Subterranean termites superficially resemble ants; their "white ant" name is probably due to their similar size and social habits.

Termites are insects that feed on wood and serve an important function in nature by converting dead trees into organic matter. Unfortunately, the wood in buildings is just as appetizing to termites and they cause serious damage to residential and commercial buildings as well.

In Florida, subterranean termite damage cost homeowners millions of dollars a year. Now you can fight back and help protect your largest investment -- your home.

The Sentricon® System, from Dow Agroscience, lets you go after the termite's home - the colony. Colony elimination is the best way to deal with termites. And only Sentricon can achieve it. Once termite activity is established in a station, termites will consume the bait. The slow acting active ingredient prevents molting and delivers total colony elimination, while being non-disruptive to the

As social insects, termites live in colonies that number from several hundred to several million individuals at maturity. They are a prime example of decentralised, self-organised systems using swarm intelligence and use this cooperation to exploit food sources and environments that couldn't be available to any single insect acting alone. A typical colony contains workers, soldiers, and reproductive individuals of both sexes, often containing several egg-laying queens.

Termites feed exclusively on wood and wood products containing cellulose. Termites have protozoa (microorganisms) in their intestines that provide enzymes to digest cellulose. Although termites are soft-bodied insects, their hard, saw-toothed jaws work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, a piece at a time.

Termites often infest buildings and damage lumber, wood panels, flooring, sheetrock, wallpaper, plastics, paper products and fabric made of plant fibers. The most serious damage is the loss of structural strength. Other costly losses include attacks on flooring, carpeting, art work, books, clothing, furniture and valuable papers.

Termites communicate primarily by secreting chemicals called pheromones. Each colony develops its own characteristic odor. An intruder is instantly recognized and an alarm pheromone is secreted that triggers the soldiers to attack. If a worker finds a new source of food, it lays a chemical trail for others to follow. The proportion of termites in each caste within the colony is also regulated chemically. Nymphs or immatures can develop into workers, soldiers or reproductive adults depending on colony needs. Sound is another means of communication. Soldiers and workers may bang their heads against the tunnels creating vibrations perceived by others in the colony and serving to mobilize the colony to defend itself.

 

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