TermiteTalk^TM Blog

A Bad Reputation: Termites Share Their Good Side

August 25, 2008 1:25 p.m.

There are many species of termites that occur naturally in the U.S., but only a small number are pests in houses and other structures. So, what are the rest of the termites doing if they are not thinking of ways to get into your house and chew on some timbers? Well, mostly good things.

Termites are one of only a few animals that can feed on cellulose (wood); they can use it as a food source. Cellulose is a strong and stable material that is naturally resistant to decay. But in natural habitats, it’s necessary to break down dead trees and other woody material and return nutrients to the soil. Termites do that with the help of some special microbes in their gut. The value or benefit of termites is most evident in the tropics where there are extensive forests and the soil can be shallow. Termites are busy there converting dead trees into useful soil.

Animals looking for a high protein meal do not overlook the termite colonies. The typical colony is large (thousands of workers and soldiers in the nest) and not difficult to find. Several animals, including chimpanzees, birds and ants will break into colonies to get a meal. For most of these animals, termites are not their main food source, but they can be an excellent source of proteins and fat. Humans have also figured out the food value of termites. Several cultures have recipes for cooking and eating termites. Yum.

Another way to look at termites is their position in the food chain in habitats that have a lot of trees and woody plants. In these habitats, termites may be the primary “reducers” of wood cellulose into usable by-products. Otherwise, forests would be littered with dead trees.

Reference: Urban Entomology: Insect and Mite Pests in the Human Environment. 1996. Wm. H. Robinson. Chapman & Hall, London, U.K. 

Southern Charm: Why Termites Make Their Home in the South

July 28, 2008 9:23 a.m.

The present distribution of subterranean termites in North America is probably very close to what it was when the Pilgrims arrived. The climate, soil conditions and available food supply in the southern U.S. favored the many species of native termites. Mild winters allowed for nearly year-round feeding and tunneling in the soil, the predominant sandy loam soil held moisture and was relatively loose, and the fast growing, short-lived pine trees in the region provided plenty of food. In general, these conditions have changed little, except termites now feed on the pine lumber in houses and not on the forest floor. Building practices during the early settlement of the southern states favored wood close to the ground, and houses with narrow crawl spaces and no basements.

The native subterranean termite species are still abundant in southern states, but not any more than they were originally. Several species have extended their range into northern states, to regions that did not have termites originally. But they are not as successful as their southern relatives. Soil conditions are rocky and often dry in the North because the region has lower rainfall; the winters are also long and springtime weather is erratic – both of which can disrupt swarming. The food supply in northern regions is primarily hardwoods.

The Formosan termite has joined the ranks of the native subterranean termite in the southern U.S. This species was introduced from Asia, and is now in states from Florida to California. As an introduced species it may not have the parasites and predators that the native North American species have, so it does very well. Formosan termite colonies are larger than the native species and their construction is slightly different, making this termite species more destructive.

Reference: Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests. 2000. Edited by R.E. Gold and S.C. Jones. Entomological Soc. of America.

When Termites Fly: Why These Bugs Take Flight

June 30, 2008 2:43 p.m.

Thousands of winged termites swarm out of underground nest sites in spring —with one objective in mind: to find a mate and build a nest, and eventually establish a new colony. Large numbers of males and females are produced in subterranean termite colonies in late winter and early spring. They are moved to specific locations in the nest (near the soil surface) and remain there until the time is right to leave. They may wait for several weeks, and have to be fed and groomed by nestmates. This scenario is played out in other colonies in the area – that’s important.

The value of swarming is for colonies to ‘exchange’ males and females for mating. In general, colonies use weather conditions to coordinate the release of their reproductives. They wait for calm winds (less than 6 mph) and overcast days following a spring rain. They don’t want a strong wind to blow everyone away from the big dance! Wet soil helps the new couples to build their first nest, and the extra humidity helps survival. Not all swarms occur outdoors. Sometimes the colony misjudges the release point and thousands of winged termites are released indoors. Regardless of the site (or lack of exchange with other colonies), the pairing, shedding of wings, mating and potential founding of a new nest all proceed without a hitch.

Colonies usually produce swarms once they have reached a certain size – based on the number of workers in the colony. The average colony produces swarms every year, but the number released varies. The release is usually staggered over a few days. There may be a large ‘first’ swarm, followed by smaller second and third swarms. Termites have a lot of swarming experience, and seem to make it work.

Reference: Urban Entomology: Insect and Mite Pests in the Human Environment. 1996. Wm. H. Robinson. Chapman & Hall, London, U.K.

Termite Damage: Little Bugs, Big Problems

February 27, 2008 6:26 a.m.

Termites are considered the number one threat to homes in the U.S. — a risk greater than fire, flood and wind. While termites are not as visible or dramatic as these other dangers, their slow, methodical eating of house frames and support timbers can be very costly. In fact, according to the National Pest Management Association, termites cost Americans more than $5 billion in damages annually. These hungry termites are found in almost every U.S. state, except for some regions in the West and North.

