How much do you know about termites? Here are five facts about these unpleasant pests:
- Termites bathe themselves
Ironically for an insect that spends so much time in dirt, the termite makes efforts to remain clean. They spend a lot of time grooming each other because their good hygiene is important for their survival; it keeps the threat of harmful bacteria and parasites under control for the colony.
- New Kings and Queens can fly
Did you know that new reproductive termites have wings and can fly? Referred to as alates, these termites leave their colonies and fly in search of a mate. Each pair emerges together and finds a new place to start a new colony. Once they settle to a new location, they drop their wings and create new offspring.
- Pheromones are the primary communication style of Termites
Pheromones are special chemical scents that termites use to talk to each other and control each other’s behaviors. Termites guide each other using scent trails, which are produced by a scent gland on their chests. Each colony produces their own scent, which is identified on their cuticles. In some colonies, the queen can control the growth and role of her offspring by feeding them her excrement, which contains pheromones.
- Termite soldiers create an alarm to alert others of visitors
Did you know? Termites form a tiny mosh pit when an invader comes into their colony. They pound their heads along the walls of the tunnels to create warning vibrations throughout the colony.
- Termite workers and soldiers are almost always sightless
Most termite colonies’ individuals are blind. Because most of their life is spent in a dark, damp nest, there is no need for functional eyes. Reproductive termites are the only ones with eyes because they must travel to find mates.
If you would like to learn about termite control for your home, please contact us for a free inspection. We offer residential pest control and commercial pest control for the greater Capital District area including Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties.