Latest news with #termites
News.com.au
29-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Queensland homebuyer battle: We bought a termite-infested house
Zara and Shaun Sarson thought they were buying a forever home for their family, but were left with nothing but a mortgage to pay off. The Gold Coast couple is up to $400,000 out of pocket and still rebuilding six years after purchasing a property so riddled with termites it had to be demolished. Ms Sarson said she hoped others could benefit from new seller disclosure laws aimed at avoiding disputes by giving buyers essential information before exchanging contracts. 'Maybe our case helped to push it through,' the mother-of-three said of the reforms, coming into effect in Queensland in August. MORE NEWS Former Indy boss selling luxury apartment Lasers give 'superhuman vision' to natural disasters World bikini champ buys epic Aus mansion But despite a raft of tough new requirements, sellers still don't have to reveal pest infestation or asbestos, among other items. The couple had carried out due diligence before buying their $660,000 Elanora home in 2019, obtaining pest and building reports which did not identify any evidence of termite activity or damage. But three months after moving in, they found live termites crawling out of a power socket and engaged another pest inspector who confirmed structural damage. 'Shaun and I bought a house that we thought would be our forever family home but we were left with nothing but a mortgage to pay off,' the 42-year-old said. 'We got told it was a good solid house by our building and pest inspector so we bought it. 'Every single beam was eaten out by termites.' The couple tried unsuccessfully to sell the land, but had to take out a second mortgage to build a new house on the same block. The ordeal has left them battling to make ends meet, despite a confidential settlement with the pest inspector behind their pre-purchase report. 'We spent the past six years working like crazy just to try to somehow get on top of it again. 'And we're still finishing off the build.' Originally published as Family still rebuilding six years on from buying termite-riddled home
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Fossilised log reveals secrets of 120 million-year-old polar forests
Imagine a lush forest with tree ferns, their trunks capped by ribbon-like fronds. Conifers tower overhead, bearing triangular leaves almost sharp enough to pierce skin. Flowering plants are both small and rare. You're standing in what is now Victoria, Australia, about 127 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous Period. Slightly to your south, a massive river – more than a kilometre wide – separates you from Tasmania. This river flows along the valley forming between Australia and Antarctica as the two continents begin to split apart. During the Early Cretaceous, southeastern Australia was some of the closest land to the South Pole. Here, the night lasted for three months in winter, contrasting with three months of daytime in summer. Despite this extreme day-night cycle, various kinds of dinosaurs still thrived here, as did flies, wasps and dragonflies. And, as our recently published research in Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology reveals, termites also chewed through the decaying wood of fallen trees. This is the first record of termites living in a polar region – and their presence provides key insights into what these ancient forests were like. Home makers, not homewreckers Termites might have a public reputation as homewreckers. But these wood-eating bugs are a key part of many environments, freeing up nutrients contained in dead plants. They are one of the best organisms at breaking down large amounts of wood, and significantly speed up the decay of fallen wood in forests. The breakdown of wood by termites makes it easier for further consumption by other animals and fungi. Their role in ancient Victoria's polar forests would have been just as important, as the natural decay of wood is very slow in cold conditions. Although the cold winters would have slowed termites too, they may have thrived during long periods of darkness, just as modern termites are more active during the night. The oldest termite nest in Australia Our new paper, led by Monash University palaeontology research associate Jonathan Edwards, reports the discovery of an ancient termite nest near the coastal town of Inverloch in southeastern Victoria. Preserved in a 80-centimetre-long piece of fossilised log, the nest tunnels carved out by termites were first spotted by local fossil-hunter extraordinaire Melissa Lowery. Without its discoverers knowing what it was then, the log was brought into the lab and we began investigating the origins of its structures. Understanding the nest was challenging at first: the tunnels exposed on the surface were filled with what looked like tiny grains of rice, each around 2 millimetres long. We suspected they were most likely the coprolites (fossilised poo) of the nest-makers. Once we took a look under the microscope we noticed something very interesting: this poo was hexagonal. How did this shape point to termites as the 'poopetrators'? Modern termites have a gut with three sets of muscle bands. Just before excretion, their waste is squeezed to save as much water as possible, giving an almost perfect hexagonal shape to the pellets. The size, shape, distribution and quantity of coprolites meant we had just discovered the oldest termite nest in Australia – and perhaps the largest termite wood nest from dinosaur times. A global distribution We continued to investigate the nest with more specific methods. For example, we scanned parts of it with the Australian Synchrotron – a research facility that uses X-rays and infrared radiation to see the structure and composition of materials. This showed us what the unweathered coprolites inside the log looked like. We also made very thin slices of the nest and looked at these slices with high-powered microscopes. And we analysed the chemistry of the log, which further supported our original theory of the nest's identity. The oldest fossilised termites have been found in the northern hemisphere about 150 million