Termites – What Are They and Where Do They Come From?
WouterTermites are a highly organized, colony-based insect. They build their colonies in warm, dark, and wet environments. Their main food source is wood, but they also feed on plant litter and cotton. Their home-building methods vary by species.
Termite societies have a caste system based on the behavior of the colony members. The major castes include the worker, soldier, and reproductive castes. The reproductive caste is called the alate.
A winged termite is an adult that emerges from a special chamber in the nest. These alates fly to a good location and land. Afterward, they shed their wings.
When they fly, the alates are guided by pheromone scent. They then begin to swarm with other alates. They may have multiple flights before they disperse and become their own colonies.
The most common type of termite in the United States is the subterranean termite. They can enter homes through cracks in foundation walls and through mud tubes. They are also attracted to light at night.
Another type of termite is the drywood termite. They build their colonies in places with large trees and timber. They can live in areas where the ground is moist, like the Deep South.
Unlike the subterranean type, the drywood type prefers to live on the outside of homes. They can also find a food source in wood scraps or damp wood on the exterior of a home.
One of the best ways to prevent termites is to keep the area around your home free of moisture. This can be done by installing downspouts that drain properly. The next step is to ensure that your foundation isn’t cracked. You can also use termiticides to prevent an infestation. They can be purchased at your local hardware store.
