Wood is a biological material. If protected from moisture and insect attack, it can last for centuries. When wood is not properly protected, however, it will succumb to biological processes that decompose wood: insects that eat the wood or fungi that cause rot and decay. The most damaging insects that attack structural wood are termites. Their activity results in damage and control costs that exceed $1.5 billion per year nationally. Beetles are the next important group of insects that attack wood, while bees, wasps and ants are third in importance, depending on geographical location. Wood-inhabiting fungi are another group of organisms that occasionally cause problems.
Termites are social insects with a caste system that includes reproductives, workers and soldiers. Each caste has a unique role in the colony. The soldiers defend the colony against invaders (typically ants) and the reproductives yield new colonies. What makes termites a concern for humans is the worker caste, which bore through wood by digesting cellulose material from structural timbers.
Termites are primitive insects belonging to an order of insects known as Isoptera, which means “equal wings.” This refers to the fact that both pairs of wings on the winged forms (called alates or swarmers) are of equal size and shape. Termites are thought by some to be closely related to cockroaches, but they are different from almost all other insects because they can convert the cellulose of wood into starches and sugar to use for nutrition.
Termite control represents a major portion of pest control work. No other type of pest control involves as many variables that affect the work to be done or the results obtained. Technicians involved in termite control must have a thorough understanding of the biology and unique habits of the termites, including their food, and moisture and temperature requirements. Technicians must also have knowledge of building construction, as well as the equipment, chemicals and safety precautions involved in termite control.
A colony that is between two and six years old is usually large enough to produce swarmers. At this time, the colony consists of thousands of individuals, both growing and mature. When swarming occurs, both winged males and females emerge from the colony, pair off and fly away to begin new colonies. They lose their wings and construct a small cell in or near wood where they mate. They are known as the primary reproductives. They are the colony founders, and the pair serves the reproductive role in the colony. They mate, reproduce and rear the first group of workers. The mated female becomes the “queen” and the male the “king.”
The act of swarming is dangerous for termites. Winged termites tend to be weak fliers and are easy prey for hungry birds and predacious insects. Generally, less than 3% of the swarming termites survive. The wind has a strong influence on the direction and distance traveled by the new kings and queens. Once they have emerged from the nest, the primary reproductives eventually strike the ground out of exhaustion or by accident. The success rate of colony establishment via swarming is extremely low because most alates succumb to predation, desiccation and other environmental factors. Many homeowners first become aware of a structural infestation when termites swarm indoors.
Having your home inspected by the Barrie Home Inspector can help identify potential infestation by insects. This will allow you to have them professionally exterminated prior to major structural damage occurring. The major importance of having a Professional Home Inspection are important when purchasing a new Real Estate property is the Peace of Mind of knowing the condition of the property.
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