years ago, during the Late Jurassic Period. What is exciting is that our trace fossils show they had reached the southernmost landmasses by 127 million years ago. This presence means they had likely spread all over Earth by this point. The termites weren't alone Surprisingly, these termites also had smaller wood-eating companions. During our investigation, we also noticed coprolites more than ten times smaller than those made by termites. These pellets likely belonged to wood-eating oribatid mites – minuscule arachnids with fossils dating back almost 400 million years. Many of their tunnels ring those left by the termites, telling us they inhabited this nest after the termites abandoned it. Termite tunnels may have acted as mite highways, taking them deeper into the log. Moreover, because both groups ate the toughest parts of wood, these two invertebrates might have directly competed at the time. Modern oribatid mites only eat wood affected by fungi. Regardless, our study documents the first known interaction of wood-nesting termites and oribatid mites in the fossil record. This nest also provides important support for the idea that Australia's polar forests weren't dominated by ice, as modern termites can't tolerate prolonged freezing. This is the first record of termites living in a polar region, and their presence suggests relatively mild polar winters — something like 6°C on average. Termites would've been key players in these ecosystems, kickstarting wood breakdown and nutrient cycling in an otherwise slow environment. So maybe next time you spot a termite nest, you'll see a builder, not a bulldozer. Alistair Evans is a Professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Monash University. Anthony J. Martin is a Professor of Practice in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Emory University.
Gizmodo
29-05-2025
- General
- Gizmodo
Two of the World's Worst Termites Hooked Up in Florida—and Now We're Screwed
A termite horror story a decade in the making is unfolding in South Florida. Two of the most destructive invasive termites on the planet are not only coexisting—they're mating. And now, scientists have confirmed that the populations are hybridized. In a new study published this month in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, researchers from the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) report that the Formosan subterranean termite and the Asian subterranean termite are crossbreeding and producing viable offspring in South Florida neighborhoods. The result is a new hybrid termite population that could cause even more environmental and structural damage than its already-devastating parents. 'Unfortunately, termite colonies are very cryptic and trying to find hybrid colonies in the field is like looking for a needle in a haystack,' said Thomas Chouvenc, a researcher at the University of Florida and lead author of the study, in a university release. 'We monitored termite activity closely for more than a decade to check for the establishment of hybrid colonies in some of the neighborhoods affected by the two termite species.' Genetic testing confirmed that the strange-looking termites first spotted in 2021 were hybrids of the aforementioned species. 'At first, I could not believe it, as I was hoping to never find it,' Chouvenc said. In October 2024, the researchers discovered a full-blown hybrid colony in a Fort Lauderdale park, which had likely been active for more than five years before being detected. Chouvenc said that there are likely many more hundreds of colonies across South Florida that have not yet been found. Both parent species are prolific breeders, capable of forming massive colonies and spreading rapidly. The fact that these hybrids are swarming—and potentially just as fertile—raises major red flags. Fort Lauderdale's status as a global boating hub may accelerate the spread. 'This may be a Florida story now, but it likely won't stay just in Florida,' Chouvenc warned. Private boats have previously been implicated in termite spread across the U.S. and internationally. Termite hybridization is not just an American problem; the phenomenon has also been observed in Taiwan, suggesting that crossbreeding between the species may be unavoidable in areas where they coexist. In the meantime, Florida's latest invasive residents are combining forces to chomp their way across the state—and beyond.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
They Bought Their Dream Home. 3 Days Later, It Was Infested with Termites (Exclusive)
Just three days after closing, Hailey Aguirre discovered termites in her 'dream' home A burst pipe followed the termite incident, flooding parts of the house and intensifying the couple's stress and regret Now wary of the home-buying process, Hailey urges future buyers to demand multiple inspections and find a strong real estate advocateA dream home turned into a nightmare for Hailey Aguirre and her husband, just three days after they closed on their new house. The couple, who had recently relocated to Arizona from Buffalo, N.Y., thought they had found the perfect place — until a hidden infestation revealed itself. Hailey shared her frustrations in a now-viral TikTok video. 'We were so excited, and everything was going well. The buying process was very smooth,' Hailey tells PEOPLE, recalling the anticipation and hope that came with their move and the search for a new home. The house checked every box: ideal location, beautiful fixtures and a remodel that made it feel like a fresh start. After a month-long process that included multiple walkthroughs and three different inspections — including a termite inspection, she says — the couple felt confident as they prepared to settle in. But just before closing, a call from their realtor changed everything. 'The day before closing, honestly, on our drive to closing on the house, I got a call from our realtor saying they just found out that they found termites while they were moving the staging furniture out. They demanded it was treated like that day. And so it was,' Hailey explains. According to Hailey, the sellers assured them the issue had been handled, and with all inspections coming back clean, the couple moved forward, trusting the professionals and the process. The relief was short-lived. 