Termite Control
What are termites and what damage can they do?
In the natural environment, termites are useful because they help to break down nutrients from dead plants to humus. However, termites become a formidable threat when they invade our living space. Termites are one of the more challenging pests to control; it is an insect species that primarily consumes cellulose from dead wood or wood by-products, thereby destroying furniture, paper, books and other wooden objects.
Even if your home is built primarily of brick or stone, you can still find yourself with a termite problem, because structural supports and other building components are constructed of wood and other cellulose containing materials. Termites can attack wood in a building from below the ground level right up to the highest point of the roof. Over time, termite damage can become significant. Termite damage weakens wood which can eventually lead to costly repairs and structural failure.
Termite control would be most effective if it is carried out by experienced and professionally trained technicians who understand the biology and living/feeding habits of termites, on top of thorough observation of the building’s construction, soil characteristics, and favourable conditions for infestation. Termite control methods can be classified as either prevention or treatment.
The three types of termites are:
Found inside dry wood, usually in structural timbers in buildings. These termites are less reliant on moisture sources and do not need to forage in the soil.
- Feeds on decayed woods such as fallen trees and rotting logs.
- Subterranean termite (the most common and serious)
- Most commonly found termite in this region; it nests in soil from which it derives moisture.
Subterranean termites are social insects which live in colonies; these colonies are usually very large, with hundreds of thousands occupants. They primarily live below the soil surface and generally enter structures undetected via hidden pathways (as thin as a hairline crack) in foundation walls and floors.
Within a termite colony, there are different castes to represent the division of labour among the individuals. There are the king, queen, alates (or swarmers), reproductives, soldiers and workers with each caste performing a certain function in the running of the colony.How Do You Know if You Have Termites in the House?
The most common symptoms of termite activity include:
- Mud Shelter Tubes – These mud tubes, made of small soil particles and partially digested wood, can extend from the ground to the wood, or over concrete foundations and other exposed surfaces. Termites build mud tubes to protect themselves as they travel from their underground colony into your house.
- Swarmers – Swarmers are winged male or female adults which usually emerge when humidity is high. These winged termites are attracted to bright light and can be found near windows; their presence can be confirmed with the sightings of discarded termite wings on window sills, floors etc. Swarmers are the first indication that there is termite activity in the vicinity.
- Damaged/eaten wood - As termite workers consume wood, they tunnel inside the wood. In some cases, termite infestation can go undetected for years because termites consume wood from within the wood, leaving the outer layers intact. With serious damage, the wood structure will weaken and break apart. Subterranean termite nests are made of “carton” that consists of chewed wood, saliva, and excrement. Nests can be constructed in the ground or aerially.
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