Termite Infestation:
Termites are social insects, meaning that they live in colonies. The infestation must be identified and addressed quickly, as these pests can cause significant structural damage. To survive, subterranean termites will need a moisture source, which they obtain by going back to the ground, bringing moisture with them, or by using moisture found in the structure due to leaks, condensation, or lack of ventilation. A termite infestation is a situation in which termites have invaded a structure and are actively damaging it. They are small insects that feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials, such as paper, insulation, and fabric. Termites can cause significant damage to a home or other building if left unchecked. Drywood termites do not need additional moisture and will attack sound wood. Drywood termites are found mostly in UAE. Subterranean termites are found in virtually all states except Dubai.
How does a termite infestation occur?
Termites, as with all living creatures, need food. Cellulose found in wood is the food source for most termites found in North America. They feed on cellulose-based materials like wood, books, boxes, furniture, and drywall coverings. Termites are constantly foraging and have been founded over 150 feet from a colony. Infestations can occur in two ways. First, healthy colonies send out winged reproductives to start new colonies. When termites find a suitable area, then they will start a new colony. The second way that infestations occur is if subterranean termites are foraging for food and they find their way into a structure. Subterranean termites can do this by building mud tunnels over foundations to provide themselves access to the wood of the structure.
OtSigns of Termites
Unless there are signs of active termite infestation, you probably won’t detect termites because they forage and hang out hidden from view. The most obvious sign is discarded wings. Not-so-obvious signs include wood that sounds hollow when tapped, cracked or bubbling paint, and termite droppings that look like sawdust (frass). You may also see mud tubes that look like the image pictured above.
Pre-construction anti-Termite Treatment
Termite Control is the first step to take if you are planning to build a house or commercial building. We use highly advanced techniques for treating termite infestation.
Creating a treated zone before the construction even begins, safeguards the building from future termite infestations.
Direct injection of liquid pesticide is applied to eradicate termites completely from your premises. The different stages of our treatment include:
The sides and bottom surfaces of the foundation trenches and pits are treated with chemicals to an appropriate height. The sides of all built-up walls that directly interact with the foundation are also treated with chemicals. The chemicals are directed towards the masonry surfaces so that the earth in contact with these surfaces is well treated with the chemical. Before laying the floor, the top surface is also treated with chemicalsWe also advise builders to take appropriate care during construction to avoid creating untreated gaps later.
Life cycle :
The life cycle of the termite begins with a mating flight, wherein swarming winged reproductive males and females leave established colonies and procreate. After fertilization, winged termites land and shed their wings, going on to form new colonies. These insects then become the king or queen termites of their newly established colonies. The queen and king termites are at the center of the termite life cycle and are responsible for reproduction.
After the fertilized queen lays her eggs, they hatch into pale white larvae. Over the course of several molts, these larvae grow to assume a role in one of the three termite colony castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductive termites, also known as alates.
Each caste has a distinctly different physical appearance. Workers are responsible for constructing tunnels and chambers as well as feeding and grooming other termite castes. Soldier termites are yellow-brown in color, with dramatically enlarged heads and often large mandibles. These are useful in combat but render warriors incapable of feeding themselves. The reproductive alates are darker in color and are born with two pairs of wings.
Although it is not clear how larvae are relegated to a certain caste, some research has indicated that maturity and the overall needs of the colony may dictate caste assignment. In fact, research has indicated that castes in the termite life cycle are not rigidly set, as termites belonging to one caste may develop into another caste if the colony requires it. Thus, a soldier termite may become a worker or a reproductive termite if the colony experiences a shortage of one or the other.
Workers and soldiers live for approximately one to two years. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climate conditions.
