What Do Termites Eat?
Termites cause lots of damage to our properties and real estate. It can also cost a lot of money to get rid of these crazy critters. If you ever notice that termites are feeding on your house, then it is of vital importance that you stop them immediately. If you do not, they will form larger populations, this means that even after you use pesticides, the ones that survive can become immune and this can cause even more chaos.
So, where do these termites live? What do they eat? What types of food attracts termites? How can we use this knowledge to help us get a better grip on the problems that these insects can cause?
Termites, like any other species, live in a place that is ideal for their survival and reproduction. These sites usually contain a lot of moisture. Termites also like to live in places that keep them hidden and protected from possible threats and enemies such as ants. They also need to be barricaded from a harsh environment such as extreme winters, thus their colonies should help Termites to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The ideal place to host most termites is underground.
Termites need to eat material that contains cellulose - this can be found in cardboard, wood, paper, notebooks, exc. Plants such as cotton and trees can also provide this essential content. In industrialized areas, termites can chew on random material such as furniture, carpet, flooring, doors, and window frames. Termites are pretty relentless and destructive - and with no restraint, they could literally chew up a whole house.
The digestive system of termites contains cellulose-digesting enzymes that convert cellulose into energy that is essential to the growth of termites. Examples of these microorganisms are protozoan. Termites prefer to get this cellulose primarily from decayed wood. The reason for this is because wood is easily digestible and it also contains a fungus that Termites feed on that has nitrogen, which greatly promotes growth.
How does the Termite colony function? A typical Termite colony is pretty organized with very distinct social roles. The king and queen termites strictly mate and reproduce to maintain the population of a colony and spread the colony of termites to different locations. Soldier Termites help to protect the nest and ward off potential enemies. Worker termites gather food and maintain the survival of the colony. They also take care of the eggs of new termites. When a worker termite discovers a food source, they leave a trail that will guide other workers in their direction. They primarily use their sense of smell to guide their search.
This information can help you to defend your home against Termites by giving you information about their eating habits and how they function. For example, if you notice a piece of decaying wood near your house, it is probably good advice to get rid of It immediately. Do not provide an environment that meets their adaptive survival and you will not have to worry about termites colonizing near your house. Prevention is the best defense.
|
