The Habits and Physical Characteristics of Termites

When buying a house, you must be sure to have it checked for termites. A termite is much like an ant in its communal habits, although physically the two insects are distinct.

Like those of ants, termite colonies consist of different classes, each with its own particular job. The most perfectly formed termites, both male and female, make up the reproductive class. They have eyes, hard body walls and fully developed wings. A pair of reproductive termites founds the colony. When new reproductive termites develop, they leave to form another colony. They use their wings only this one time and then break them off.

The worker termites are small, blind and wingless, with soft bodies. They make up the majority of the colony and do all the work. Soldiers are eyeless and wingless but are larger than the workers and have hard heads and strong jaws and legs. They defend the colony and are cared for by the workers.

The male and female of the reproductive class remain inside a closed-in cell where the female lays thousands of eggs. The workers place the eggs in cells and care of them. Even if one colony is treated with poison, if a male and female of the reproductive class escape, they can form a new colony.

Pest control companies can inspect a house for infestation of termites. Often, a lay person cannot spot the evidence, so it is critical to have the opinion of a professional. Treatments vary depending upon the type of termite.