La termite, without a doubt, is the worst of adversaries, when it comes to weakening and destroying wood. Bearing in mind that, in their walk, they can even drill into the concrete, all in order to reach it. Discover in this article how to identify and exterminate them effectively.
Termite
La termite, anywhere, represents a source of anguish, because they have the ability to weaken, as well as destroy wood, both in its presentations and in its derivatives. That is why it is essential to know what they are, what they are like and the best way to get rid of them. Where the effective form will not allow them to attack again, neither that wood, nor any other in the area.
On the other hand, the termite, in order to reach the wood and feed itself, is capable of drilling into the concrete, if it is an obstacle. Of which, to have the complete idea, concrete is a very resistant material, which results from setting (solidification), from the mixture of cement or lime, sand, gravel and water.
In this sense, it is necessary to review and verify structures and furniture, to be aware of their possible existence and thus exterminate them as soon as they appear.
What are termites?
The termite is a kind of invertebrate animal. Given that it is the same, it is part of one of the insects that eat wood. It is very similar to the ant, with the difference that it is whitish in color. Fact that makes it also called "white ant". In addition, it is also known by the names of "moths", "termites", among others.
Their scientific identification is "Isoptera" and they are related in a certain way to cockroaches, even being in the same order "Blattodea". They are members of "eusociality", which corresponds to the highest degree, regarding the ability of the animal to be organized, being an example that accompanies them in level, the indisputable ants. On the globe, there is an impressive record of a figure that exceeds two thousand species of these destructive insects.
The body of the termiteIt is made up of the head, the thorax and the legs. It develops and lives in the so-called termite mounds, as wasps do, and may contain up to two million individuals. They usually thrive in tropical climates, because their predilection is humidity.
What does the termite insect feed on?
The termite insect has the peculiarity of feeding on the cellulose that is contained in the types of wood, as well as in all its derivatives. With the caveat that, as is known, even paper is part of them and that is why it is one of the materials that they attack normally.
What are termites like?
At first glance, the insect termite It resembles an ant, with the difference that it has a whitish coloration. In addition, that its body is divided into the parts of, head, thorax and legs.
What material usually attack the termite?
Their diet consists of cellulose and they fulfill the objective of altering, deteriorating and corrupting wood and its derivatives, such as:
- Cardboard
- Paper
- MDF or MDF
- Plywood
- Metal sheet
- Agglomerate, among others.
Termite insect phases
The main or most relevant is the wing phase, which is what is displayed, in the way of appreciating flights with numerous members. In which a dark coloration is observed, apart from having long wings. This flight is what represents for them, the nuptial flight, where the objective is the establishment of new nests of termites.
You have to termites They come out in a "nymphal" way from the lap of the queen, where they resemble the worker termite, with the only difference being a smaller size. These have the peculiarity of changing the skin with growth and their diet is made up of cellulose, as in adults.
Types of the termite insect
Throughout the globe there are an amount that exceeds two thousand species of these insects. The following are commonly appreciated termites, which are:
underground
These develop and have their habitat in the subsoil, through nests. Attacking and acting on structures that contain wood, starting their journey from the base of it. Starting by taking as food all those woods that are close by.
In which he manages to devise all the unimaginable mechanisms, such as making numerous tunnels that allow him to reach the objective. Therefore, they are understood as a pest that must be exterminated, capable of destroying buildings and furniture anywhere.
aerial
They are those that have the peculiarity of conforming their habitat, developing their nests in the inner part of the wood and at any height. Using your flight, both to arrive, as well as to leave and move. They tend to attack the wood in a more messy way. Of these, there are the following two types:
- The so-called "kalotermes", which are handled in humid wood, having as an ideal place, the soft parts of it. It normally feeds on decomposing wood. Being very frequent to sight it in coniferous forests, which are areas that have in their frequent proximity, both humidity and water. However, they also feed on wood that is healthy. Their colonies can hold all 4.000 members.
- On the other hand, the "cryptotermes", which are handled in dry wood and with a substantial degree of hardness and resistance. It is common to appreciate it in natural areas, as well as in city environments with flow of materials and people. In which obviously, the wood is used for commercial purposes.
This type of termite It is highly resistant and lasts for long periods of time without the vital liquid. In addition, its group and attacking effect can lead it to become a complete invader, due to the fact that its development is progressive. Their colonies can house between 1.000 and 1.500 members, settling in the wood of windows, doors or any piece of furniture.
