Sumitomo Chemical Asia | Environmental Health | Pests & Solutions

Termite

There are over 170 species of termite and while they’ve been dubbed “white ants”, termites are closely related to cockroaches. However, like ants, they are social insects that build and live in colonies with caste systems--simply, they are “workers”, “soldiers” and “reproducers”.

Most termites do not have eyes with the exception of “reproducers”. Termites are silent destroyers as their presence is hard to detect until it’s too late. Because of this they are reputed to be the most destructive pests in the world.

Appearance

White-cream colour
Straight waist as opposed the pinched waist of an ant
Reproductive termites shed their wings unlike flying ants

Habits

Always in constant movement in the soil in search of food
Foundation cracks, wall joints, gaps around plumbing and pipes are all possible entry points.
Tend to search areas within tunnels spreading out from the colony in a radial pattern, these search patterns divide and subdivide so that they are able to cover as wide an area as possible

Life Cycle

Reproductive caste of termites leave colony around dusk or after rainfall to find a new spot for a colony
Queen’s abdomen becomes enlarged with eggs
The queen of some species are able to lay up to 2000 eggs per day
Mature colonies can contain approximately 4 million termites
Termite colonies can exist for as long as 50 years

Signs of Infestation

Swarmers in or around the house, especially near light sources after rain
The presence of mud shelters on foundations or other walls running from the ground upwards in to the house
Stray wings left near doors and windows
Paint that has started to bubble on wood surfaces that sound hollow when knocked
Acoustic signals of termites gnawing on and knocking against wood surfaces