10 facts you did not know about termites
Termite issues are a pretty common problem for those living in Australia. Given our hot, moist climate and the way many of our homes are constructed, it is easy for these tiny wood-eating insects to get comfortable. So let’s look at some surprising termite facts and some of the common myths out there about what won’t work. We’ll be sharing some clever ideas for how to keep your home safe for good.
Part 1: Ten Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Termites
1. Termites “talk” using chemical signals
Termites send scents, known as pheromones, out into the air. These chemical signals help them locate food, alert their peers to danger and keep track of who’s who in their teeming throngs.
2. Some termites can fly
You could confuse winged termites with ants or some other bugs. These “swarmers” fly away from their colony to establish new ones. You might find peeling wings around your windows.
3. Most termites are blind and live in darkness
Worker and soldier termites are blind. They use vibrations, chemicals and moisture to see their way around and stay alive.
4. Termites are actually related to cockroaches
Despite the resemblance, termites are actually related to cockroaches, not ants. They are part of the same insect family with a few things in common.
5. A single colony can have up to 1 million termites
Termite colonies can be enormous. The queen lays up to 30,000 eggs a day and can live 25 to 50 years, so just one colony can wreak serious long-term damage.
6. Termites make noises you might not hear
When they are disturbed, termites head-bang tunnel walls to make warning vibrations. You may also hear a hollow sound when tapping on wood infested with the pests.
7. Termites never stop working
While some pests rest at night, that is not the case with termites they’re actively eating, creating tunnels and defending their colonies.
8. Termites are powerful wood eaters
They eat wood and paper, and even some types of plastics. Left unattended, they can do substantial damage to your home’s structure.
9. The queen termite lays up to 30,000 eggs a day
That’s a lot of new termites! This rapid breeding can help explain the way infestations can easily spiral out of control.
10. Termites and ants are rivals
While they are lookalikes, termites and ants are rivals. Ants forage for termites to eat, and termites fight hard to protect their colonies.
Part 2: Termite Treatments That Don’t Really Work
1. Spraying insecticides or repellents
A lot of the sprays you can buy over the counter only kill the termites that you can see but not the entire colony. Besides, they could do more harm than good by introducing moisture or toxic compounds into your home.
2. Using natural remedies like orange oil
Orange oil includes a chemical that is lethal to termites on contact but does not provide long-term protection. It’s flammable and not strong enough for a serious infestation.
3. Relying on ventilation and sunlight
Termites hate sunlight, but they spend much of their lives buried in soil or wood. The whole colony can’t reach sunlight, so it won’t solve the problem.
4. Spot treatments that kill only on contact
Only dealing with what can be seen means termites out of sight are overlooked. Without addressing the hive, the infestation will come back.
5. Depending only on pre-construction treatments
Pre-construction termite barriers are a help, but eventually they lose their effectiveness. Termites could still invade later, so continued protection is necessary.
Part 3: How to Protect Your Home from Termites
Get a thorough termite inspection
While termites can be nearly invisible to the untrained eye, professionals can catch signs you may not see and stop termites before they cause serious damage.
Explore different treatment options
Pest Control Pros also use measures such as:
Foam treatment for Drywood Termites
Subterranean termite soil injections around your house
Attract and kill entire colonies safe for use around pets and children
Practice good termite prevention habits
Repair leaks and eliminate sources of moisture in and around your house
Don't pile mulch or wood up against your house
Maintain dry and properly ventilated (crawl spaces)
Get rid of cellulose items, such as old paper and clutter cardboard
Seal cracks in walls and foundations to prevent termites from entering
Termites are some of the most tenacious insects, but armed with the right information about them and what they need to thrive, you'll be able to keep them from making their next meal out of your house.
Global Termite Treatment Glen Forrest offers all pest control services in Glen Forrest and surroundings. Feel free to contact us at (08) 6275 6525 or visit our website:
