Termites are one of the most aggressive and destructive pests. Known for their relentless feeding habits, they can cause significant structural damage in a relatively short amount of time. They are small in size and live in colonies. Their population can grow into the thousands and even millions. This blog covers the fascinating yet alarming world of termites by exploring their life cycle, breeding process, their favourite diet routine, the damage they cause, and most importantly, how to detect an infestation especially at an early stage.
How Long Termites Survive and Thrive
Each kind of termite infests differently and also has a different life expectancy. For instance,
Queen Termite: 15–25 years
The queen termite has the longest lifespan in the colony. She continuously lays eggs and is central to the colony’s growth.
King Termite: 10–15 years
The king termite doesn’t live as long as the queen but he remains with her throughout life to fertilize eggs.
Worker Termite: 1–2 years
Workers termite don’t live longer as their king or queen but play a very important role in the colony. These termites make up the majority of the colony and are responsible for feeding, building tunnels, and caring for the young.
Soldier Termite: 1–2 years
They also have similar life expectancy to worker termites. As their name suggests, their main role is to protect the colony just like a true soldier but they cannot feed themselves and rely on workers for sustenance.
How Termites Breed and Expand Their Colonies
Termites are a highly organized society and their breeding procedure is also remarkably efficient and well-structured. Termite colonies include a king, queen, workers, and soldiers, where kings and queens play an important role because they are the only individuals responsible for reproduction.
Their breeding process begins with a phenomenon known as the nuptial flight, which occurs typically during warm and humid conditions. During this time, alates (winged reproductive termites) leave their existing colonies in swarms to mate and establish their new colonies. Once a male termite and female termite find a perfectly suitable location, they shed their wings and become the king and queen of a new colony. They build their kingdom by digging a small chamber in wood or soil and start reproducing their colony. Initially, the queen termite lays just a few eggs, but as she matures, her egg-laying capacity increases exponentially. Some termite queens can lay thousands of eggs per day. Within a few years, a single colony can consist of hundreds of thousands to millions of termites.
What Do Termites Eat
Termites love munchings. Cardboard, your premium-looking furniture, papers, and cotton fabrics are their favourite late-night snacks. Termites are the only kind of pests that can never stop eating and can chew 24/7. Thanks to their powerful jaws, they can silently destroy your belongings right under your nose.
Termites primarily consume cellulose, a complex carbohydrate present in plant cell walls. Cellulose is widely used in products including cardboard, paper, wood, and textiles made from plants. Termites’ digestive systems include unique bacteria and protozoa that break down cellulose into useful nutrients. They don’t sleep, they don’t pause, and they certainly don’t diet. If it has cellulose, it’s going on their plate.
Serious Damages Caused by Termites
Termites might look tiny and silent creatures, but their damage potential is louder than that of any other pest. In India, termites cause more than millions of rupees in property damage annually including agricultural land.
1. Structural Damage
Termites consume wood non-stop and hollow down the structure from the inside and out once they find their meal at your home. Ignoring termite issues can lead to serious structural damage like sagging floors and ceilings, collapsing walls, doors and windows that no longer close properly, and many more. To overcome this problem and protect your precious property, opting for a reliable Termite Control in Gurgaon is non-negotiable.
2. Damage to Furniture
If you detect peeling or bubbling paint on your last year bought sofa set, it doesn’t mean you chose the wrong quality product, it likely means termites have turned your sofa into their weekend buffet. Not only your wooden furniture, but they also have a craving for your bookshelves, cabinets, and other wooden items available in your home. Termites can also destroy books, documents, and cardboard boxes. So, save your important documents by contacting IPC’s super-fast termite control services in Gurgaon.
3. Electrical and Plumbing Issues
Termites are not limited to eating wooden structures, they can digest many other things as well. In their search for food or shelter, they can chew through electrical wiring or plumbing insulation which may lead to short circuits, water leaks, and fire risks. These types of damages can be especially hazardous as they often develop out of sight. Routine maintenance and inspections from our team of termite control in Gurgaon are critical to prevent long-term system failures caused by termite activity.
4. Decreased Property Value
A well maintained house always sells faster than an old-looking house. Continuous termite damage can erode the physical and visual condition of your property, and start depreciating your property rapidly. A termite infestation, even after pest control treatment, can significantly reduce your home’s resale value. Potential buyers often view past infestations as a red flag. So, it’s mandatory to prioritize pre-construction termite control in Gurgaon before building or renovating your property.
How to Detect Early Warning Signs
Termites can deal significant damage to your home long before you realize they’re there. It’s vital that homeowners are aware of the early warning signs so they can detect the presence of termites and seek proper treatment. The following are a few common red alerts which indicate that you might need reliable termite control services in Gurgaon:
Small, pencil-sized tubes called “mud tubes”: These tubes are made of soil and wood, and termites use them to move between their colony and food sources. It’s their potential way to enter into your home.
Hollow-sounding wood: If you notice hollow-sounding wood or wood with tiny holes, that means termites have already entered your home and found their new meal, i.e. your furniture.
Termite droppings: Termite droppings, commonly known as frass, are small and resemble wood-like pellets typically found near infested wood.
Bubbling or peeling paint: This could be a sign of moisture damage caused by termites.
Winged termites, also known as swarmers: Discarded wings of termites near windows proves the presence of termites in or around your home.
If you’re experiencing any of the above signs of termites, call Indeed Pest Control right away for a termite inspection. Our team of Termite Control Services in Gurgaon locate the source of the problem and eliminate it before it wreaks havoc on your home’s infrastructure.
Conclusion
In the battle against termites, knowledge is your first line of defense. By understanding the termite behaviour, homeowners can take proactive steps toward prevention and early detection. This includes learning to spot early warning signs, maintaining a dry and well-ventilated environment, and never ignoring even the smallest indicators of infestation. Regular inspections with the help of professional termite control in Gurgaon, can save you from extensive repairs, financial strain, and potential safety risks.
