When deciding on a termite control treatment method, it is always important to consider all the options. Today, more than ever, people are increasingly concerned with the use of chemicals for both personal health and environmental reasons. This has led some homeowners to explore the “famous” orange oil termite treatment method. So, what exactly is it, how is it carried out, and does it even work?
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Monthly Archives September 2010
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are termites whose mode of nesting is within soil. Termites have several modes of nesting, and soil nesting is the most common mode of nesting for many species. The other modes of nesting are arboreal nesting, mound nesting, and wood nesting. Soil nesting has many advantages for termites, and some species (typically from the Rhinotermitidae family) can be very adaptable in cohabiting with humans in human modified environments, like in urban and semi urban areas. This adaptability also puts them in conflict with humans.
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The typical termite life cycle
Termites are one of the longest living insects in the world, but this only applies to the termite queen, which in some species, may live for a decade or even more. The typical termite life cycle (for workers and soldiers) is about 1-5 years, but this depends a lot on the species and the environment it is in. Termites are one of the insects that undergo incomplete metamorphosis, which is a major difference from the other eusocial insects, namely ants, bees, and wasps, which undergo complete metamorphosis.
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Termite eggs
There are many people who wonder what do termite eggs look like (unlike ants, termites eggs are rarely seen), but generally they all look like tiny translucent white or yellow jelly beans, regardless of species. The first batch laid by the female termite after the royal pair has mated and dug themselves in, is usually a yellowish color. But subsequent batches are white later on although there are also eggs with a slight sherry or yellow color.
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