27 Things You Didn’t Know about Termites

by Sos Wildlife Control | Aug 29, 2022 | Pest Control Tips, Termites

You may know termites for being pesky pests that will destroy your home, however there is much more to them than that. Though termites can be pesky and unwanted, the facts surrounding these insects are incredibly fascinating as well as impressive. Here at SOS Wildlife Control we have compiled a list of interesting and fun facts about termites. Continue reading if you are interested in knowing more about termites or just want to hear some impressive facts about these insects.

Not All Termites are Pests

There are around 2800 species of termites in the world! In fact, only 28 species of termites are known for eating infrastructures. Most species of termites are not interested in eating your home. Unfortunately, the ones that do destroy your home are certainly the pesky kind!

They are Beneficial for Ecosystems

Termites can be beneficial for ecosystems as they aerate soil with their tunnel systems and promote plant growth. Additionally, they clear the dead wood that is found in their surroundings. It has also been found that in dry climates such as savannas termite mounds can help prevent effects of climate change in these climates due to the nutrients and moisture found in these mounds.

Termites do not only Eat Wood

Not all termites only stick to wood in their diet. Some species of termites have been known to eat items such as fabrics and plastics as well.

There are More Termites Than People

One single termite mound can be host to millions of termites. The queen of the termite colony certainly work hard and lay around 30 000 eggs in one single day! These queens can lay 15-25 eggs per minute. That is a large number of termites.

Termites are Large in Numbers Compared to Other Insects

As mentioned, the queen termite can lay an incredibly high number of eggs and produce massive colonies. Termites are so large in numbers that they make up around 95% of all insect and soil biomass found in tropical regions.

Termite Queens Have Long Lifespans

Termite queens can outlive any other insect in the world. In fact, queen termites have the longest life span compared to any other insect on earth. It has been found that some termites queens can live anywhere between 30 – 50 years.

Termites Promote Crop Growth

Termites are helpful for the growth of crops. This is because their poop is rich is nitrogen and acts like a natural soil fertilizer. Additionally, their tunnels help aerate the soil and allows water to penetrate the soil deeply allowing plants to readily soak up more water.

Termites are like Architects

These insects are incredibly strong and hard workers. They build tunnels, move dirt and can build mounds up to 30 feet high. The colonies are able to create intricate tunnels and massive mounds cohesively in order to help their queen and colony survive and thrive.

Termites Bite Faster than a Cheetah Runs

Termites can move their mandibles at 157 miles per hour, whereas a cheetah runs at 76 miles per hour. Their bites are incredibly fast and are certainly effective in order to create their intricate tunnels.

Termites are Rich in Gut Bacteria

Gut bacteria is becoming increasingly more important in research concerning human health. Termites are host to as much as 1400 different species of bacteria in their hindgut – with 90% of this not found in other species on Earth. Scientists are incredibly intrigued by this and strive to harness these microbes to potentially make biofuel from plants.

Termites have been used for Health

In some areas people use termites as a part of a nutritious diet, such as in Singapore. People in the Amazon also burn termite nests and breathe in the smoke in order to care for the flu.

Termites can Build Their own Air Ventilation

Termites are able to keep their nests at a comfortable temperature through the intricate system that is their nest. They create a large chimney that is central to their nest and build a large mound that is above ground. This mound has tunnels that surround the main chimney, this then acts as though they are breathing air in and out, allowing air to flow through their nest.

Termites are very Social

Termites are very social and view their colony as a family. In fact, this “family colony” typically stays together for a minimum of two generations. The family works together to take care of the young and each other. They also work together to protect the nest.

Termites Clean One Another

As we know termites are very social and take care of each other. They spend a lot of time caring for one another which include grooming and cleaning each other. This way they prevent the spread of disease in their colony.

Termites have Roles

Every colony has a caste system. This system includes a queen, king, worker termites and soldier termites. These roles are determined by the queen and her pheromones. The queen feeds her young her feces, which has pheromones in it. Depending on the pheromone that is found in the feces and consumed by the babies, this will determine what type of role the babies grow into.

Queen and King Termites are Winged

When queen and king termites reach sexual maturity, they develop wings. They use these wings to fly away from their nest and colony in the search of finding a new area and new mate to produce their own colony. Once they have found the area in which they want to reproduce, they lose their wings.

Queens are Largest

In the colony, Queen termites are significantly larger than all of the other termites found in the colony. In fact, the largest termite species have queens that can grow up to 4 inches long!

Worker and Solider Termites do not have Eyes

Although queen and king termites have both wings and eyes, many of the lower caste termites such as worker and soldiers do not have either. Worker termites are responsible for building tunnels, foraging and feeding others. They are the smallest caste of termite. Soldier termites are bigger than worker termites and they are responsible for protecting the nest. They have larger and sharp mandibles in order to execute and cause damage to any foreigners that may invade the nest and threaten their colony.

Soldier Termites Cannot Feed Themselves

Solider termites have one role, to protect the nest. This means they are unable to forage for food and feed themselves. Therefore, they rely on worker termites to provide them with sustenance. Worker termites do so by regurgitating cellulose that they have extracted from food sources into the mouths of the solider termites.

Termites Release Pheromones

Pheromones is not only a way to assign roles to termites, but it is also their form of communication. They use different types of pheromones in order to communicate what is going on in the nest, where there may be food, where there may be threats as well as other information. The pheromones are secreted from grands that are found around their chest.

Termites use Vibrations

Termites not only use pheromones as a form of communication, but they also use vibrations. If there is a threat to the colony termites will create vibrations in order to warn the others of the threat. They do so by tapping or banging their heads against the colony tunnel walls.

They Have Sensory Organs

As termites use vibration in order to communicate, they have sense organs in both their tibiae and the base of their antennae which allow them to feel any vibrations.

They Sense Food Sources through Vibrations

Termites are able to sense which food sources to search for and infest based on vibroacoustic signals that are sensed. The ability to sense vibroacoustic have been found to be specific to only some species of termites and not all termites possess this ability.

Termites do not Sleep

Termites do not sleep! In fact, they work 24 hours a day until their death. This brings a whole new meaning to worker termites!

Termites Have Competition

Termites and ants do not get along, in fact ants are not only competition for termites but are also their predators. If termite and ant colonies are found near each other, both colonies may even go at war in order to claim their territory and access to food. In these wars the soldiers castes of both species invade each other colonies.

Termites Produce Gas

Termites produce methane gas as they digest the wood that they have eaten. In fact, it is has been found that termites may release around 150 million tons of methane gas per year.

World’s Largest Termite Colony

The largest termite colony that has ever been recorded in history had over 3 million termites. This is the size of a large city!

Although termites certainly get a bad reputation, they certainly aren’t all bad. In fact, they are quite impressive creatures, and their work ethic is certainly unmatched! Although they are impressive insects, they can definitely become a nuisance in your life if you are affected by the wrong type of termite – the infrastructure eating kind. As mentioned, termites work 24 hours a day and will not stop to rest or sleep. Simply imagine what that would do to your home if they got their way into your infrastructure. If you are concerned about an infestation in or around your home, it is always best to contact the professionals before the situation gets worse. If you already have an infestation, here at SOS Wildlife Control we can eliminate the problem for you in a safe and responsibly manner. We always keep you and your family’s health and safety in mind. ! If you are concerned that you may have a termite infestation in your home or your office, contact us for safe elimination that does not jeopardize your health and safety.

If you have questions about your termite problem call us at (647) 994-9453 or 1-800-981-0330, we will do our best to help.

10 Ways to Get Rid of Termites

by Sos Wildlife Control | May 29, 2021 | Pest Control Tips, Termites

Termites are difficult pests to manage. Once you have an infestation you may feel as though you are unable to control the situation. Here at SOS Wildlife Control we want to offer some of our tips that may be helpful in managing termites if the situation is not too escalated. Continue reading to find a tip that may work for you!

Liquid termite barrier

Liquid termite barrier is a type of liquid poison. In this method you spread the liquid outside across the perimeter of your home, near the base and the foundation. Once a termite is impacted by the poison it is slow affecting, meaning the impacted termite can spread the toxicity to other termites in the colony before it dies. This slowly works through the colony. However, this method can be costly considering the amount that needs to be used across the perimeter of your home. It also is not an effective method for drywood termites or for infestation inside the home as it is meant for the outside of the home. It also could pose health risks to your family or pets if you are not careful.

