 |
|
|
 |
Termites are
insects that feed on wood and serve an important function in
nature by converting dead trees into organic matter.
Unfortunately, the wood in buildings is equally appetizing to
termites and they cause serious damage to residential and
commercial buildings.
Biology
Subterranean termites are
ground-inhabiting, social insects that live in colonies. A
colony or nest of subterranean termites may be up to
18-20 feet
below the soil surface to
protect it from extreme weather conditions. These termites
travel through mud tubes to reach food sources above the soil
surface.
The mature
termite colony has three castes:
The colony reaches its maximum
size in approximately 4 to 5 years and may include 60,000 to
200,000 workers. New colonies are formed when winged males and
females from a parent colony emerge in flight or
swarm.
The winged
reproductives are dark brown to brownish black and have
two pairs of equal size wings that extend well beyond the body.
Swarms are common in spring and fall, especially after a rain.
After a flight, the winged males and females return to the
ground and shed their wings. The wingless males and female’s
pair off and search for sources of wood and moisture in soil.
The royal couple digs a chamber in
the soil near wood, enters the chamber and seals the opening.
After mating, the queen starts laying eggs.
The queen may live
up to 25 years and lay more than 60,000 eggs in her lifetime.
The eggs are yellowish white and hatch after an incubation of 50
to 60 days.
Full-grown workers are
soft-bodied, wingless, blind and creamy white.
In early stages, they are fed predigested food by the king and
queen.
Once workers are
able to digest wood, they provide food for the entire colony.
The workers perform all the labor in the colony such as
obtaining food, feeding other caste members and
immatures, excavating wood, and
constructing tunnels. Workers mature within a year and live from
three to five years.
Soldiers are creamy white,
soft-bodied, wingless and blind. The head of the soldier is
enormously elongated, brownish, hard and equipped with two jaws.
Soldiers must be fed by workers because they cannot feed
themselves. They are less numerous in the colony than workers
and their only function is to
defend the colony against invaders.
Soldiers mature within a year and live up to five years.
Difference Between Termites and Ants
Flying ants and
swarming termites are often difficult to tell apart. Termites
have relatively straight, beadlike antennae while ants have
elbowed antennae. Termites have two pair of wings (front and
back) that are of almost equal length. Ants also have two pair
of wings but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings.
The abdomen of the termite is broadly joined to the thorax while
the abdomen and thorax of the ant are joined by a narrow waist
called a petiole.
Feeding Habits
Subterranean
termites feed exclusively on wood and wood products containing
cellulose. Termites have protozoa (microorganisms) in their
intestines that provide enzymes to digest cellulose. Although
termites are soft-bodied insects, their hard, saw-toothed jaws
work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small
fragments of wood, a piece at a time.
Termites often infest buildings
and damage lumber, wood panels, flooring, sheetrock, wallpaper,
plastics, paper products and fabric made of plant fibers.
The most
serious damage is the loss of structural strength.
Other costly losses include attacks on
flooring, carpeting, art work, books, clothing, furniture and
valuable papers.
Subterranean
termites do not attack live trees.
Communication in the Colony
Termites
communicate primarily by secreting chemicals called pheromones.
Each colony develops its own characteristic odor. An intruder is
instantly recognized and an alarm pheromone is secreted that
triggers the soldiers to attack.
If a worker finds a new source of
food, it lays a
chemical trail
for others to follow. The proportion of termites in each caste
within the colony is also regulated chemically. Nymphs or
immatures can develop into workers,
soldiers or reproductive adults depending on colony needs.
Sound is another means of
communication.
Soldiers and workers may bang their heads against the tunnels
creating vibrations perceived by others in the colony and
serving to mobilize the colony to defend
itself.
Mutual exchange
of foods enhances recognition of colony members.
Evidence of Termite Infestations ·
Wood damaged by termites always
has remains of mud tubes attached to wood galleries or tunnels
in an irregular pattern.
The tunnels may contain broken mud particles with fecal
materials. In the case of
an active colony, white termites may be found in infested wood.
·
The presence of flying winged
males, females or their shed wings inside the building indicates
an infestation.
·
The presence of mud or shelter
tubes extending from the ground to woodwork or on foundation
walls also may indicate infestation.
Workers travel periodically via shelter tubes to their nest to
regain moisture and perform feeding duties. Each mud tube is
approximately the diameter of a lead pencil.
How Old is the Damage?
Based on normal feeding activity,
it takes
three to eight years to cause
appreciable damage. There
have been some predictions that, under ideal conditions,
a termite colony of 60,000 workers
may consume a one-foot length of 2" x 4" pine in 118 to 157
days.
Inspection for Subterranean Termites
A qualified Bug Away Specialist,
Inc. professional inspector should inspect the
exterior and interior surfaces of
the foundation,
particularly construction where wood is on or near the soil. Mud
tubes are solid evidence of termite activity.
Useful
Information
If Termite Treatment is Necessary
Do not panic.
There is no need to be alarmed if termite activity is found in
your home and treatment is necessary. Termites work slowly and
the structure will not be extensively damaged or collapse
overnight.
Take your time
to make a sound decision.
Do not allow anyone to force you to
make quick decisions.
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
