Termites are the structural pests that belong to the infraorder Isoptera. Termites are the insect pests that represent the highest level of Eusociality. They are cooperative towards offspring where many overlapping generations exist within the colony, and labor division prevails for the productive and non-productive assignments. Otherwise, they are the least bothered pest in North America, whereas they're most colonized and wood-destructing pests in the southern US. US public spends over 2 billion dollars each year to save their valuable structural assets from the infestation of termites. The most destructing species of termites in the US remain native eastern subterranean termites. The other two potential damaging candidates are dry wood termites and invasive Formosan termites. Subterranean termites live in-ground making a nest or colony near but, under the woodpiles, tree logs, physiologically weaker and aged tree stems where they would find plenty of food.
Termites are found everywhere except for Antarctica. However, they're least diverse in Europe and North America, where only about 60 species prevail, and 50 of them in North America alone. Updated classifications indicate over 3000 species worldwide, and 400 remain confined to South America. Africa hosts more than 1000 termites, Asia about 450, and Australia nearly 360. Asian termite species hail from China. Termites usually prevail in subtropical and mild tropical environments. Since termites are exceedingly societal and capacious, they together with ants make almost 1% of total insect species, but their biomass exceeds 50% of the total insect population. Termites may not camp strongly in a cold environment but, summer invasion could infest these areas to a milder level. A few species of termites are the pests of severe concern throughout the southern United States on farmlands, wooden structures, and in front and backyard gardens.
Termites measure between 0.2 to 0.5 of an inch in length hence they are considered small insects. The biggest termite of Macrotermes bellicosus species measures about 4 inches in length for the queen whereas, the males are comparatively smaller in all species. Each colony comprises a brown queen and king. Most species remain wingless. Each colony contains several soldier termites having large heads and extended jaws, and their role is to safeguard their colony from the predators like ants. Most colonies consist of thousands of general workers taking care of the newly hatched larvae and the queen and maintaining the nesting sites. Other workers go out in search of food, and actively forage on wooden resources of many types and, these are the real vultures that damage your precious household wooden structures. The majority of termite species are blind having lateral ocelli. Most species also possess labrum, and clypeus which is further divided into two parts. They also possess 3-segmented antennae which serve several purposes such as sensing, tasting, smelling, vibration, and heat assessment. Their mouthparts also contain powerful mandibles.
During the early development, a queen hardly lays 10 to 20 eggs per day that enlarges to 1000 in a developed colony. However, a mature queen may lay up to 40000 per day in a few species. Termites begin their lifecycle from the eggs which is often the result of incomplete metamorphosis. Termites observe 3-life stages with an egg, a nymph, and an adult. Nymphs are identical to immature adults and pass through a series of molts to become an adult. Some termite species may have up to 4 molting stages. Nymphs molt to become a worker, worker into a soldier, and sometimes a worker molts directly into an alate nymph. The development from an egg to an adult and from a nymph to an adult sometimes takes several months, depending on the availability of food, temperature, and the number of individuals in a colony. Depending on the termite, one colony may have 200,000 to 2,000,000 workers, although some contain only 50,000-60,000. The termites from a single colony can approach up to 200 feet for foraging.
Generally, there are three different types of symptoms that indicate the presence of termites around;
Termites are also potential pests for the agriculture and home gardening industry. They may feed on underground parts of many economically important crops like coffee, cotton, cassava, maize, and soybeans besides vegetables and fruit trees.
Termites construct new colonies in spring when temperature and rainfall allow them to leave an older colony and search for the new nesting site. They fly into the air from their boreholes, drop wings, pair with a mate, and prepare to construct a new colony in the soil.
There are many preventive measures but, let an exterminator inspect your home and garden first for the type of termites that are nesting in or around your property. Never try at yourself since your property is protected by the insurance company. However, if a termite infestation is limited to your garden, you may proceed with the following measures;
BotaniGard contains 22% Beauveria bassiana strain GHA that germinates and multiplies on the bodies of target insects when applied in the soil or foliage. Since our target pests and the GHA strain of Beauveria bassiana are both soil-dwelling, its direct application on termites could prove fruitful. Although the Beauveria bassiana GHA strain is not as effective against subterranean termites as some synthetic chemical formulations, it is safe for other soil-living beneficial bacteria, funguses, and microbes that remain a part of soil organic fertility. Research data proves that Beauveria bassiana could deliver about 23% control on subterranean termites if they prevail in an edible garden. Beauveria bassiana secrete an enzyme that weakens termite chitin that they can't molt. Ultimately, they enter into the bodies of worker termites and kill them. Beauveria bassiana also produces a variety of toxins such as tenellin, bassianin, and oxalic acid which, act as natural insecticides for killing termites. It also causes white muscardine disease in some insects that are also killed.
Add one tablespoon of BotaniGard per gallon of water and drench in 100 square feet of garden area. Never forget to water your garden beds before or after applying BotaniGard.
This product contains 42.5% Steinernema Feltiae, 39.9% Diatomaceous Earth, and 0.1% Potassium Sorbate. The life cycle of Steinernema Feltiae takes about 7-days where it emerges from the egg and later passes through four nymph stages to become an adult. Only the first Instar larvae can infest worker termites. First instar larvae can locate worker termites in response to their vibration, CO2, and odors when they're active in the field. So precision may be required while applying them to an edible garden. Diatomaceous Earth can injure worker termites' chitin, challenging their ability to molt.
5-million Steinernema Feltiae nematodes are enough for 200 square feet of the edible garden. Mix beneficial nematodes in a gallon of water and drench on the garden beds.
Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar holds the certification of USDA organic production systems. This vinegar is unheated, unfiltered, unpasteurized, and possesses 5% acidity. Vinegar kills all worker termites on wooden structures and walls, including the subterranean species of Formosan and native southern termites that infest your garden beds. Vinegar acts as a contact poison, and a higher level of acidity can kill termites when applied directly to their bodies. However, direct application on the foliage of the plants could burn them, otherwise, it can induce prolonged stress.
Mix one part of vinegar with 10-part water and apply it on the garden beds affected with termites avoiding the foliage of the plants.
HARRIS- Termite Killer Powder contains Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate, an odorless white alkaline substance that interferes with the digestive system of termites and causes dehydration. It's an organic remedy that leaves no residues in the environment and for humans.
Avoid spraying on the foliage of the plants since higher concentrations can bring stress to the actively growing plants.
Mix 16-ounces of powder in one gallon of water and apply on 200 square feet of garden area.
The active ingredient of Termidor RTU is Fipronil. Fipronil acts both on ingestion and direct body contact and activates excessive neural stimulation that causes the death in targeted pests, including most species of subterranean termites. Termidor RTU fits your local need and, the foamy product expands 30 times when it comes out of the atomizer. Fipronil is the least toxic poison with milder side effects on humans and the environment.
Termidor RTU is a good product for applying on small wooden structures, crevices, and mud tubes, build inside a living facility by the termites.
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