Types Of Termites
Termites are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in your home or garden without any immediate signs of damage. All termites consume cellulose-based plant materials. Unfortunately, all homes, regardless of their construction type, can provide cellulose food for termite infestation.
While each termite species thrives in different climates and eats different types of food, all termites require four things to survive – food, moisture, shelter and optimal temperature. Unfortunately, all homes, regardless of their construction type, can provide these ideal conditions for termite infestation.
Termites are detritivores, or detritus feeders. They feed on dead plants and trees as well as dead parts of living trees, including wood and wood in the soil. A termite’s mouth is capable of tearing pieces of woody material. This ability is what causes concern in human dwellings: while termite workers only measure approximately 1 cm to a few millimeters in length, their feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property. House foundations, furniture, shelves and even books are all possible feeding sites for termites.
COPTOTERMES SPECIES IN SINGAPORE
Coptotermes Gestroi
COPTOTERMES GESTROI looks like most other Coptotermes, but it is pretty small in size, with the main difference being in the head shape, mandibles, fontanelle, and postmentum of the soldier. The workers may sometimes have a very pale pinkish tint to their abdomen when viewed from the top.
Coptotermes Curvignathus
COPTOTERMES CURVIGNATHUS is a destructive termite species and attacks live trees. It is similar to other Coptotermes species like Coptotermes gestroi with the main differences in its being larger, and having strong incurved mandibles, and also a distinctive habit of attacking trees.
DRYWOOD & DAMPWOOD TERMITES
Drywood Termites
DRYWOOD TERMITES are sometimes called "powderpost" or "woodworms" due to their small fecal droppings and the fact that they commonly attack timber furniture.
Dampwood Termites
DAMPWOOD TERMITES are normally larger in size than other termite species. Like Drywood Termites, Dampwood colonies don’t have workers. Younger termites called "false workers" that do all the work for the colony.
Subterranean Termites
SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES is a term sometimes used by the public to denote termites that destroy houses. However, that is not accurate; the term merely defines one group of termites that nest underground and differentiates this group of termites from the other types. All termites can be grouped into 4 types based on their model of nest building; namely mound nest builders, arboreal nest builders, wood nest builders, and subterranean nest builders. This last group of termites is the largest group of them all with the most number of species comprising most of the families and species in Isoptera.
Flying Ants vs Termites
On the surface, flying ants and termites look alike. Know the dangerous difference by having them inspected by a Pentapest highly trained specialist.
