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WHAT ARE TERMITES ?

Termites or “White ants” as they are commonly known are social insects. Subterranean termites live underground in a colony comprising of queen, king, workers and soldiers. There could be millions below the ground, inside walls, furniture etc. Termites are the biggest threat to assets which man cherishes to own. Studies in the us have proved that termites cuase more damage than fires, Floods and Cyclones every year. Termites are silent destroyers and their treatment is necessary. By the time they surface, 80% of the damage would have been done. They feed on anything containing cellulose ranging from wooden furniture to books.

SIZE

Worker : 1/8- to 3/8-inch in length. Body is similar as the worker, but large, deck head with powerful mandidles. Primary & Supplementary Repoductive : About one inch in length.

TIPS FOR TERMITE CONTROL

Step 1 Make sure at least four inches of the foundation can be seen all around the home. Siding should not extend into the soil. Mulch and soil should not touch the siding. Step 2 Seal any hole or crack larger than 1/4 of an inch . Large holes or cracks should be stuffed with steel wool or wire mesh before sealing with caulk or foam, otherwise rodents could chew though to enter. Step 3 Make sure water drains away from the foundation to ensure water does not accumulation. Step 4 Roof or plumbing leaks can allow termites to survive above ground in a house.These should be corrected as soon as possible for termite treatment.

BEHAVIOR

This termite is known to swarm in spring, but small flights can occur at any time of the year. Swarming is the visible means that termites use to establish different tasks required. One caste produced is the workers. Another caste is the soldiers. And a third caste is the reproductives. Primary reproductives swarm and start new colonies. They are called alates or swarmers. Although thousands of primary reproductives may be produced each year, they all leave the nest. Supplementary reproductives, on the other hand, can become reproductive only in the colonies in which they were born. They assit the primary king and queen in population growth of the colony.

HABITAT

Subterranean termites live in colonies in the ground, building vertical tunnels that look like mud tube above ground level so that they can search for food. Because subterranean termites will die if exposed to air for an extended period of this, the tunnels provide protection from the open air, allowing worker to carry food to the nest. Subterranean termites can form tunnels through cracks in concrete, so slab homes are not exempt from these termites. They need to stay in contact with the soil in order to survive, unlike drywood termites that only need low moisture.