Facts: Termites
Latin Name:
Order Isoptera
Appearance: The termite that invades homes and businesses in New Jersey is the “subterranean termite.” Termite colonies exhibit a caste system in which individuals with physically distinct characteristics perform specific tasks. “Worker” termites are pale white in color and are wingless; “reproductive” termites have a long set of thin wings and can be distinguished from flying ants by their wide waist and straight antennae; “soldier” termites are darker in color and easily recognizable by their elongated heads and mandibles.
Habit: Subterranean termites form colonies underground and search for food year-round. They build tunnels though the soil to reach food areas, and will often build mud tubes up walls and across wood beams to reach a food source that is above ground. They build these mud tubes to protect themselves from the elements, as they need a high moisture level to survive and will die if exposed for long periods. Seeing mud tubes inside you homes basement or along foundation walls is a sign that you likely have a termite problem.
Diet: Wood/Cellulose material.
Reproduction: An established termite colony will generally contain a queen, along with several supplementary reproductives. A queen has the ability to lay thousands of eggs over her lifespan, leading to colony that can be massive in size. Growth rate from adolescent to adult stages varies depending on species and environmental factors. Subterranean termites do not actually live inside of the wood they are feeding on, they live in the soil and use mud tubes to travel back and forth from from their food source.
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