What Does A Termite Nest Look Like
And How To Identify Signs Of Termite Activity In Your Home
What does a termite nest look like? Termite nests come in different shapes and sizes. Some are easy to identify because they exist in the trees around your home. Others are subterranean, and hence they’re going to be harder to find. The Australian Museum outlines five main types of termite nests:
- Ground mounds
- Tree nests (outside the tree, connected to an internal cavity)
- Pole nests (on human structures, such as fence posts and telephone poles)
- Subterranean nests (underground, in soil, stumps and tree bases)
- Tree wood nests (inside the tree)
The most common termite nest here in South East Queensland are those of the Subterranean termite. As the name would suggest they build their nest underground, in the soil where the moist warm conditions are ideal to their survival. These are also the trickiest to identify.
So what does a termite nest look like? Here are some examples of the type of termite nest you might see.



Termite Activity
You might not always spot a nest around your property but here on the Gold Coast there is a very high chance there are termites active nearby. Termites can travel and live underground, moving hundreds of metres to and from the termite nest.
Richard’s experience shows that there is almost always some termite activity in every home on the Gold Coast. We recommend you get a professional inspection done. Even professional inspectors can miss signs of termites. (See Signs Of Termites Other Inspectors Missed.) These so-called professionals have more experience than the average person, so you should trust your own ability to spot termites. Also, an experienced termite inspector like Richard will show you have to reduce your risk around your home.
With that said, you’ve come here looking for things you can see around your home that might indicate termite activity. So here goes…
Signs of termite activity
Termites cause billions in damage every year. With most termite nests hidden underground while the termites go about their business inside the walls of the home, by the time the termites have been discovered it is often too late for the homeowner. It can be a very expensive fix and very few, if any, insurance companies cover termite damage. (Really, we can’t stress enough, don’t rely on your own ability to spot termites. Get an inspection.)
Here are some signs you may come across that are a good indication of termite activity:
Some More Termite Nest
Time to call a pest inspector
Even if you cannot see any of this evidence of termites there is still a good chance there are some around your Gold Coast property and by the time the damage is noticed, significant structural damage may already be done. It is best to get in first with regular termite inspections from a qualified pest inspector. Give us a call today to arrange a comprehensive termite inspection.