Termite usually comes from mud tube, soil or other food resources. They have wings which are rough and have equal length and also they have antennae which are straight. There are many varieties of termite from which dry wood termite and Formosan termite is present. There are more than 2600 species of termite are present. Regarding to the phylogenetic studies it has shown that cockroach is the closest relative of termite. For such type
of reason termites are placed in the order of Dictyoptera as that contains Mantids. Some common Termites with their descriptive parts are here:
- Subterranean termites: - These types of Termites are found in every part of the earth except Alaska. There are more than 2 million members of this species under the ground as they live in a moist area and can only survive in such type of area. They build many colonies under the ground. They make tubes that are made up of mud so that they can protect themselves from the air and also get their food sources directly to their place. These species are the most devastating species present in US.
- Formosan termites: -There are 2000 number of Formosan termites are known to science. They are mostly voracious, aggressive and devious. They built nest with the help of the mud inside the walls and they have large colonies in the underground. Due to the aggressive nature they finds difficulty to control over the infest structure. In Hawaii, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina and California these termites can be seen mostly.
- Dampwood termites: -These termites are larger in size and it contains high moisture to infest wood. In the Pacific coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid, southwest and southern Florida Dampwood termites are found.
- Drywood termites: -They do not make contact with the soil like the other termites like subterranean and Formosan termites and they infest drywood. They make nests often in the roof materials and wooden surfaces. The dead woods which are surrounded in the houses, they can infest there. As they don't need much moisture for their survival like other termites, they are found in such places where water sources are present such as leaky pipe or water heater. Places like southern tier states, from North Carolina through the Gulf Coast and into the coastal areas of California Drywood termites can be found.
- Conehead termites: -They are native to the Caribbean and they are an invasive species. In 2001 they are found in US. The original name of conehead termite is "tree termites". To attenuate the misconception that this types of termites are found in the trees. In U.S. 2003 it was said that the species was eradicated. They feed on the ground like ants and spread quickly. These types of termites are aggressive e species which is known for causing damage of a property within a short time of period.
Symptoms of termite damage
Termite problems can be seen in many houses but an individual cannot take action without any idea or knowledge of how to control them. Pest controller is the one with an experience of handling these cases with proper treatment. They provide the actual knowledge of handling these termites carefully. Some symptoms are: -
a. On the exterior of the house mud tubes are present where termites can be seen.
b. Hollow sound is formed in the soft wood when it is tapped.
c. Dreadful of wood structure.
d. Paints to be seen bubbling.
e. In front of termite nest feces can be seen that are resembled in a saw dust manner.
f. Repudiate wings can be seen in the windows which indicates termites are present.
Ways to get rid of termites
Both chemical and non-chemical method can be used to destroy termite fully. By non-chemical method termites can be controlled for some time but cannot be destroyed fully and by chemical methods it can be destroyed fully. All the processes must be done carefully and before doing the processes proper knowledge must be taken. Some ways to get rid of termites by chemical and non-chemical methods are:-
- Excessive moisture must be removed.
- Using of cardboard traps.
- Exposing towards sunlight.
- Using freezing technique.
- Using orange oil and vinegar.
- Using cayenne pepper.
- Using sodium borate or Borax.
- Using Neem oil.
- Using soapy water.
- Using Chlorpyrifos 20% EC.
- Using Lindane 20% EC.
- Using Imidacloprid 30.5% SC.
- Taurus SC.
- Using Bifen XTS.
- Using Spectracide Terminate.
- Using Termidor Foam.
- Using BioAdvanced Termite Killer.
As Termitarium forms colonies in the underground so it must be removed from the root from where they are born for which methods should be properly done. By the correct termite treatment and termite control an individual will not face such problems again.