Termites are extremely successful insects. They occur throughout all the temperate regions of the world. There have been over 2000 species of termites identified worldwide. There are several species that occur in the United States.Of the three main types of termites, subterranean termites are the most wide-spread. They also account for the vast majority of damage done by termites throughout the United States. Subterranean termites are of concern to homeowners in 49 of the 50 states. Alaska is the only state that does not have any native termite species.A subterranean termite colony begins with winged fertile reproductives (alates) that are released from a mature colony in the area. These winged insects (we call them "swarmers") are poor flyers. They flutter around in the warm sunshine, usually right after a spring rain. Very few of these insects will survive the swarming flight.To succeed in establishing a new colony these swarmers must locate a mate, find a suitable food source, and burrow into the soil near the food source. All of this must happen before they dry out and die or are eaten by birds, ants or other predators.A subterranean termite colony is a fairly permanent thing. A subterranean termite queen may live as long as 30 years. As she matures her abdomen distends making it impossible for her leave her royal chamber. She is fed and groomed by attendant workers.Workers are by far the most numerous members of the colony. In addition to caring for the queen, the workers also care for the young, feed the soldiers and developing reproductives, and build and maintain the nest galleries and foraging tunnels. The workers range far from the nest foraging for food.Termite workers eat dead wood or other things containing cellulose. Protozoans (tiny, one celled organisms) in the termite's gut digest the ground up wood and convert it to the nutrients that the termite needs. The workers carry this digested food back to the nest and then regurgitate it to feed the nymphs, soldiers, and reproductives. This process, called tropholaxis, is very common among insects.Soldiers protect the colony from invading ants. They do not eat wood. they are completely dependent on workers to feed them. They aren't particularly effective at fighting off the ants. Instead, they block the entry to the galleries with their large heads and strong jaws (mandibles). The ants will usually succeed in taking several soldiers, while the termite colony itself remains relatively unharmed.In addition to the primary queen, termite colonies often develop additional reproductive members. These are called supplemental queens. In addition to providing more eggs for the colony, if the primary queen dies, one of these supplemental reproductives will assume the role of primary queen.Once a termite colony is four or five years old, some winged reproductives will develop. These are released in the spring. And from that time on, the colony produces more and more swarmers each year.And the cycle continues . . .Contact us for all your Fresno Pest Control needs.Fresno Web Design
What's in a name? For one thing, you can tell by the name where a termite's nest will be found. A Drywood Termite colony will be found in dry wood. A Subterranean Termite colony will be underground.Drywood termites are much less sensitive to dehydration than Subterranean Termites. This adaptation lets them live above ground, inside of dry wood. In fact, the wood framing of almost any building has enough moisture to keep them going.These insects are designed to make the most of their role in the world. Aside from having a thicker shell (to handle the dry environment), their social system and caste system is adapted to this role as well.Like most termites, a Drywood Termite colony begins with a pair of mated swarmers (alates). We usually look for Drywood swarms during the late summer and into autumn. However you might see them at virtually any time of year. The evidence most people find after swarming is a collection of loose wings on a window sill. (See photo at right.) At this point the insects have shed their wings and already burrowed into the woodwork.After swarming from their parent's colony the new royal pair needs to find a place to build their nest. A crack or crevice will serve them nicely. In buildings they often start around wood windows or doorways or they may be found in the eaves or in the substructure area under the house. Houses with wood siding tend to be especially vulnerable because there are so many cracks and crevices where a new colony might establish. In nature, we find them in the "dead arm" of a tree, in a woodpile, or in any other dead wood. Once established, the new colony will grow slowly, but steadily. After a few years the colony may have eaten their way well into the framing around their initial entry point. A mature colony may grow to several thousand members. Given time, their galleries may extend into wall framing in all directions, into substructure timbers and floors and into the ceiling overhead. The only evidence of their activity inside the wall or floor might be a pile of "seed-like" pellets that continue to appear even after cleaning them up. These pellets are the fecal material of the termites and it is a positive sign that Drywood termites have been at work.After just three to five years, a few swarmers will usually be released, and the cycle continues...Contact us for all your Fresno Pest Control needs.Fresno Web Design
Andrew Savala has sinced written about articles on various topics from Environment, Get Rid of Bed Bugs and Do It Yourself Pest Control. Doug has worked in the pest control industry since 1973. He received his first license for pest control while stationed in Massachusetts with the U.S. Army. He currently holds California Operator’s licenses in General Pest Control and Wood Destroying Orga. Andrew Savala's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.