Termites are extremely destructive. One single female termite can lay up to 2,000 eggs in a lifetime. These eggs can hatch into new worker termites and feed a rapidly growing population. A swarm of termites can severely damage buildings. The workers can feed on the soil, wood, and other organic materials around your home. They feed on a wide variety of different foods, including rotting leaves, fallen fruits, and other organic matter.
Termites prefer moisture and warmth
While most termites live beneath the ground, they can also spread by air. Subterranean termites can be found throughout the United States, although they are less common in extreme northern regions. They spread through wood products like lumber and firewood, and can also cause damage to homes and other structures. Termites emit the highest amount of methane of any animal or insect on the planet. Fortunately, if you have an infestation of these insects, you can take preventative measures and avoid paying the price.
During winter, termites are usually inactive, depending on the conditions. If there is snow on the ground, they may establish a nest and feed on manmade structures. The temperature determines whether a termite will live or die. Once the snow melts, it will turn into moisture and continue to serve as a perfect environment for them to thrive. During the spring, the temperature will rise and they will be more active.
Termites build galleries
If you’re curious about how termites spread, you’ve come to the right place. The lifecycle of a termite colony is crucial for its survival. A queen termite can lay an egg every three seconds, and the rest of the colony is made up of worker and soldier termites. A colony can have anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 members. The lifespan of the termite colony is directly related to how many workers and queens there are.
Termites thrive in warm weather conditions. The warmest months to find termite colonies are spring and summer when calm wind and rain are ideal for their reproduction. Later in the summer and early fall, they are more active and spread throughout wooden structures that are moist. Therefore, termite colonies can take up to five years to infest a home. While you may have a hard time identifying termite colonies, you should look for signs of swarming termites.
Termites reproduce asexually
Termites are one of a few insects that reproduce asexually. They have a 50/50 male to female ratio, and one male is particularly important: the king termite. The king termite will mate with the queen for many decades. Although it is rare to find an asexually reproducing colony, it does occur. Sexual reproduction occurs when the genetics of two individuals match, and this happens in animals, plants, and human populations.
The discovery of all-female colonies by biologists studying termite populations has opened a new chapter in understanding termite reproduction. Lady termites, which reproduce asexually, descend from mixed-sex colonies. They eventually branched off into their own colonies. The all-female colonies have some obvious advantages. The uniform head shape of the females helps defend the colony. The study will help scientists understand the evolution of the species and the role of females in their society.
Termites build mud tunnels
Termites build mud tubes to spread their colonies, a habit that may be a little difficult to detect. You may notice these tubes on your property, but they may be empty or simply a small section of the termite colony. Either way, you’re likely dealing with a termite infestation. Termites may leave exploratory mud tunnels, or you can break them open and check the inside of them for termites. You may find working tubes, which are a quarter-inch in diameter and have multiple lanes. They are most commonly found in foundations, basement walls, subfloors, porches, and foundations.
Termites typically leave their nests regularly in search of food and may travel hundreds of feet to reach a new food source. They may infest wood structures, especially if they’re built with cellulose. In addition to destroying wood, termites can also cause damage to the structure itself. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent termite infestations. If you suspect that termites are infesting your property, you should start by checking for damage to wood. Termites can cause a great deal of damage to non-wood structures. If you think you have termites then it might be a good time to get a termite inspection. Contact First response pest Control today!