Identifying the 3 Most Destructive Termite Species in Queensland

Key Takeaways

• Coptotermes acinaciformis is the most economically significant and widespread termite in Australia and can cause severe damage in a few months to a year.
• Schedorhinotermes often works under plaster, so damage is hard to detect until it is severe, and its multiple nests make baiting less effective.
• Mastotermes darwiniensis is found in tropical northern Queensland, and Cryptotermes brevis lives in dry timber.
• Different species need different treatment, so there is no one-size-fits-all method.
• Book a termite inspection so the species can be identified before treatment starts.

Coptotermes acinaciformis: The Most Common Threat

No pest is more destructive to property than termites. CSIRO figures suggest that about 32% of Australian homes have some termite activity. They eat away at timber and building materials, creating significant structural harm within years or months if left alone.

This is particularly problematic as they work silently out of sight. In this guide, we cover the types of termites found in Queensland and why the difference matters for prevention and treatment. Termites can feed inside:

• Walls and structural timbers.
• Furniture, paper and insulation.
• Even plastics, in some cases.

Coptotermes acinaciformis is an Australian subterranean termite. Workers have pale and soft bodies, while the soldiers have brown, pear-shaped heads and large jaws. The soldiers also produce a latex-like substance when provoked. The seasonal alates are dark brown and have four equal wings.

• Nest: underground, beneath concrete slabs, within the base of a tree and within wall cavities.
• Behaviour: sprawling tunnel networks to reach food without ever surfacing above ground.
• Food: cellulose from timber, trees and other plant matter, which makes them highly destructive to timber within houses.
• Signs: mud tubes, peeling paint, discarded wings, and sticky doors and windows.

Schedorhinotermes: The Secondary Structure Invaders

Schedorhinotermes termites are common in Asia and Australasia. They are known for making subterranean multi-nested colonies in tree stumps, under structures and within wall cavities. They also create mud-packed tunnels and galleries within timber.

This species has two types of soldiers: large major soldiers (with bulbous heads) and smaller minor soldiers (with narrower heads). They feed on cellulose, particularly wood, so they can cause huge structural damage to homes and commercial buildings.

• They often work under earthen plastering, making damage hard to detect until it is severe.
• Their tendency to build multiple nests makes traditional baiting, a common control technique, less effective.
• Because of this complex nature, professional help matters.

Infestations are usually treated using a combination of dusting, foaming, soil treatments and baiting. Often, multiple treatments will be required for multi-nested colonies.

Other Termite Species

There are 2 additional species of termite in Queensland.

• Mastotermes darwiniensis is found in tropical northern Queensland. It will eat virtually anything, including rubber tyres, plastic, leather and lead-covered tables. Thankfully, it is rarely found elsewhere in Australia.
• Cryptotermes brevis lives within dry timber and is difficult to detect until damage is severe, because it leaves a thin outer shell of wood intact. Infestation is limited to structural timbers and wooden furniture.

The Damage Profile of Local Queensland Termites

Coptotermes acinaciformis is the most economically significant and widespread species in Australia. It is extremely aggressive, attacks a wide range of timbers and damages non-timber material such as electrical cables. It can cause severe structural damage in just a few months to a year.

Schedorhinotermes intermedius can cause sudden and extensive damage. Mature colonies can destroy home frames in 12 months.

Species	Type	Where it nests	Why it matters
Coptotermes acinaciformis	Subterranean	Underground, under slabs, in trees and wall cavities	Most widespread and economically significant, with damage in months to a year
Schedorhinotermes	Subterranean, multi-nested	Stumps, under structures, wall cavities	Hidden under plaster, and baiting is less effective
Mastotermes darwiniensis	Tropical northern Queensland	Soil and timber	Eats almost anything but is rarely found elsewhere
Cryptotermes brevis	Drywood	Inside dry timber	Hard to detect until damage is severe

How Do You Know Which Species You Have?

Coptotermes acinaciformis is the most widespread species in Australia. Mastotermes darwiniensis is found in tropical northern Queensland and is rarely found elsewhere. Your technician confirms the species on site, because the signs of different termites can look alike.

• Take photos of mud tubes, damaged timber and any wings.
• Collect a sample of live termites, if you can do so without disturbing the nest.
• Note the date and the location of each sign.
• Keep treatment records and inspection reports, so any future technician can see what was found before.
• Avoid spraying or breaking open tubes, because it can scatter the colony.

Why Quick Species Identification is Critical for Treatment

Identifying the species of termite that has infested your property is important, as different species require different control methods. There is no one-size-fits-all method.

• Subterranean termites such as Coptotermes acinaciformis or Schedorhinotermes need methods like chemical soil barriers or baiting systems that target the colony’s central location.
• Drywood termites such as Cryptotermes brevis need localised treatments, and fumigation is generally reserved for severe cases.

Knowing the species is also important for finding the central nest, which is key to an effective treatment. Our guide to the lifecycle of a termite colony shows how fast each stage moves, and our termite behaviour guide explains what draws them in.

Do You Have a Termite Infestation? Call Us

Control Pest Management can help. Our termite inspection service will identify the species on your property and recommend the most effective treatment plan. Our technicians are licensed, fully insured and police checked, and our treatments are suitable for children and pets. We service the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gladstone and Logan. Request a free quote or call 1300 357 246.