and away from the structure.
- Clear all timber debris from the subfloor and around the foundations.
- Address all moisture problems immediately. Fix leaking pipes, taps, and gutters.
- Ensure good drainage and ventilation around and under the house.
Exclusion Methods
- The most reliable exclusion method is a chemical soil barrier applied by a licensed professional. This creates a treated zone that either kills or repels termites attempting to enter the structure.
- Physical barriers, such as termite mesh or collars, installed during construction can prevent concealed entry.
- Termite monitoring and baiting systems provide an excellent alternative, intercepting termites and eliminating the colony before they reach the house.
- Seal all cracks in concrete slabs and foundation walls.
Landscaping Tips
- Avoid planting trees that are highly susceptible to termites (like many eucalypts) very close to the house.
- Keep garden beds, plants, and mulch from touching the house walls to ensure inspection zones are clear.
- Ensure sprinklers and irrigation systems do not consistently wet the foundations of the house.
- Use termite-resistant materials for all landscaping, such as treated pine (H4/H5), steel, or masonry.
- Regularly inspect trees on your property for any signs of nest development.
Monitoring Strategies
- Annual professional termite inspections are the minimum standard of care for any property in their range.
- A professionally installed and monitored termite baiting system provides the best early warning and proactive control.
- As a homeowner, conduct 6-monthly visual checks of your property's perimeter, subfloor, and yard for mud tubes, nests, and damage.
- Be vigilant after major rain events, as this can stimulate termite activity.
Environmental Modification
- Improve subfloor ventilation to create a dry, uninviting environment.
- Lower soil levels or install drains if they are causing excessive moisture against the house.
- Remove any landscape features that bridge or obstruct physical termite barriers or inspection zones.
Control Methods
Chemical Control
Application of insecticidal dusts (e.g., fipronil dust) directly into workings. Creation of a liquid chemical barrier in the soil. Foaming of wall cavities.
Biological Control
Not a viable option for this pest.
Physical Control
Removal of the arboreal nest may be done as part of the treatment but is insufficient on its own. It mainly serves to confirm the species and remove the main reproductive hub.
Integrated Approach
A comprehensive Integrated Termite Management (ITM) plan is essential. This usually involves treating the nest directly if possible, followed by the installation of a chemical barrier or a baiting system to ensure complete colony elimination and long-term protection.
Treatment Effectiveness
Success Rate: Professional treatments, when carried out correctly, have a very high success rate.
Timeframe: Colony control can be achieved within several weeks with dusting, or over several months with baiting. A chemical barrier provides immediate structural protection.
Follow-up Required: Crucial. Post-treatment inspections are necessary to confirm the treatment was successful. Ongoing annual inspections are required to maintain any warranty and ensure long-term protection.
Seasonal Considerations: Treatment is effective year-round. Baiting may be faster during warmer months due to increased termite activity and feeding rates.
Professional Services
Professional Treatment Services
A comprehensive Integrated Termite Management (ITM) plan is essential. This usually involves treating the nest directly if possible, followed by the installation of a chemical barrier or a baiting system to ensure complete colony elimination and long-term protection.
Application Techniques
- Nest Treatment: Drilling into the arboreal nest and injecting it with a termiticide dust or liquid.
- Baiting Systems: Placing bait stations around the property. When activity is detected, a toxic bait is introduced, which is carried back to the nest and kills the entire colony.
- Chemical Barriers: Trenching and injecting hundreds of litres of liquid termiticide into the soil around the entire perimeter and under the slab of a house.
Follow-up Services
Crucial. Post-treatment inspections are necessary to confirm the treatment was successful. Ongoing annual inspections are required to maintain any warranty and ensure long-term protection.
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Seasonal Patterns
Seasonal Activity
Seasonal Cycle: Colony growth and foraging are at their maximum during the warm, wet months of spring and summer. The defining seasonal event is the swarming of alates. For species like *N. walkeri* on the east coast, this typically happens on warm, humid afternoons between November and February.
Environmental Factors
Moisture and temperature are the key environmental drivers. They require a constant source of moisture for survival and to break down timber. Their geographic distribution is almost entirely dictated by these climatic factors.
Activity Pattern: Active 24/7 within their nest and protected mud tunnels. Foraging on external surfaces is usually nocturnal to avoid predators and dehydration.
Legal Considerations
Legal Considerations
Termite control should be conducted by licensed pest control professionals in accordance with local regulations. Check with your local council for any specific requirements regarding termite treatments and chemical applications. Professional treatments may require notification to neighbors and adherence to safety protocols.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the weird-looking termite with the pointy head?
The termite with the pointy head is a 'nasute' soldier from the genus *Nasutitermes*. This is their most distinctive feature and makes them easy to identify. The pointed, snout-like head, called a nasus, is not for biting. It functions like a squirt gun, spraying a sticky, toxic, and repellent chemical stream at attackers, most commonly ants. This chemical warfare is a highly effective defence mechanism. If you see these pointy-headed soldiers during a termite inspection or by accidentally breaking one of their mud tubes, you know you are dealing with *Nasutitermes*, which is a major structural pest in Australia. Their presence requires immediate professional attention.
My pest controller said I have Nasutitermes. How serious is this?
An infestation of *Nasutitermes* is very serious. They are considered a major economic pest in Australia, responsible for causing extensive and severe damage to homes and other timber structures. While they are famous for their nests in trees, they forage long distances underground to find food sources, and your home's timber frame is a prime target. They can attack and consume both softwood and hardwood, hollowing out structural timbers and compromising the integrity of your house. Because of their large colony size and persistent foraging, the damage can be significant if left untreated. It is not a problem that will go away on its own. You should follow the advice of your licensed pest controller and implement a comprehensive treatment and protection plan without delay.
The Nasutitermes nest is in my neighbour's tree. Am I safe?
No, you are not safe. A *Nasutitermes* colony can forage for food up to 100 metres away from its central nest. A nest in your neighbour's yard is well within striking distance of your home. The termites travel through a network of hidden, underground tunnels. They do not respect property boundaries. The location of the nest simply tells you where the colony's headquarters are; it doesn't limit where their 'work crews' will go. The presence of a colony that close is a very high-risk situation for your property. You should immediately arrange for a professional termite inspection of your own home and consider installing a termite management system, like a chemical barrier or baiting system, for protection.
How do Nasutitermes get from the nest in the tree into my house?
Even though the main nest may be high up in a tree, *Nasutitermes* colonies always maintain a connection to the ground. They travel down the inside of the tree trunk or in protected mud galleries on the outside. Once they reach the soil, they create a vast network of subterranean tunnels to search for food. They enter your house from the ground up. The most common entry points are through tiny, unsealed cracks in your concrete slab, gaps around pipes and utilities that penetrate the slab, or by building their mud tubes up over the outside of your foundation walls or piers to reach the timber framing. They can also enter via wooden deck posts or steps that are in direct contact with the ground.
Are Nasutitermes active in winter?
Yes, *Nasutitermes* are active throughout the winter, although their level of activity may be reduced. In the colder southern parts of Australia, their external foraging in the soil may slow down considerably. However, once a colony is established inside a house, the relatively stable and warm temperatures allow them to remain active and continue to consume timber 24/7, all year round. You should not assume that the termites have gone away just because it's winter. The damage will continue to occur, even if you don't see external signs like swarming. This is why year-round protection and vigilance are so important.
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