TERMITES: NATURE'S SILENT DESTROYERS
Termites, often referred to as “silent destroyers,” are small, social insects that can cause significant damage to wood structures. Despite their diminutive size, they pose a substantial threat to homes, businesses, and historical landmarks worldwide.
BIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR
SOLDIERS
Soldiers have larger heads and strong mandibles, which they use to defend the colony from predators and intruders.
WORKERS
Soldiers have larger heads and strong mandibles, which they use to defend the colony from predators and intruders.
REPRODUCTIVES
The reproductive caste consists of a king and a queen, who are responsible for producing eggs and maintaining the colony. They also called "Swarms" or "Gamu-gamo" in Tagalog.
THE KING AND QUEEN: THE HEART OF THE TERMITE COLONY
The king and queen are the central figures of a termite colony. They are responsible for producing offspring and ensuring the colony’s survival.
THE KING
- Role: The king’s primary role is to mate with the queen and provide her with the sperm necessary for egg fertilization.
- Lifespan: The king typically lives as long as the queen, ensuring a stable reproductive partnership.
- Provides genetic diversity: The king’s genetic material contributes to the genetic diversity of the colony, which can help the colony adapt to changing environmental conditions.
THE QUEEN
- Role: The queen’s primary role ia to produced eggs.
- Lifespan: The queen can live for several years, sometimes even decades. Her longevity is essential for the colony’s continued existence.
- Egg Production: The queen is incredibly prolific, laying thousands of eggs each day. Her reproductive capacity is a key factor in the rapid growth of termite colonies.
TYPES OF TERMITES
SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
These termites live in underground nests and construct mud tunnels to access food sources. They are the most common type of termite in many areas.
DRYWOODS TERMITES
These termites create their nests within the wood they are feeding on. They do not require contact with the ground to survive.
FORMOSAN TERMITES
Formosan termites, invasive pests from Asia, are notorious for their ability to cause severe structural damage. Their aggressive behavior and rapid reproduction make them a significant threat to buildings worldwide.
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE SIGNS?
