Termite Facts

Did you know?

Termites are small, soft-bodied, social insects that feed on wood, grass, dead leaves, bark, humus, fungi or the dung of herbivores. They are commonly known as white ants, but are not related to true ants.
There are over 2300 species of termites of which about 350 occur in Australia, and of these about 12 species damage sound timber.
Each termite colony may comprise more than a million insects divided into specialised groups called castes. Each caste is physically different and performs a particular function.
The king and queen are known as the Primary reproductives in a termite colony. It is the king and queen that establish the nest after leaving an existing colony. In some termite species, the queen can lay 2000 to 3000 eggs per day ' the king and queen may live for up to 15 years.

Winged reproductives or alates are the future kings and queens of new nests. Alates disperse in large numbers from mature colonies, usually in warm humid weather. They are weak fliers and quickly land and drop their wings. The females release a scent (pheromone) to attract a male with which to establish a nest. Only a small percentage are successful in establishing new colonies. Alates are only produced in well-established, mature nests. During their dispersal flight, alates commonly land on the roofs of buildings and move inside. This is not a matter for concern since they must first establish a nest in the ground. However, alates seen emanating very close to the house suggest a nest is nearby. Contact PestCare as a matter of urgency.

Soldiers are sterile males and females. Their main function is to protect the colony. They also scout and locate new sources of food. Soldiers cannot feed themselves and are dependent on the workers for their nutrition. Some soldiers exude an acid fluid as a means of defence. This fluid can corrode metal and will penetrate mortar and low grade concrete.

Workers are the sterile males and females that feed the colony, rear young and repair and enlarge the nest. They are the only caste that can chew and digest the cellulose in wood. Workers are the most numerous caste of the colony.

Workers, soldiers and the enlarged queen are very susceptible to dehydration. Thus the humidity of the nest is kept at 90 to 95 percent. When termites are forced to cross a structure that they cannot eat, they construct mud-like shelter tubes (or galleries) which protect them against light, desiccation and predators.