Termite & Pest Control

Termites & Termite Solutions
The termites are a group of eusocial insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. Along with ants and some bees and wasps which are all placed in the separate order Hymenoptera, termites divide labour among gender lines, produce overlapping generations and take care of young collectively. Termites mostly feed on dead plant material, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung, and about 10% of the estimated 4,000 species about 2,600 taxonomically known are economically significant as pests that can cause serious structural damage to buildings, crops or plantation forests. Termites are major detritivores, particularly in the subtropical and tropical regions, and their recycling of wood and other plant matter is of considerable ecological importance.

A female that has flown, mated, and is producing eggs is called a “queen”. Similarly, a male that has flown, mated, and remains in proximity to a queen, is termed a “king”. Research using genetic techniques to determine relatedness of colony members is showing that the idea that colonies are only ever headed by a monogamous  royal pair is wrong. Multiple pairs of reproductives within a colony are not uncommon. In the families Rhinotermitidae and Termitidae, and possibly others, sperm competition does not seem to occur male genitalia are very simple and the sperm are anucleate, suggesting that only one male king generally mates within the colony.

At maturity, a primary queen has a great capacity to lay eggs. In physogastric species, the queen adds an extra set of ovaries with each molt, resulting in a greatly distended abdomen and increased fecundity, often reported to reach a production of more than two thousand eggs a day. The distended abdomen increases the queen’s body length to several times more than before mating and reduces her ability to move freely, though attendant workers provide assistance. The queen is widely believed to be a primary source of pheromones useful in colony integration, and these are thought to be spread through shared feeding trophallaxis. The king grows only slightly larger after initial mating and continues to mate with the queen for life. This is very different from ant colonies, in which a queen mates once with the males and stores the gametes for life, and the male ants die shortly after mating.

As eusocial insects, termites live in colonies that, at maturity, number from several hundred to several million individuals. Colonies use a decentralised, self-organised systems of activity guided by swarm intelligence to exploit food sources and environments that could not be available to any single insect acting alone. A typical colony contains nymphs semi-mature young, workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals of both genders, sometimes containing several egg-laying queens. Termites are sometimes called “white ants”, though they are not closely related to true ants.

The winged or ‘alate’ caste, also referred to as the reproductive caste, are generally the only termites with well-developed eyes although workers of some harvesting species do have well-developed compound eyes, and, in other species, soldiers with eyes occasionally appear. Termites on the path to becoming alates going through incomplete metamorphosis form a sub-caste in certain species of termites, functioning as workers ‘pseudergates’ and also as potential supplementary reproductives. Supplementaries have the ability to replace a dead primary reproductive and, at least in some species, several are recruited once a primary queen is lost.

Amazingly Termites Are Very Weak & Fragile:
Termites are very weak and fragile insects. They can be easily overpowered by ants and other predators when exposed. To avoid these perils termites cover their tracks with tubing made of faeces, plant matter, and soil. Thus the termites can remain hidden and wall out unfavourable environmental conditions. Sometimes these shelter tubes will extend for many metres, such as up the outside of a tree reaching from the soil to dead branches.

To a subterranean termite any breach of their tunnels or nest is a cause for alarm. When the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus and the Eastern subterranean termite Reticulitermes flavipes detect a potential breach, the soldiers will usually bang their heads apparently to attract other soldiers for defense and recruit additional workers to repair any breach.

In areas with a distinct dry season, the alates leave the nest in large swarms after the first good soaking rain of the rainy season. In other regions, flights may occur throughout the year or more commonly in the spring and autumn. Termites are relatively poor fliers and are readily blown downwind in windspeeds of less than 2 km/h, shedding their wings soon after landing at an acceptable site, where they mate and attempt to form a nest in damp timber or earth, from Wikipedia.

One Of The Most Damaging Forces:
One of the most damaging forces are TERMITES. Your home may already be infested with termites and the signs may not be visible until severe and costly damage is done. Call a licensed termite control company today for a free inspection.

Termites and Termite Prevention
Since termites are a constant threat to your home, here are some things you can do during the year to help maintain the effectiveness of The Orkin Man’s termite treatment plan.

What Can You Do to Help Protect Your Home?
Small steps make a big difference in termite prevention and sustaining an effective termite treatment plan. Start by eliminating moisture conditions and food around your home. These simple steps make your home a less attractive target, helping deter termites.

Eliminate Moisture Problems:
* Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and air conditioning units
* Divert water from foundation
* Keep gutters and down-spouts clean
* Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch
* Get rid of standing water on roof
* Keep all vents clear and open
* Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes

Remove Food Sources:
* Keep firewood, lumber, or paper away from foundation or crawl space
* Get rid of stumps and debris near house
* Place screens on outside vents
* Check decks and wooden fences for damage
* Wood on your home shouldn’t contact the soil

Termite Warning Signs & Identification some indications you may have a termite infestation:
* A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home.
* Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass termite droppings.
* Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
* Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams, or in crawl spaces.
* Discarded wings from swarmers, from Orkin.com