Feature: Termites | 53
SUMMARY
■ Subterranean termites are endemic in southern Europe and France
■ Isolated cases were discovered in the UK in 1994, 2009 and 2010
■ The two species of concern are subterranean and drywood termites
■ Climate change necessitates extra vigilance
TERMINATORS TERMITE The BRE’s Dr Ed Suttie and ANH Consultancy’s Dr Rob Verkerk explain why it’s important to raise awareness of the threat of termites in the UK
Globally, termites are regarded as the most economically damaging urban pests given their potential to severely damage timber in buildings. Conversely, in natural forest systems, grasslands and other natural ecosystems, especially in the tropics, they are regarded as ‘soil engineers’ that are vital to nutrient cycling, the maintenance of soil structure and ecosystem balance. Termites are predominantly tropical and sub-tropical in distribution. However, mainly as a result of human activity and warming climates, they are found in increasingly more northern and southern latitudes. Subterranean termites are endemic in southern Europe and in France where a so-called ‘termite law’ exists regarding the construction of buildings to ensure they are protected against termites.
DEVON TERMITES
Whilst termites are not endemic in the UK, subterranean termites (of the species Reticulitermes grassei) were initially discovered in a private property in Devon in 1994 and became the subject of an intensive eradication and monitoring programme in 1998 when it was found the termites were distributed across at least two properties. This infestation remains the only known established infestation of subterranean termites to be recorded in the UK but despite initial success in bringing about the collapse of the infestation, a localised reappearance of termites was recorded in 2009 and 2010 resulting in the eradication and monitoring programme being extended.
The programme being managed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local
Government (MHCLG) and conducted by BRE will conclude in October 2021 with the declaration, in all likelihood, that eradication has been successful. This significant milestone is a great achievement and will be confirmed by the members of the steering group for the programme. However, in the face of climate change we must also remain vigilant and aware that termites might still be being brought into the UK. Part of the closing phase of the programme is to ensure a legacy of improved termite awareness within the construction and surveying communities. This will help provide a more rapid response should termites occur again in the UK.
WHAT TYPE OF TERMITES? The economically important termite species (that can cause damage timber in buildings) are subterranean termites and drywood termites. There are a number of key distinctions (see table).
Subterranean termites Require a continuous source of moisture Concealed in earthen or mud workings
Generally consume wood along the grain, preferring softer, spring growth and often leaving intact wafers of timber comprised of harder summer growth
Often form large colonies or inter-connected colonies comprised of thousands or millions of worker termites
Termites are difficult to identify to species, this normally requiring either the soldiers, each species with definitive head shapes and structures, or alates, with distinct wing structures and patterns of venation. The three key signs of infestation include the presence of damaged timber, signs of live termites and signs of termite workings. Timber may appear sound on the outside, but be hollow as a result of termite activity on the inside. The damage may be checked by ‘sounding’, which involves tapping the timber with a solid object, such as the handle of a screwdriver.
HOW COULD TERMITES GET TO THE UK? There is a wide variety of ways in which termites could be imported into the UK, these almost certainly involving facilitation by humans.
The significance of importation is very different for subterranean termites compared with drywood termites, the latter being ►
Drywood termites Rely on moisture content of dead wood
Produce ‘kick’ holes from which they expel poppy seed-like faecal pellets
Generally consume wood across the grain, consuming both spring and summer growth
Colonies are often small, typically comprising fewer than 250 workers, although multiple colonies can exist in the same piece of wood
www.ttjonline.com | September/October 2021 | TTJ
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