Liquid termiticides are commonly applied as a form of barrier treatment, in order to control infestations of subterranean termites in and around homes. These types of barriers work by keeping termites away from a structure as well as killing those that penetrate the treated area. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of liquid termiticides?
Read More
Archives for termites
Termite droppings
If you have an infestation of drywood termites in your home, usually the only evidence of their presence are the termite droppings that appear around woodwork, but there’s a whole lot of more to it. With termites, their droppings are either liquid or solid, and this depends on the type/species of termite in question. Also, did you know that termites are the only insects that make full use of their droppings in as many ways as possible, literally?
Read More
Home termite inspections
Termite inspections are often required in order to secure funding to purchase a home (especially older ones). But they are always a good idea whether it’s required or not. The risk of termite damage to wooden structures is higher for older houses; that is why older premises are more in need of inspections. Here’s what you may want to know concerning the process of most home termite inspections that are carried out by pest control companies.
Read More
Termite pictures – Amitermes dentatus
Amitermes is an interesting genus of termite, with many species distributed worldwide. The most well known are the mound building species from Australia, Amitermes meridionalis, the so-called Magnetic Termites. Amitermes species occur worldwide, and build a variety of nests ranging from subterranean to surface mounds, to aerial nests.
Read More
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.
Read More
Microcerotermes
Microcerotermes is a genus of termite that often builds distinctive arboreal nests made of carton material, although there are subterranean and mound building species as well. Their nests can be a common sight in coconut plantations, and seen attached to tree trunks in rural areas. There are about 22 species with a worldwide distribution.
Read More
Interesting termite nest pictures
There is a vast array of termite nests, although you will only see most of these in tropical regions. Termite mounds are in themselves great engineering feats (which may give ideas to us humans in constructing self containing cities). Many species that build such interesting nests normally live in forested areas and often cannot survive near man, as they have specialized nesting/feeding habits and diet, so it not likely you will be seeing many of them if you do not venture into the wilds.
Read More
Asian army ants – Dorylus laevigatus
The army ants of the Old World, are mostly made up of members of the genus Dorylus; some of the most fascinating ants in the world. Their famous swarms have given them nicknames like “driver ants” or “safari ants.” Dorylus species range in color from rust to black, and are found from Africa extending eastwards into South East Asia.
Read More
Flying termites – The nuptial flight
Flying termites or termite swarmers/alates swarm during the right climatic conditions, such as after a rainy spell following a dry season. But they don’t just appear, the termite colony has to produce this special caste, which it does from time to time (some more frequent than others). During certain periods, some nymphs will develop into reproductive males and females with wings; once they develop and mature, these alates will then fly from the nest at the right time.
Read More
Termite control using termite bait stations
Termite control is quite easy to carry out, depending on the system you use, and how early you detect the termites. The most effective termite control methods involve detecting termites early on, and then baiting them to eat poison laced feed. Its principles are simple, but highly effective in preventing termites from getting into a building in the first place.
Read More