Classes or castes of the termite insect
The classes or castes of the insect termite They go according to the work, job, obligation, utility or occupation that they carry out within the termite mound, taking into account the following:
royal couple
This constitutes what is the queen and king of the termite group. Between both they carry out the reproduction of the members of the termite mound. In this, the female is visualized as a complete bag of eggs, being so large that it is difficult for her to execute any movement.
It has the peculiarity of normalizing or regularizing the hormones of the termite mound, by means of the emission of chemical messages. Its longevity can exceed two decades, having the large number of laying thousands of eggs every day.
workers
In the group of types of termites, the workers are the ones that represent the largest number of members within the termite mound. These are the ones that are characterized by carrying out the execution of the tasks or tasks in a persevering and inexhaustible way. Having to get the necessary food for their nest, or colony.
Likewise, within their duties is the construction or manufacture of the galleries, with what they make possible. On the other hand, the workers are the only ones responsible for everything that happens in the wood of any site. Be it a piece of furniture, window, door, closet, among others. Because, the food that moves to the termite mound, is simply removed from these areas.
When viewing them, they look like any other worm, however, if you look more carefully, you can see the three pairs of legs that distinguish them.
Soldados
in the nests of termite, the soldiers are the ones who carry out the duty of protecting the termite mound. They must protect it at all times and prevent the entry or damage of other insects, which for any reason try to enter the nest. Having, as main threats to the ants, who are the ones that can cause havoc if they intend to.
Another important mission of the soldiers is to rush the workers, with the aim of speeding up the execution of their work inside the termite mound. These are visualized very quickly, because physiognomically, his head is of a more prominent dimension. Apart from the fact that their coloration is darker than those that the workers have and in turn they stand out for their two large pincers, which they display in their mouthparts.
Primary and secondary breeders
In the termite colony, the primary reproductives have a darker hue and also have wings that are larger than the body. These have the important task of leaving the nest in large quantities, in order to reproduce and/or multiply. Therefore, they must fulfill the mission of expanding through new termite mounds, which is what is identified as the reproduction or propagation of the genus, class or group of termite.
Secondary breeders have a totally opposite coloration, because they are white. They are very similar to the workers, the only difference being that they are longer. These have in the termite mound, the great responsibility of taking the position of the queen if she were to die. They must also represent it, if it were to happen, that the termite mound suffers a division of the central nucleus.
It is normal for this division to occur, when it has reached a very prominent dimension, in which the queen's hormonal chemical messages cannot be received. Or that, on the contrary, it is the result of some fortuitous event, thus giving rise to the formation of a new hive.
How to differentiate the termite from the flying ant
It is necessary to differentiate between termites flying, of the Flying ants, so that the method of extermination to be used is effective. Morphologically, that is, according to the external structure of their body, the way to quickly distinguish them is as follows:
- Antennas: the termite has it straight, while the flying ant is arched.
- Alas: The termite has two on each side of its thorax of equal size, while the same ones of the flying ant differ in that each pair has one larger (front) than the other.
- Chest: The termite lacks a waist that divides its thorax into two parts, while the flying ant does.
How to differentiate the termite from the woodworm
In order to carry out the extermination of a pest, you must first be sure who is going to be eliminated. The fastest way is knowing that the woodworm is the larva stage, while, at the termite, you can see the head, the thorax and the extremities. When a kind of granites of beige color are visualized, of a size that oscillates by 0,5 millimeter. In which, in addition, in the area there is a hole in the wood, it is in the presence of woodworm.
Where do the termites that start a termite mound live?
At the moment in which the complete start of a termite mound occurs, it happens that the so-called "supplementary reproducers" become the "primary reproducers". Given that, for this, they have migrated from their termite mound, taking flight, to create a new one. During this process, exchanges with members of other nests take place and these take place thanks to the sexual pheromones that they emanate.
As far as possible, they seek to prevent inbreeding, which is the crossing or mating between the same members of the nest, but if it occurs, it is accepted. For the crossing, new pairs are formed and these during the same will lose their wings. With this, the event of seeking to form a new nest to mate and lay the first eggs begins. Which, after hatching, will become the first nymphs of the new termite mound, which will have food through the mother.
The nymphs, when they grow up, will become workers and their mission will be to protect the termite mound and provide food for the king, queen and the new nymphs. It should be noted that when a significant number of workers has already been reached for the termite mound, it is when the soldiers appear. Until then the primary and secondary players are reached, with which all the members that make it up are complete.
