Termite has a fairly similar caste system to ants, bees and wasps; the caste system is divided into king, queen, soldiers and workers. To understand which kind of termites is bordering your house, you could check their nest location. In general, they are divided into three distinct groups: Subterranean Termites, Drywood Termites and Dampwood Termites.
Characteristics
Termite is a very commonly found insect in Asia; they are widely distributed in south of China due to the mild tropical and subtropical climates. They are usually small, between four to fifteen millimetres in length.
The initial cause of termites starts with a pair of dark-brown termites with wings in different genders. The initial pairs would leave their nest around spring and summer time, especially after rainy season, to look for a suitable environment for reproduction. The characteristics of the most suitable reproduction location include, soil, cracks between wet wood and around cellulose materials.
Termite Queen
The length of termite queen is around two to four inches. The queen of the termite colony is responsible for reproduction. The queen has the longest lifespan of all insects in the world; therefore, if the matter was not being taking care of, it could become a very long-term problem.
Termite King
Responsible for mating with the queen.
Worker Termite
Worker termite is the largest group among the four termite groups; they undertake most of the labour work within the colony. Their major responsibilities are foraging, food storage and nest maintenance. One of the most important job of worker termites is known as trophallaxix, it is a process of converting and recycling nitrogenous components, allowing the feeding proceeded without their parents, in result of the faster growing of the lower group. Worker termites are also responsible for feeding the king, queen and soldier termites.
Soldier Termite
The number of soldier termites is less than worker termites; however, they are very essential for defending the colony. Soldiers are around the same size as workers, but they have a relatively larger heads with highly modified and powerful jaws for offending purpose. They could be commonly found in the entrance or around the main tunnels of the nest.
Termite Nest Categories:
Drywood Termites They infest dry and non-decayed wood. Drywood termites do not live on soil and could survive in extremely dry environment; therefore, they could easily reproduce in household location with wooden decorations.
Dampwood Termites They are fed on damp and rotten wood; due to the fact that dampwood termites required a very moisturised environment, their favourable reproductive location are in colder area, such as wet flower racks or seashore houses.
Subterranean Termites Their nest could be found in or near soil. Yet, this kind of termite is very versatile; they don’t have a specific nesting location; any moisturised environment or place with wood could potentially become their breeding ground. The most common locations that are targeted by subterranean termites are cupboards and walls that are made out of wood, nearby the kitchen and bathroom areas.
The factors affect the reproduction of termites:
Temperature
Weather and temperature are not a major factor that would affect the growing of termites; they would only slower the process of metabolism. Besides, termites normally build their nests deep inside the wall or between buildings’ levels where the temperature is more stable.
Humidity Level
Termites will build their tunnel paths according to the humidity level; some termites as mentioned before could survive in extreme condition. The humidity level could be compromised even with just pipe leakage, water dripping from air conditioners, sinks and walls or rotten wood nearby your household.
Obstructions
Termite is considered a very mobile insect; they would move their nest location due to environmental factors and humidity level. Besides, human interventions, such as removing food source and spraying insecticide, could also cause the relocation of termites; however, these are only short-term solutions. Termites would not be terminated completely without professional help.
Sound
Sound could not be reach by termites, unless their nests have been destroyed. When the nest was under attack, soldier termites will use their hard shell to defence, so as to communicate with other termites for precaution.
How to prevent termites?
Since wet wood and soil are two major causes of termites; in order to prevent termites, we provide termites prevention treatment during your furnishing and interior decorating period:
1. First, after removing the decorations on the wall and tiles, preventing pesticide will be placed behind the walls, on the celling and floors to create chemical insulation to prevent termites from going through.
2. Then, we will spray the same pesticide on all of your wooden materials, floor materials, tiles, cupboards, wardrobes and so on, to terminates termites on all decorative materials; so as to create a layer of protection, for future prevention of termites and solving the problem completely. (Right: Demonstration of pesticide spraying by our professional worker)
After the problem has been solved, there are some everyday life tips that could help to prevent termites:
Regular check on pipes leakage and air-conditioners dripping could prevent creating a breeding environment for termites.
Keep the indoor environment dry and ventilated; on a humid day, please use dehumidifier to lower the moisture level.
If termites have been found, please DO NOT spray pesticide on the nest; it would obstruct the existing environment of termites and causing a wider spread of them.
If you suspect that termites were found in your house, please contact us for an inspection.
Once termites’ invasion has been confirmed, there are 3 solutions:
Hole drilling and pesticide placing
Our professional workers will drill a tiny hole on all wooden decorations in the household and placing pesticide to eliminate termites.
Spraying Pesticide
Our team will start the preventing treatment during the decoration period; we will also terminate any living termites and nest found. After that, right before you move in, we will continue the second part of our treatment by spraying pesticide and prevention chemical around the house, including walls, floors, celling and furniture.
Termites Baiting and Monitoring System
By using the specialised termites baiting and monitoring system – EXTERRA, it would not only terminates termites that have invaded your home, but also eradicate their underground nest. The benefit of using this system is that it does not require any removal of the existing interior decorations; simply by placing the trap (A cream-coloured plastic box) around the area where termites most likely appear, worker termites will collect the bait as food for the rest of the colony. When termites are terminated, the baiting and monitoring system would be removed by us.
2. Then, we will spray the same pesticide on all of your wooden materials, floor materials, tiles, cupboards, wardrobes and so on, to terminates termites on all decorative materials; so as to create a layer of protection, for future prevention of termites and solving the problem completely.
