Termites are commonly referred to as "white ants" due to their comparable appearance to ants and pale hue. But there are a few techniques to distinguish ants from termites. Ants have a small waist that divides their bodies, just like wasps and bees do, but termites do not. Termite antennae are straight, but ant antennae are segmented or "elbowed." Although both termites and ants have winged reproductive forms, termites' hind wings are the same size while ants' forewings are larger.
A king, a queen, and some neotenic reproductive are among the reproductives found in each subterranean termite colony, together with larvae, nymphs, workers, and soldiers. Compared to the queen, the neotenic reproductives lay fewer eggs because they are not alates. Workers make up the bulk of colony members. They search for food, provide food for the colony's other members, and tend to the nest and foraging tunnels. Soldiers have long mandibles and rectangular, brownish skulls. Usually, they make about 1% to 2% of the group.
Nymphs mature into neotenic reproductives, also known as alates. Neotenic reproductives might number in the hundreds or thousands within a colony. The development and spread of colonies are significantly aided by the neotenic reproductives. Therefore, the colony won't perish if the queen is killed. Between 60,000 and a million people make up a mature colony.
Naturally occurring in urban and woodland settings where cellulose materials (such as dead trees, mulch, and stumps) are present are subterranean termites. Wood is a common material found in most Australian homes. Termites will enter the wood when it becomes wet or comes into touch with the soil. Workers search for food all the time. They only eat cellulose products, including paper and wood. A colony of 60,000 termites would, in perfect circumstances, eat roughly 5 grams, or 1/5 ounce, of wood every day. A termite colony underground may extend 260 feet in a straight line.
Termites can establish a new colony underground in one of two ways:A male and a female alate known as swarmers team up, shed their wings, and construct a nest, emerging from an established colony.
Only a few times a year do the mature colonies produce swarming adults. Thousands or even hundreds of swarmers depart the nest on warm, sunny days in April and May. Most homeowners discover termites in their homes for the first time at this point. The swarmers take off, but after a short while, they drop their wings and pair up. They then seek out a protected, damp area where they might construct a nest. The colony takes several years to reach maturity and begin to produce swarmers. A portion of the colony may split off and start a new colony as it expands. Reproductive neonates lead these budded colonies.
The most damaging insects to houses are termites. Termite management alone costs more than billions of dollars annually in Australia. Until there is noticeable structural damage, most people are unaware of termites. For this reason, it is critical to comprehend termite biology, prevention, and control.
How To Know Your Termite Before You Plan Your Treatment for Termite Control?
Before deciding on your preferred termite control treatment plan, it's critical to understand the many kinds of termites that might cause damage to your house. Termites can damage wooden furniture of two types: subterranean and drywood. Termites that dwell underground can inhabit both wood and dirt. When it comes to creating their colonies, these organisms favour damp environments.
Termites that live underground usually cause damage to timber foundations. In contrast to their underground counterparts, drywood termites do not require wet circumstances to survive. Their infestation and habitation in dry wood, such as walls, siding, eaves, etc., make home termite control a challenging task. Learn more about preventing pest infestations. Visit All Pest today!
Drywood termites have the potential to be far more destructive than subterranean termites for your house. This is because they reside inside the home with dry furniture. For this reason, we shall concentrate on termite control treatments for drywood.
How To Determine the Infestation for Home Anti-Termite Treatment?
- Keep an eye out for gaps in the woodwork. Apply pressure or apply a pointed object to tap on it. If it collapses easily, termites have definitely eaten into the wooden furniture.
- Look for termite droppings that resemble wood, sawdust, or wings in any places where the furniture has chips or fractures.
- Subterranean termites are indicated by the presence of mud-tube formations on the house's walls.
5 Ways to Remove Termites from Wood
1. Sunlight Exposure Aids in the Treatment of Wood Termites
Putting termites in the sun is one of the greatest natural ways to get rid of them. Termites dislike sunshine because they prefer damp, dark environments. For termite control, leave your wooden furniture in direct sunlight for two to three days at a time. Because they can't withstand the heat, termites perish quickly. In addition to permanently eliminating termites, this procedure aids in drying out the furniture. It also works really well as a chemical-free termite treatment at home.
