Termites are not ants. Termite is under order Blattodea while ant is under order Hymenoptera. It is a hemimetabolous insect, it doesn’t go through pupa stage. Termites can classified to three categories: drywood termites, subterranean termites and dampwood termites. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites and dampwood termites seldom invade building structures. Besides that, termites can classified based on the evolutionary status into the lower termites and higher termites. Higher termites such as Macrotermes gilvus and Odontotermes formosanus grow fungus in the nests and higher termites feed on the excretants produced by the fungus comb. Lower termites have a symbiotic relationship with protozoa in their guts. Protozoa help the lower termites to break down the ligno-cellulose materials to a simpler form.
Comparison between termites and ants
| Features | Termites | Ants |
|---|---|---|
| Antenna | Moniliform antenna (bead-like shape) | Geniculate antenna (elbow-like shape) |
| Wings | Fore wings and hind wings same size | Fore wings and hind wings different size |
| Constrict region between thorax and abdomen | Absent | Present |
| Holometabolous / hemimetabolous insect | Hemimetabolous insect | Holometabolous insect |
| Diploid / haplodiploid | Diploid | Haplodiploid |
Subterranean termites (Example: Coptotermes gestroi)
Subterranean termites deal the most economic damage to human properties compared to drywood termites and dampwood termites. Unlike other classes of termites, subterranean termites build their nests underground. This is why the subterranean termite nests are hard to detect and eliminate them. The worker termites build mud tubes while foraging to ensure that they do not get dehydrate and do not contact with sunlight. The C. gestroi soldier termites will attack the enemies and excrete a latex-like liquid to protect their colony when disturbed.
| Behaviors | Description |
|---|---|
| Grooming | There are two types of grooming: self-grooming and allo-grooming Termites clean their bodies by using mandibles, maxillae and labial palpi. The purposes of grooming are to exchange information by pheromones or tactile stimulation, and apply the antiseptic saliva on their bodies so that they do not fall sick easily. |
| Trophallaxis | Trophallaxis is a food sharing behavior among nestmates. Foods are chewed, digested and regurgitated from the worker termites to same and other caste of termites. Trophallaxis helps to distribute the nutrient equally in the colony. |
| Entombment | A behavior that termites carry the dead nestmate out from the nest to maintain the hygiene of the nest. |
| Pheromone trails | Workers termites produce pheromone trails when they foraging so that the other workers will able to follow the trail to the food source. |
| Sound communication | Soldier termites tap their heads inside the mud tubes to alert other nestmates when being disturbed. Worker termites tap their heads on the wood surface to check whether the wood is big enough for their colony or not. |
| Mud tubes | Worker termites build mud tubes while foraging to ensure that they do not get dehydrate and do not contact with sunlight. |
Risks, Economic and Medical Importance
Termite is not vectors for all kind of diseases but human can develop allergic toward the bites and the fluid produced by termites. Drywood termites and dampwood termites seldom invade building structures. Therefore subterranean termite deal the most economic damage to human properties compared to drywood termites and dampwood termites.
Recommended Pest Control Products
- alphacypermethrin 1.5%
- chlorpyrifos 21.2%
- chlorpyrifos 38.7%
- fipronil 5.0%
- imidacloprid 18.3%
- triflumuron 39.7%
Premise
200 sc
Product Overview
Premise® 200 SC is a non-repellent and systemic insecticide with a unique chemistry that provides effective termite control in buildings and other structures.
Product Description
- Key Product Facts:
- Active ingredients: Imidacloprid 18.3% w/w.
- Minimum 3 years structural protection.
- Proven termite protection.
- Excellent all round value.
- Fewer complaints.
- Long-term termite protection.
- No odour.
- Recommended by architects for new buildings and large projects.
- Unique colony management - to provide maximum estate protection.
Anaitox 500
- TARGET PEST : GLOBITERMES SULPHUREUS & COPTOTERMES SPP. A. I. : FIPRONIL 5.0%
- METHOD OF WORK
- SPRAY ( SPOT AREA )
- SOIL TREATMENT ( PRE CONSTRUCTION )
- DRILLING ( POST CONSTRUCTION )
RATIO : WATER 10 LTR : 10ML (ANAITOX 500)
Hi Cloprid 18.3SC
Product Name : Imidacloprid
Trade Name : HI CLOPRID 18.3 SC
Chemical Name : (E)-1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N- nitroimidazolidin-2- ylideneamine
Chemical Formula : C9H10ClN5O2 Jisim molar/Molar Mass : 255.661
Chemical Family : Neonicotinoid
Use : Insecticide
Formulation : Suspension concentrate (SC)