Termites are a small insect that can be found all over the world. They play an important role in the environment as they eat wood and other plant material.
Termites emerge from a ceramored (glue-like) cocoon as an adult. As an adult, you can see them as flat, silvery-white earthenoids. These termites look much different from the winged adults that leave their colony.
Adult termites look very similar to human noses! They are long and thin, with slightly convex sides. These adults have two nostrils, one on top of the other. These meet in the middle of the earthenoid’s head, creating a sharp point.
Adult termites do not survive for very long outside of a colony. They need to constantly seek new territory to live in, and they need their original home area to provide resources.
Contents:
Size
Termites are not known to be too big or too small. They can even look a little like ants or roaches at a distance, depending on how large they look.
Termites are most likely sized by their queen and some workers. These workers determine if food is present and what kind of food it is, such as plant or animal.
When the queen dies, the system stops working until a new one arrives. The new queen takes over the job of creating a new society of worker termites. These worker termites remain small until this process starts up again, at which point they grow in size to become queens and workers.
This growth is called pareuction or hardening off, which happens every few years on average. It can last months, depending on the termite.
Shape
Termites are known for their long, slender body shape. These insects have six legs, two pairs of wings, and a long antennae!
Termites look similar to regular bugs, but they are not like other termites. These insects can be found in trees as they feed on the roots.
They look like tiny black beetle-like creatures with long legs and short wings. Because of this, they are often mistaken for tree branches or twigs.
They move very quickly and can find small food sources that are hidden even within the material. When it finds something tasty, it attacks the material to gain entrance.
Distinction
Termites are not a visible species, like ants or spiders. They are distinguished from other insects by their 4-legged stance, and their complex language.
As their name suggests, termites spend most of their time in a termite house. These structures look like large mounds that the termite uses to store food and shelter.
To the human eye, a termite looks much the same as an ant or spider. It has four legs, a long body, and a hard shell. However, it is possible to distinguish between different kinds of ants and spiders by how they treat their colonies.
A major difference is whether they are hierarchical or not.
Migration
Termites migrate, or move their positions, throughout the year. Some move frequently while others stay in the same location for long periods of time.
The majority of termites that belong to the same colony move around at night to find a new food source. These migrating termites are known as frequenters.
The others stay in their home during the day to protect their Colony and its resources. These remainingtermites are known as non-migrants.
Migration is an important process for termites, as it allows them to move resources between their home and new colony.
Habitat
Termites are most likely spotted in locations that resemble earth, with trees, grass, and other vegetation. They prefer to reside in close proximity to structure or natural resources.
Their homes are typically located near water sources, as well as areas with bark coverage. These termites construct unique tree–like structures called king sites. These structures can span up to a half an inch in thickness!
These king sites can last for years before being replaced by new ones. Once a termite dies, it constructs a burial site where it can continue to reign over its colony until another structure comes by and claims it.
That is not the only way these insects claim their territory! When one dies, the others associate it with the same location so they go there too. It is important to note that these insects do not fight but rather combine forces to expand their kingdom and create new sites.
What damage can they cause?
Termites are most visible when they eat through a wooden structure. When they do this, it can cause many floor irregularities.
Termites eat wood, and like most insects, they like to feast on fresh wood. This helps preserve the insect’s habitat and continuity of food.
By consuming rotting material such as trees or logs, termites help store water until growth occurs. When this occurs, the termite queen guards the new land development from outside invaders.
If you are worried about termites, you can find them by looking for long lines of uncovered water where they would live. These signs would be found near their nest area or inside their dry tunnel.
Extermination
Termites are a large subject of fascination for people. There are so many different types, histories to them, ways to treat them, and stories about them.
Many people believe that termites are huge insects, but they are actually small creatures that feed on plants. While they don’t harm human homes, their presence in your home is annoying as they can create large structures such as guard houses or tunnels to move around in.
If you notice any large holes or spaces where termites should be, these may be signs of a termite attack. This usually happens when theTerma termitis is is dies out and new ones take its place. An extermination company can thhet terrorise the termites into killing off those new pests.
Prevention
Termites are very hard to see because they feed in the night time. They come out at night to find food!
To see a termite, you must look close. Only trained professionals can detect these tiny insects. Most termites are around five inches long and camouflage well.
To prevent a facility from termicide spraying, make sure to check your belongings at least once a week for signs of pest infestation. This may be done by leaving a few items open or exposed to the weather for a day or two. Or by carefully packing up your belongings and sending them away!
If you notice any changes in your home that do not seem normal, or if you have any unusual symptoms such as severe stomach upset or mobility issues, call an experienced home care provider immediately. They will determine if there is an issue and what treatment options are available.