2. Create a Cardboard Trap at Home to Treat Termites on Your Own
Are you looking for a simple, at-home DIY termite treatment? Using cardboard and other natural materials, termites can be eliminated. Termites are attracted to the woody smell of cardboard, which is composed primarily of cellulose.
Place it close to the problem area to control termites, and moisten it with water to intensify the stench. The termites are drawn to the exposed cardboard box in a matter of hours. If you find termites in wooden furniture, throw it away or burn it.
3. Apply Boric Acid Spray to Remove Termites Indefinitely
To get rid of termites at home, mix borax powder with water and spray the damaged areas. After a few treatments, termites in cabinets and other wooden furniture will disappear thanks to this non-toxic procedure. For improved termite treatment outcomes, you can also use this technique together with the cardboard trap.
4. Termite Oil Treatment
Oils of orange and neem are excellent at treating wood termites. Termites are readily killed by the chemical d-limonene found in the former when they come into touch with it. Neem oil, on the other hand, starts to work as soon as the termites consume it. For optimal effects, pour or mist these oils over the affected areas many times.
5. Employ Parasitic Nematodes
Little worms called parasitic nematodes penetrate into termite larvae and destroy them in two days. To assist get rid of termites at home, you can buy this from online stores or your neighborhood nursery.
How To Prevent Termites?
In most cases, preventing an infestation is easier and more cost-effective than treating an existing one. Owners should use common sense to prevent expensive treatments and repairs in the future.First, use treated wood or keep wood away from soil if it must be used in a damp area. In a perfect world, a building's wood would be six inches off the ground.To protect wood from water damage, recoat it every few years if it is close to the ground. Do not bury any branches, stumps, or wood debris while building a house. It is not a good idea to put mulch or firewood, which are both composed of cellulose, near a house. Applying rubber mulch or rocks around the house will reduce the chances of termites remaining in the area. Cut down any big shrubs or trees and get rid of the stumps to reduce the amount of plant debris and roots around the foundation.
Second, lower the moisture content and fix leaks right away. Gutter and downspout installation and maintenance need to be done correctly. To stop moisture from entering the walls, seal gaps and cracks on the outside. There should be adequate ventilation in crawl spaces.
Third, replace wood on porches and other areas vulnerable to termite infestation with steel or treated wood.
Finally, in newly built areas, use insecticide-treated sheeting or stainless steel mesh. These technologies have not yet achieved widespread adoption in Australia.
How To Avoid Termites In The Future?
After resolving your termite infestation, you need to take precautions to prevent further infestations. These are a few of the most popular methods for preventing termites. Don’t wait for an infestation. Get ahead with All Pest control packages.
Steer Clear Of Moisture
Check your air conditioner, gutters, and roof for any signs of moisture. Since subterranean termites are attracted to moisture, you can keep them out of your house by keeping it dry and free of leaks.
Remove Any Wood From The House
Termite infestations may begin in firewood stacks or tree stumps close to your home, deck, crawl space, or porch. If at all feasible, choose termite-resistant wood while constructing outside wooden buildings.
Select The Appropriate Yard Supplies
Rubber, gravel, and wood-free mulch are all excellent options. Avoid wood chips and mulch that contains wood as much as you can since they give termites easy access to food.
Maintain Clean Gutters And Pipes
Inadequate upkeep of pipes and gutters can lead to the accumulation of wood fragments and the creation of moist conditions, which is ideal for termites to find a place to nest.
Plan The Inspection Of Termites
Get a termite examination if you see any indications of termite activity. Before determining the appropriate course of treatment, many businesses will conduct them for free.
