COPTOTERMES FRENCHI

A very damaging breed of termite, the frenchi love to attack home frames made of softwoods such as pine or oregon, and will often be attracted to the damp areas found around a property. The soldiers of this species are smaller (4 to 5.2 mm) than those of Coptotermes acinaciformis, and they are a central-site nester, usually found in the root crowns and lower trunks of living trees. Unlike Coptotermes acinaciformis, Coptotermes frenchi are very reclusive and will temporarily retreat when disturbed only to secretly later return. They form large colonies and attack living trees. Common throughout the state of Victoria – particularly in our urban areas, this species devours timber framing, leaving behind only a thin surface veneer to disguise the damage.