Termite Behavior – Why Do Termites Follow Ink?
WouterThere are several interesting things you can learn about the behavior of termites. Among them are their strange behavior and their ability to detect wood from a considerable distance. These little insects can also damage your home if left unchecked.
Termites are social insects and need to communicate with other members of their colony. To do this, they use chemical scents called pheromones. These pheromones help them to guide each other and alert them of their path to food.
One of the most curious objects to attract termites is the ink in ballpoint pens. The ink in these pens contains chemicals that mimic the pheromones that termites emit.
It is these pheromones that enable termites to find their way back to their colony. They can also detect the presence of other termites. The pheromones are secreted to guide other termites to food. These pheromones are only detectable by termites, so they can’t be detected by humans. The smell of the ink is also important to termites.
Ink trails are an excellent way for students to understand the behavior of termites. They can be drawn using a blue ballpoint pen. Termites will follow the ink to the end of the paper and turn around to head to the center.
A popular science experiment in many classrooms involves the “Termite Trails” lab. This experiment focuses on termite behavior and includes a series of questions pertaining to their communication and identification skills. These questions are useful for students to learn about the scientific method.
