Termites comprise a large and diverse group of ecologically and economically important insects that feed on cellulose, primarily in wood. Worldwide there are over 2,600 species of termites and about 23 different species are found in California alone. Termites are eusocial insects that are classified at the taxonomic rank of infraorder Isoptera. Termites were once classified in a separate order from cockroaches, but recent studies indicate that they evolved from close ancestors of cockroaches during the Jurassic or Triassic.
Termites can be grouped into three basic categories:
Dampwood: Dampwood termites are normally larger in size than other termite species. Like dry wood termites, dampwood colonies don’t have workers. Younger termites called “false workers” do all the work for the colony.
Drywood: Drywood termites obtain water from the wood in which they live and have no contact with the soil, or with any other source of moisture. Drywood termites form colonies of up to 2,500 members.
Subterranean: Subterranean termite colonies can have up to 2 million members! Their colonies are divided into three groups: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Subterranean termites are generally ground-dwelling or require contact with the soil or some constant source of moisture and are the main threat posed to timber in the built environment.
Formosan: Formosan termite colonies can be up to 300 feet long and there can be tens of thousands of termites in a single colony. Formosan termite colonies are divided into three groups: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. They are the largest and most destructive kind of termite.
Termites are among the most successful groups of insects on Earth, colonizing most landmasses except for Antarctica. Their colonies range in size from a few hundred individuals to enormous societies with several million individuals. Like ants and some bees, termites divide labor among castes consisting of sterile male and female “workers” and “soldiers”. Worker termites are wingless, soft-bodied, and light caramel in color. They comprise the largest contingent in most colonies and are the individuals most frequently seen when infested wood is examined. Workers are reproductively undeveloped. They are responsible for the care of eggs and immature; foraging for food; feeding and hygiene of nestmates, including the queen; and construction and maintenance of shelter tubes, galleries, and/or other colonial structures. Workers can also be involved in the protection of the colony but are not as fierce as the soldiers.
Soldiers can vary greatly in morphology but, generally, have larger, amber or brownish heads and larger mandibles than workers. They guard the colony and defend it against predators.
All colonies have fertile males called “kings” and one or more fertile female called “queens”. Termite queens have the longest lifespan of any insect in the world, with some queens reportedly living up to 30 to 50 years. Colonies are described as superorganisms because the termites form part of a self-regulating entity: the colony itself.
Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they secretly hide and thrive in houses or yards without any immediate signs of damage. All termites consume cellulose-based plant materials. Unfortunately, all homes, regardless of their construction type, can provide cellulose food for termite infestation.
Termites are detritivores or detritus feeders. They feed on dead plants and trees. Termites get nutrients from cellulose, an organic fiber found in wood and plant matter. Wood makes up the majority of the pest’s diet, although termites also eat other materials such as paper, plastic, and drywall. Most species prefer dead wood, but some termites feed on living trees. Each type of termite has its own dietary preferences. Subterranean termites prefer softwoods but may invade most species of wood. Dampwood termites generally stay close to the ground but will choose moist, decaying wood anywhere it is found. Drywood termites are often found in attics and require little moisture in the wood they eat.
A termite’s mouth is capable of tearing pieces of woody material. This ability is what causes concern in human dwellings. While termite workers only measure approximately 1 cm to a few millimeters in length, their feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property. House foundations, furniture, shelves and even books are all possible feeding sites for termites. Termites can single-handedly ruin and destroy a house’s very foundation and character in just a few short years.
The following list indicates common signs of a subterranean termite infestation.
- The presence of mud-like material that lines the galleries in an irregular pattern. Termites may excavate the wood so that only a very thin layer of wood is left on the surface of the cavity and the outside. Then this layer is broken; termites will further cover the holes with mud like material, used to make the tubes. This is a mixture of soil, feces, and saliva.
- Swarmers: The appearance of a swarm also known as “flying ants”, especially near light sources is a common indication of infestation. This also indicates a nest may be near. A “swarm” is a group of adult male and female reproductives that leave their nest to establish a new colony. Swarming occurs when a colony reaches a certain size.
- Mud Tunnels: Subterranean termites maintain their headquarters in the ground and build “mud tubes”, that connects the nest (moisture) to the food source (wood).The tunnels may contain broken mud particles with fecal materials. Mud tubes or shelter tubes are proof of termite infestation, but their absence does not necessarily mean that a structure is free of termites. The insects may reach sills and other wood members through cracks or voids in the foundation wall, under the outside stucco, or from earth-filled porches, steps, terraces, or patios.
- Piles of wings: The shed wings of swarmers indicate termites have entered their next phase of development.
- Damaged wood: Wood may appear crushed at structural bearing points. Termite damaged wood resonates with a dull thud (hollow sound) when tapped with a hammer.
Some interesting facts about termites
- Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage.
- The total weight of all of the termites in the world is more than the weight of all the humans in the world.
- Termite colonies eat non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
Now let us also look at the significant role that termites play in our ecosystem. They recycle nutrients, in particular, nitrogen which is essential for healthy plant growth. When termite mounds erode, the soil particles rich in nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are washed into the soil from the mounds to become available for plant growth. Their excavations alter the structure of trees and provide spaces which have become a necessary part of the habitat of many vertebrate species including bats, birds, reptiles and arboreal mammals. Therefore the use of toxic pesticides and insecticides is not an ideal solution to prevent and control this damage caused by termites.
C Tech Corporation can offer a solution to overcome the damage caused by termites. Termirepel™ – an anti-termite additive is an ideal solution for the prevention and control of termites. The product does not kill the target species causing damage but only repels it. It follows 6 prolonged strategy which is extremely effective on termites as well as insects like ants, beetles, grasshopper, bugs etc.
Termirepel™ is non-toxic and nonhazardous anti termite and anti-insect polymer additive. It is thermally stable and does not degrade on exposure to heat and sunlight. It does not volatilize and does not degrade in the soil. It is RoHS, RoHS2, REACH, APVMA, NEA compliant and FIFRA exempted.