Damage caused by the termite insect
It is important to be clear that the termite, it is not an insect that can cause harm directly to the human being. Because they do not sting, bite or cause any allergies. Being the only damage, main and direct to the wood and its derivatives. This is because its food is this and cellulose. However, when it finds a concrete that gets in the way, it will not hesitate to drill it, also weakening it.
They come to attack, among many examples, books, notebooks or any other paper, parquet or parquet floors (from the French parquet), which is made up of thin interlocking sheets of wood. As well as, wooden furniture of all kinds (from a chair, built-in kitchen, tables, desks, bedrooms, among others). Likewise, doors, windows, beams, columns, types of trees and many more.
Way to avoid having the termite insect as a host
the devastating insect termite, has two elements that constitute the perfect place to stay in any wood, anywhere, be it home, office, business premises or others. These elements are the following:
- Humidity
Although there is the existence of the termite, which is established in dry wood, the worst is the one that is located in wet wood, because it is part of the best reproduction medium. Therefore, avoiding excessive humidity also prevents the appearance and/or lodging of termites.
- easily accessible food
The easily accessible food is, of course, wood and its derivatives. This means that the wood or furniture of this compound, which is not in use, must be located in protected places and be aware of its cleanliness. As well as any indication that suggests that it is being damaged by some agent. In this way, you can manage the situation and prevent the entry of the termite.
How to eliminate the termite insect through home remedies?
Before the use and application of home remedies, it is important to take into consideration that they initially constitute an effective means to drive them away. Bearing in mind that this becomes effective if it is applied repeatedly, as in the case of alcohol.
In addition, all preventive measures must be carried out, so that the termite do not stay in another place in the same wood or another nearby. Because the goal is to exterminate them, not move them from one place to another. In this sense, the following home remedies are considered to eliminate the termite insect, with their differences in incidences, which are:
Boric acid
This contemplates two modes of use, which are:
- Placing it on top of the wood in which they are displayed or trying to get a solution or dust into it.
- Strategically placing, moistened baits.
It is important to take into account that the termite will die only if it ingests a high dose of this acid, considering that this remedy is really effective when the case is termites aerial. Because of being underground, it is not recommended, because it will chase them away to another place and they will continue with their attack.
oil and gasoline
Giving oil and gasoline to wood is a very short-term solution. Because the termite It will easily get used to the smell and soon it will return to the termite mound. Thus seeking to continue with their usual devouring tasks.
natural acid
You have, that the natural acid that can be available within reach, is lemon or vinegar. With which it is possible to scare them away for a while, while the smell and humidity of it are on the site. Being able in this way to act with another means, while they are far away to ensure that they do not arrive again, nor do they settle again. Where the benefit of either of these two acids is that they are not harmful to any member of the family, or to pets.
Alcohol
Alcohol initially acts to drive away the termite, but if it is done regularly they will be exterminated. This is done by injecting it through all the holes that can be seen in the wood in a regular and persistent manner.
Non-homemade ways to eliminate the termite insect
There are three ways that are usually used for the extermination of the insect termite. Which is carried out by experts in the control and elimination of pests of wood and its derivatives. These are:
Tent treatment
Tent treatment is the most effective method, along with chemical treatment. In which the total extermination of termite insects is achieved. This is carried out by raising the temperature to such a level that it behaves like a fumigant, because it kills the insect.
The temperature to which the area rises is 49°C, with which the termites adults and the eggs of these. The reason for this temperature is because the heat must penetrate the Wood, that is, to reach its nucleus and heat it, thus achieving the non-existence of any member of the colony.
This method, although excellent, cannot be used in all areas, which is what the client must evaluate before making the decision that best fits the affected space.
bait systems
The bait system is the most basic, in which the expert places a series of "traps" with exclusive compounds that will result in their attraction. In this way, it is possible to verify their presence, through constant monitoring, which they execute. That, if positive, proceed to exterminate the colony of termite.
It should be noted that this entire process of monitoring and subsequent extermination can take up to twelve months, because it is a laborious method and requires a certain amount of follow-up. After what is eliminated (if any), they continue monitoring, in order to rule out the possibility of the existence of some members or reinfestation.
chemical treatment
Chemical treatment is the method that experts use the least, because no client likes the fact of knowing that an area will be covered with liquids or harmful products. Which are obviously toxic, both for pets and for humans in general. Bearing in mind that they must subsequently carry out a thorough cleaning, which guarantees no intoxication or damage to health.
This is why, although it is known that it is an effective method of extermination, using the injection of the compounds in the affected wood, as well as on the ground, establishing a barrier, it does not satisfy the client.