What separates termite damage from fire, flood or wind damage is its subtlety. Termites can infest wall studs and foundation timbers for years without visible signs of damage. One colony can multiply into several colonies with several entry points and feeding sites.

Signs of termites are often hidden or overlooked by the average homeowner. Swarms of winged termites in the spring may be misidentified as flying ants. Mud tubes along a foundation wall may be difficult to see in the dim light of a crawlspace. Homeowners in termite-prone areas should contact a termite professional to inspect their home to prevent and treat termite damage.

Termites have earned their most dangerous threat status due to their classification as social insects, which means they live in colonies and take care of one another. They groom and feed each other, protect the queen and the eggs she lays, and maintain the structure of the nest. With enough food (i.e. wood in and around your house), colonies can grow to support hundreds of thousands of workers. When they grow too large for one nest, colonies can divide to form new and separate colonies within the same structure. Left undetected and untreated, these termites can cause extensive damage.

Reference: Handbook of Household and Structural Insect Pests, edited by R.E. Gold and S.C. Jones. Entomological Society of America, 2000.

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RE: Home owner
It is not common for termites to attack redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)trees--this is one of the wood species that is considered to be resistant to termites. Perhaps the damage to the wood has been done by other insects, such as a longhorned beetle.
Posted By: William H Robinson, Ph.D.
2008-07-01 4:37 PM

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Home owner
I bought a old homestead which was infested due to general wood to ground contact. the house was lifted and lost as a food source for the colonies below ground. This could not be achieved for the redwoods trees on the property. The termites are now eating the sap wood on all the trees. Branches no longer capable of transporting water are dying. If a branch is stripped or its bark, there are termite tunnels all through the Outer white wood layer, What can I do?
Posted By: kurt alfred
2008-06-25 8:37 PM

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RE: Director, Health, Safetyand Environment
Termidor has been used for subterranean termite control around the world for about 10 years. The active ingredient in Termidor is fipronil; this insecticide is toxic to insects at very low concentrations, but it is relatively non-toxic to other animals. For termite control it is typically applied as a 0.06% concentration (most termiticides are applied at 1%). It is injected into the soil to a depth of 4 feet or less, depending on height of the foundation or concrete slab. This application method establishes a zone of treated soil around the perimeter of the house and results in little or no exposure to people or pets.
Posted By: William H. Robinson, Ph.D.
2008-05-06 10:28 AM

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Director, Health, Safetyand Environment
I would like to know about the compound Termodor used for termite treatment. I would like to know as to what %soution is used for the treatment and how deep it is injected in the soil. Is it safe to be used in the residential houses when you have kids in the house? Please repond back soo as possible.
Posted By: Inderjitkaushal
2008-04-18 9:37 AM

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RE: Homeowner
There are some species of wood that are naturally protected from the attack of termites. But these woods are not common and often not available in the U.S. Usually it is the heartwood of these trees that is resistant to termite feeding (because of the resins located in this part of the tree). Redwood is somewhat resistant to termite attack; Yellow cypress (Alaska cedar) is somewhat resistant; Eucalyptus, the slow-growing species are resistant; Sentang is fairly well resistant to termite feeding; Neem is resistant to termite feeding; and Laotian and Burmese teak, and some Indonesian hardwood, are resistant to attack. The scientific names of some of these trees may help if you are looking for more information: Redwood - Sequoia sempervirens; Yellow cypress - Chamaecyparis nootkatensis; Eucalyptus microcorys; Sentang - Azadirachta excelsa; Neem - Azadirachta indica; and Indonesian hardwood - Shorea laevis.
Posted By: William H. Robinson, Ph.D.
2008-03-07 5:03 PM

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RE: Making a house safe
Great question! Replacing the bottom layers of siding will not “protect” or “prevent” termites from attacking the house because they can bypass these layers and attack the wood directly above them. I recommend you contact a trusted termite specialist to conduct a thorough inspection of your home to determine if there are conducive conditions for termite activity.
Posted By: William H. Robinson, Ph.D.
2008-03-07 4:15 PM

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OWNER
NICE SITE, AND VERY HELPFUL, NEVER KNEW MUCH ABOUT THESE BUGS
Posted By: DOUG SMITH
2008-03-06 11:51 PM

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Making a house safe
Will my siding be safe from termites if I have just the lowest few layers replaced with hardi-plank or do I have to have the whole thing done?
Posted By: Barbara
2008-03-05 2:57 PM

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Homeowner
I know that termite protection is important, but are there types (species or groups) of wood that are naturally more resistant to termites than others?
Posted By: Emily Wagner
2008-03-05 9:45 AM

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Ms.
What a great resource! I never knew termite damage could be so costly and devastating. I will be calling a professional for an inspection soon. Thanks for making this valuable information so handy and accessible.
Posted By: amy
2008-03-02 7:23 PM

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