Termites
A termite colony is a complex, systematic society. Termite colonies grow and spread due to the phenomenon of emergence, a process by which a large number of less complex elements form an infinitely more complex whole.
Each termite colony centers around a queen, and the queen breeds new termites that fulfill different roles for the nest. Termites use a system of chemical messengers that they release to indicate their role to one another, and this system works to maintain the balance of each type of termite in the nest.
There are three major categories of termites: Soldiers, Workers, and Swarmers. Each has their own behavioral patterns, and it is important that homeowners understand the function of each in the colony. Knowing how a termite colony functions can be invaluable in the effort to prevent and remove termite activity around your home.
Termite Workers:
Termite workers are the most numerous caste of termites in a typical nest. The worker termites are those that you will see feeding on cellulosic material in and around your home. The termite workers are smaller in size as compared to the soldiers and are usually light in color.
In addition to providing food for the colony, workers care for the queen and her young offspring. Though they are numerous, it is rare to spot workers as they tend to remain beneath the ground in tunnels or directly at a feeding site. Since termites tend to attack homes from beneath or within the walls, you will only find workers when you find an active feeding sight.
Termite Soldiers:
As their name might suggest, termite soldiers are the defenders of the termite colony. Since termite colonies tend to be spread out, the workers, young, and the queen are all at risk of attack from other pests.
Due to this, termite soldiers defend the nest from outside invaders and help to repair any damage to the nest such as a collapsed wall. Termite soldiers are much larger than the workers and can be best identified by their large heads and mandibles. Their mandibles can be used to attack other insects, however, they cannot harm humans.
Termite soldiers are not a direct threat to your home as they cannot consume cellulosic material. However, their presence around your home is a sign of nearby worker activity.
Termite Swarmers:
Termite swarmers, or alates as they are sometimes called, are the winged, reproductive members of the termite colony. Termite swarmers are released from the colony in the early spring, and they will gather together with swarmers from other local colonies to mate.
This mating process occurs at different times depending on the species, but it is usually very dramatic due to the gathering of thousands of swarmers in a single area. After mating, the swarmers will lose their wings and establish new satellite termite colonies close to the original.
As with the soldiers, termite swarmers cannot directly harm your home. They are dangerous, however, due to their ability to establish new nests. Their presence in and around your property is evidence of both current and future termite activity. Due to this, homeowners spotting termite swarmers should call in a licensed pest control service ASAP to inspect and pretreat their home.
Keeping Your Home Termite Free:
Termites are some of the most destructive pests in the world. If left unchecked, they can quickly cause major damage to a home or other structure. Due to this, it is critical to prevent them from gaining a foothold on your property.
Termite prevention centers around identifying potential problem zones, reducing conducive conditions, and applying pretreatment when necessary. Homeowners should consider calling in a licensed pest control company to perform treatment for termites as this is a job best left to the professionals.
Here at Canton Termite and Pest Control, we have decades of experience treating pests of all kinds here in the Cherokee County, GA area! Our technicians employ a wide range of safe, targeted treatment approaches that are designed to remove a pest population in its entirety quickly and completely
Termites are not an easy problem to tackle, but calling in a company that you can trust to do the job right will save you time, money, and frustration! Give us a call today at 770-479-1598!
By: Tim