'By Thursday night is when I discovered them again, and then realized there were other groups right above where they were,' Hailey says. Hailey describes a confusing and stressful ordeal with the pest control company. 'The termite company that came and treated it was picked by the seller," she says. "So in order for it to be covered by them, to figure it out, we didn't really have control over the termite company to come and eliminate them." According to her, the company missed two appointments before finally addressing the problem, compounding the couple's stress. As if termites weren't enough, another disaster struck just hours after the pest control team finally arrived. 'Literally an hour after the termite people showed up … I was just taking out the trash, and I noticed there was water spilling out of the floor into like the carport area, and then the floor was getting squishy and water was spewing out of the floor,' Hailey recalls. A burst pipe forced them to shut off the water and contact the sellers again, according to Hailey. The series of problems has tested the couple's optimism. 'Honestly, I've been struggling a lot with just feeling like we made the right decision, or feeling like this is the right home for us, so I'm trying to be positive about it and make it my own,' she shares. 'But it has been a little hard to feel like I can actually live in the house, because it seems to be everything I touch is like breaking,' Hailey adds. Her husband, whose demanding job keeps him away frequently, is still 'in disbelief that the house that we thought was great and perfect and passed all the inspections is having all these issues, suddenly," she says. The experience has left a mark on Hailey's trust in the home buying process. 'I jokingly was like, I never want to buy a house ever again because of this,' she says. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Having owned a new build before, she now realizes the importance of thorough inspections and being proactive. In the future, 'maybe we'll go with multiple different inspectors and maybe ask for different things to be done,' she shares. For others navigating the home buying process, Hailey offers hard-won advice: 'Have a really good real estate agent, because our agent has been an advocate for us … if we didn't have someone that we trusted and knew what they were doing, I think we would have to be paying for this out of pocket.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie homeowners warned over property almost 'crumbling' as tradie makes alarming find
Homeowners are being warned not to overlook the devastating impact termites can inflict after a professional property flipper was forced to pay more than $200,000 to repair damage caused by the tiny insects. Tradie Michael Marshall recently bought a five-bedroom house in Mudgeeraba, Queensland and was renovating it when he stumbled upon a costly discovery. Several of the interior walls were being whittled down to nothing by termite activity and it was likely the building would have collapsed had he not noticed the issue when he did. "Some of the walls were nearly starting to fall over. You could tap the bottom of the studs and they were crumbling and there was a section of the floor that had caved in," he told Yahoo News. "There was literally termite nests inside the walls, inside the property... the whole top second floor was being held up by termite timber." It is understood the property had someone living in it only six months earlier, and Michael suspects there may have been some attempt to cover up the damage before it was sold. "It was full of mould, it was disgusting," he said, explaining he has since paid over $200,000 to have the property reframed, and all traces of the termites removed. Yahoo News has reported on several Aussies excitedly buying their dream home, only to later find termites and significant structural damage to the property. This is sadly not an uncommon issue in the country, with several pest control companies claiming one in five Aussie homes are affected by termite damage. 🏡 Sinister find above garage door prompts warning over 'active' threat 👀 Tradie's sinister find uncovers expensive $4,000 mistake in home 🥴 Concerning find behind wall of home highlights 'serious' problem Older homes are more susceptible to the issue as timber was used to frame the homes. Modern homes are now framed by treated pine frames or metal, with neither impacted by termite — however, it's something all homeowners should be wary of, Michael explained. After his own experience, he is urging Aussies to not "cut corners" when it comes to termites and recommended the following: "It's a must," Michael said. "It's something you need to do before you put your money on the line and they're not even that expensive, they're about $1,000." Michael explained getting experts to inspect a home before purchase will give buyers peace of mind, or at least ensure their eyes are wide open when making their decision. Michael believes termite activity inside a home doesn't necessarily mean a prospective buyer should stay clear of the property. However, he stressed the importance of knowing the extent of the damage and understanding how much it would cost to fix. "If you do get a building and pest report, and it does have termite damage, that necessarily doesn't mean don't buy the house. There are solutions... you can get termite barriers and treatment done to the house," he said. It's important to constantly ensure your home is being protected against termite activity and Michael urged homeowners to not get complacent with regular upkeep. "The cost of getting it redone and the cost of termites being in your house is a massive difference," he said. "Don't cut corners, because it will come back to bite you on the ass." After termite treatment has occurred, most pest control experts will place a sticker onto the property's electrical box to indicate the date of treatment and that it was done to the Australian standard. This is something prospective homebuyers can keep an eye out for, and something all Aussies should strive to have in their home. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
