All About Termites – Know Thy Enemy

When you hear the word termites, you think about pests. Termites for you, are a nuisance.  Nothing for you describes them better.  You find that all about termites disgust you.

But what else do you actually know about termites – aside from knowing that you hate them?  Anything and all about termites, you just don’t like.

Let us go over some things you may need to know all about termites. It wouldn’t hurt to know more about them - the information you get will make you understand better the nature and workings of termites.

General Information - All About Termites

Food – Termites feed on materials rich in cellulose – and their favorite food is none other than wood or any wood products and derivatives.  This explains the damage on your house structure made of wood.

Breeding – Generally led by a king and queen.  In their social system, both of these are their primary reproductives – with the main responsibility of reproducing and propagating their species.  They have back-ups called the secondary reproductive, which takes the front role in case the primary reproductives die.

Propagation – The start of new colonies are the result of the winged reproductives or the alates – also known as the swarmers.  The pair will find an ideal location for laying eggs.  The queen has a lifespan of around 25 years, and lays eggs around 50,000 yearly.

Physical Characteristics – As compared to ants, termites have a straight antennae, uniform waist size and wings of equal size.  Termite reproductives are dark brown in color and have two equally sized & formed wings.  Termite workers are blind, creamy white in color and have no wings.  Termite soldiers have oversized heads and don’t have wings.  Soldiers are equipped with large mandibles since they use these in protecting their colony. 

Behavior – Termites are eusocial – meaning they have a highly social form of organization.  Their class system includes: a.) reproductives (primary & secondary), b.) soldiers and c.) workers.  Each has a role and a task to do for the survival of the colony.

Ecosystem Role – Termites help convert dead branches & wood into organic matter.  They also make the soil fertile, especially those near their mounds. 

Termite Mounds – A structure made by termites with seemingly functional chimneys and ventilation systems.  Parts of this structure would serve as their storage area for food. 

Preferred Climate – Termites like to live on a place or area with a humid climate – one in which there is sufficient amount of moisture.  The soil, is in fact, an ideal place for the subterranean species, precisely because it offers just the right ventilation for air to pass through, at the same time, it holds a certain amount of moisture, which keeps them cool during warm seasons.

Termites and You

The details mentioned above are just some brief information all about termites.  These will give you some idea about the pests that invade your home without regard to the damage they bring about it. 

With these, you will be able to learn more all about termites & their living patterns – giving you a chance to be able to appreciate them for whatever they are worth, at the same time giving you the opportunity to hate them  just a little bit more.