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Urban Myth Busted: Leave Termites in the Garden and They’ll Leave Your House Alone?

There is no such thing as a silly question, we strive to help.



Urban Myth Busted: Leave Termites in the Garden and They’ll Leave Your House Alone?

The Conquer Termites Team May 14, 2025
Urban Myth Busted: Leave Termites in the Garden and They’ll Leave Your House Alone?

At Conquer Termites, we often hear homeowners say, “If I leave the termites alone in my garden, they won’t bother my house.” Unfortunately, this belief is not only false—it’s potentially costly.

A recent job in East Brisbane proves just how wrong this myth can be. When we inspected the property, we found extensive termite damage at the front of the house. Termites had entered through the subfloor, silently causing damage behind the walls. At the same time, we discovered live termites in a tree stump in the backyard—just metres from the home.

The termites were treated immediately on the day of inspection using Termidor Foam, applied to all active areas.

The Truth About Garden Termites

Leaving termites alone in your garden won’t protect your house. In fact, the more food sources they have in your yard, the stronger the colony becomes.

We often find:

  • Tree stumps, loose timber, old sleepers, trees, and retaining walls all serving as prime feeding sites.
  • Multiple active colonies in a single yard, sometimes even with different species of termites working in the same area.
  • Termites using garden timbers as a launching pad straight into nearby homes.

Why This Myth is So Dangerous

  • Proximity = risk – If termites are in your yard, they’re close enough to attack your home.
  • Subfloor access is common – Moist, hidden entry points make timber subfloors a prime target.
  • Garden food makes them stronger – More available timber allows colonies to grow larger and faster.

Leaving them undisturbed gives them time to expand and resources to thrive, which can lead to serious internal damage before you even realise they’ve moved in.

Real Example from East Brisbane (Watch the Video)

In the video below, you’ll see just how quickly things can escalate. Despite appearing limited to a backyard stump, termites had already caused serious structural damage to the house.

📍 Location: East Brisbane
🪵 Findings: Live termites in tree stump + active infestation through the subfloor
🧪 Treatment: Termidor Foam on the day of inspection


Don’t Let a Garden Nest Become a Home Invasion

If you suspect termite activity—even if it seems limited to the backyard—act now. Your home is at risk, and early detection could save you thousands in repair costs.

Contact Conquer Termites today on 1300 417 007 to book an expert inspection across Brisbane and Gold Coast. We’ll help you identify problem areas, assess risk, and treat active termites before they do more damage.

For more information:

https://www.conquertermites.com.au/termite-control/termites-outside/loose-timbers/

https://www.conquertermites.com.au/termite-control/termites-outside/



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