Conclusion
Termites, also known as "white ants," are termites with a distinct appearance and behavior. They are found in urban and woodland settings, primarily in wood and cellulose materials. They can establish new colonies through swarming adults, which can take several years to mature. Termite management costs over billions of dollars annually in Australia, making it crucial to understand their biology, prevention, and control. Termites can damage wooden furniture of two types: subterranean and drywood. Drywood termites, which live inside homes with dry furniture, can be more destructive than subterranean termites.
To determine if termites are infesting your woodwork, look for gaps, termite droppings, and mud-tube formations. There are five natural ways to remove termites from wood: sunlight exposure, creating a cardboard trap, applying borax powder, using termite oil, and employing parasitic nematodes. Preventing termite infestations is easier and more cost-effective than treating existing ones. Use treated wood, recoat wood in damp areas, and avoid burying branches, stumps, or wood debris near a house. Lower moisture content, fix leaks, replace wood on porches, and use insecticide-treated sheeting or stainless steel mesh in newly built areas. To prevent future infestations, steer clear of moisture, remove wood from the house, choose termite-resistant wood, use appropriate yard supplies, maintain clean gutters and pipes, and schedule termite inspections. Many businesses offer free termite inspections.
Content Summary:
- Termites, also known as "white ants," differ from ants in their small waist, segmented antennae, and larger hind wings.
- They have a queen, larvae, nymphs, workers, and soldiers in each colony.
- Workers are the majority of colony members, providing food and tending to the nest and foraging tunnels.
- Neotenic reproductives, or alates, aid the development and spread of colonies, with between 60,000 and a million people in a mature colony.
- Termites are found in urban and woodland settings where cellulose materials are present.
- Workers search for food and only eat cellulose products, including paper and wood.
- A termite colony can extend 260 feet in a straight line.
- Termites can establish a new colony underground through swarming adults or by splitting off and starting a new colony as it expands.
- Termite management costs over billions of dollars annually in Australia.
- Understanding the different types of termites that can damage a house is crucial before planning a termite control treatment plan.
- Termites can damage both subterranean and drywood wooden furniture.
- Drywood termites do not require wet conditions to survive, making home termite control challenging.
- Look for gaps in woodwork and termite droppings in chips or fractures.
- Subterranean termites are indicated by mud-tube formations on the house's walls.
- Sunlight Exposure: Leave wooden furniture in direct sunlight for two to three days to eliminate termites.
- Create a Cardboard Trap: Use cardboard and other natural materials to control termites.
- Apply Boric Acid Spray: Mix borax powder with water and spray damaged areas.
- Termite Oil Treatment: Use orange and neem oils to kill termites.
- Employ Parasitic Nematodes: Use parasitic nematodes to destroy termite larvae.
- Use treated wood or keep wood away from soil in damp areas.
- Lower moisture content and fix leaks immediately.
- Replace wood on porches and other areas vulnerable to termite infestation.
- Use insecticide-treated sheeting or stainless steel mesh in newly built areas.
- Steer clear of moisture: Keep air conditioner, gutters, and roof dry and free of leaks.
- Remove any wood from the house: Choose termite-resistant wood when constructing outside wooden buildings.
- Select the Appropriate Yard Supplies: Use rubber, gravel, and wood-free mulch.
- Maintain Clean Gutters and Pipes: Inadequate upkeep can lead to accumulation of wood fragments and moist conditions.
- Plan the Inspection of Termites: Get a termite inspection if you see any signs of termite activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Termites are social insects, primarily feed on wood and cellulose materials, have a caste system (workers, soldiers, and reproductives), and can cause significant structural damage silently over time.
Preventative measures include removing wood-to-soil contact, maintaining a dry foundation by improving drainage, sealing entry points around the home, and regular inspections to catch early signs of activity.
Signs include visible wood damage, mud tubes on exterior walls, discarded wings from swarmers, and the presence of termite droppings, known as frass.
Effective treatments include liquid soil treatments, baiting systems, fumigation for severe infestations, and the use of borate on wood surfaces for prevention.
While some minor infestations can be managed with over-the-counter treatments, professional pest control services are recommended for comprehensive assessment, treatment, and monitoring, especially for structural infestations.