Chemical Treatment

If you are struggling with a termite infestation inside the home, you may need to use a direct chemical treatment. Many are offered as foam which is much more effective for termites than spray. This method also kills both subterranean and drywood ants. However, there could be health risks involved if exposed. Additionally, this method is unlikely to be effective to kill the entire colony.

Poisonous Bait

Bait is a great way to attract termites towards their doom. When termites are attracted to the poisonous bait, they bring it back to their colony where the rest of the termites feast on it until their demise. However, although this may sound simple, it is not effective against drywood termites. There is also the risk of poison that is associated with poisonous bait. We recommend being very careful with poisonous bait, especially if you have any small children or pets.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is a powder and it is not as poisonous or toxic as the other options mentioned. This is also a low-cost method for dealing with termites. It impacts the termites by affecting their digestive system over the course of 3 – 7 days. Simply spread the powder around the impacted area. However, this method does not last very long and needs to be reapplied often. If using this outside it is important to remember that if it rains it must be reapplied as the rain will impact the effectiveness. It also is not very effective in dealing with a large colony of termites and will likely be ineffective in the long run if the colony is large.

Diatomaceous Earth

This method is the best choice for natural removal of pests and is completely non-toxic. It works by impacting their exoskeletons and leaves their bodies dehydrated which will eventually lead to their death. Simply spread the dirt around the affected area. Although it is a great way to manage a small colony, it will not be effective for a large infestation. Additionally, it is only effective for above ground termites, not subterranean termites.

Beneficial Nematodes

This is another method that is natural and non-harmful for humans. These nematodes are small roundworms that destroy harmful insects by invading its body and feeding off of it. They breed and multiply while they are feasting on the termites, which means more nematodes to destroy the termites. This particular method can only be used outdoors and cannot be used on termites that are inside the home. They are also unfortunately not effective on drywood termites.

Cardboard Trap

A simple and cost-effective way to manage a termite problem. With a couple large strips of cardboard, wet them and stack them on top of the affected area. The termites will be attracted to the wet carboard and feed off of the cellulose. Once the cardboard is overtaken with termites, bring the cardboard to a safe area and burn it. You may need to repeat the process multiple times to make a dent in the colony. Although this method may not be effective for removing the entire colony, it is a quick way to remove many termites at once.

Use Sunlight

If you have wooden items or furniture that is infested, you may be able to salvage it by placing it outside on a very sunny day. Termites thrive in darkness and humidity; therefore, the heat and the light of the sun can kill them. It is best to let the item sit in bright hot sun for 2 – 3 days. Although this method may be effective for salvaging an item, it is not effective for getting rid of large infestations.

Freeze Termites

If you are not in a sunny place or the season is off, freezing termites may work just as well. The freezing temperatures can kill of the termites that are feeding off of your wood item or furniture. However, this method does not work for an entire termite colony. In fact, termite colonies are not dormant in the winter, they typically hide underground and remain active in the winter. Be careful not to assume because it is winter that your termite infestation will go away.

Call the Professionals

Although there are different methods to get rid of termites, not all of them are necessarily effective, long lasting or particularly safe. It is important to consider the health and safety of yourself and your family when looking at treating termites. You also need to consider the effectiveness of the treatment to avoid increasingly difficult infestations that can completely destroy your home and pose safety risks to you and your family.

Termites are capable of causing real damage to your home. This puts you and your family’s safety at risk. Although we may want to take care of the situation ourselves, the methods are not always effective and are not always effective. It is important to catch termites early to avoid infestations becoming too severe and dangerous for your family. We highly recommend that you hire an experienced exterminator who has knowledge and experience in this field. SOS Wildlife Control cares about the health and safety of our customers. We use eco-friendly materials to remove the infestations in order to counter any adverse effects of chemicals. We provide long term benefits that prevent future pest infestations, all while keeping your and your family’s health in mind – pets included! If you are concerned that you may have a termite infestation in your home or your office, contact us for safe elimination that does not jeopardize your health and safety.

Call us at (647) 994-9453 or 1-800-981-0330 if you have any questions regarding pest removal.