Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Nov 07, 2008 8:45 pm What does a termite look like?
Termites are commonly referred to as white ants. The truth is that they are neither white nor ants. In fact termites are more closely related to cockroaches than ants. Termites have three castes that are commonly found by homeowners so we will deal with those three here. Most worker termites tend to take on the colour of the timber that they are consuming as they have an opaque skin. 1. Alates Alates are the winged reproductive caste of termites. The size of alates varies from species to species however generally they will be between 6-10 mm long. Alates (called swarmers in the US) are usually only seen in summer, after a very warm and humid day and given quite still conditions they will leave the nest en masse. They have clear veined wings which they drop very shortly after landing. The purpose of this colonizing flight is to establish new colonies. 2. Soldiers The soldier caste of termites carries out the function that the name suggests. Large numbers of soldier termites exist throughout the colony placed strategically to ensure that if intruders are found that they can be swiftly dispatched. Some species of termite have the ability to exude a substance from the fontanel on their head which is useful in warding of enemy ants etc. Soldier termites do not feed themselves they are fed by the worker termites and are often the last in the colony to receive food. 3. Workers Worker termites are the caste which causes the most damage to buildings, being the termites at the coal face. Apart from being the gatherers of food, these termites are responsible for the distribution of food to the Queen, King and other castes. The workers are also responsible for building the shelter tubes that protect the termites from the outside environment and also for providing moisture for the colony. Re: WHAT DOES A TERMITE LOOK LIKE? 2Nov 08, 2008 7:30 am Good Posts Pestec.
Some pics to help people understand them a bit better. Is it true that is takes around 7 years before the new colony is large enough to start searching for more food - ie a house? The soldier Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ and the workers. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ How big is a termite colony before it can cause damage 3Nov 08, 2008 7:42 am It generally takes around seven years for a termite colony to mature. In some species this will mean that the colony can have 1,000,000 members. The colony can and will forage for food from the time of its inception. When it is very small, say in its first year, the food requirements can be quite low, but as it increases in size it will also have to increase the food intake. So really a termite colony can cause damage to homes or any structure even when small but the damage and speed with which the damage can occur increases as the colony size increases.
The best thing to do when termites are found at all is to introduce a termite bait to them which they will consume instead of timber and distribute it throughout the colony causing the ultimate demise of the entire colony Re: WHAT DOES A TERMITE LOOK LIKE? 4Nov 10, 2008 9:57 am Hi Pestec,
How often do you recommed pest spraying around the home. We had a pest inspection prior to purchasing and were told to remove all the garden edging which is made from now rotting wood. Should we also get the place sprayed for termites. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it. W.C. Fields Brought Established. Re: WHAT DOES A TERMITE LOOK LIKE? 5Nov 10, 2008 2:43 pm So those "flying ants" are actually termites?
I've noticed them around from time to time in different places we have lived. Gee I hope they don't get into furniture? Were living in the shed and we did have some get inside (attracted to the light) on a couple of occasions. They drop their wings when they fall on the floor like you said, but some seem to die too. We have heaps of white ants around here, the house is being built out of brick, so I hope they just stick to the plenty of trees out there rather than searching for us. A very interesting fact I found is that termites go through the soil! No the fireplace doesn’t work. It’s been enclosed. I’m not sure what was removed, as it was done quite some time ago - well before what I can see with photos online… 2 11569 Yes, neither is termite damage that is not covered by your house insurance. 3 6571 4 1825 |