Termites are a group of insects known for eating wood, plant matter, any items that contain cellulose. There isn't just one type of termite. Most people don't realize it, but the word 'termite' is actually an umbrella term referring to the more than 2000 individual species of the insect that are all closely related. 

Termites are mistakenly referred to as 'white ants,' but recent research has shown that they are not related to ants, but they evolved directly from cockroaches. Long ago, the ancestors of termites theoretically ate and spread the microbes that eventually led to their most well-known trait, the ability to break down and digest wood. Passing on the same wood-loving microbes to each new generation would have required close-knit relationships, which seems to have laid the groundwork for the termite's social system as we see it today. 

Termites are a highly social species. They divide their roles as 'workers' and 'soldiers,' similar to the way bees, wasps, and ants do. These specialized bugs typically live one to two years, and they love to reproduce. A colony's queen can live up to 30 years, and she can lay up to 20,000 eggs in a single day! Termites have been so successful breeding, that they far outnumber people. If you weighed the entire termite population and the human population, the weight would be about equal. The far reaches of earth are home to this pest, except for Antarctica.

These critters have been around for quite a while. In fact, there is evidence that shows that termites have been on this planet for 130 million years and maybe longer. To put that into perspective, humans have only been living on earth for about 4.4 million years, and the dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years ago. They may be small, and they might take a while to get to where they are going, but termites hold an impressive speed record. One species can shut their wood-chewing mandibles at up to 157 miles per hour.

Like humans, termites are farmers. Researchers from James Cook University and Ohio University have discovered that termites did the earliest form of farming. They have been observed growing fungi in their nests, and when they fly off to create a new colony, the queens bring fungus spores to seed the crops that will support her new home. Workers will fertilize their "garden" with feces, and then eat the mushrooms that sprout up. Speaking of food, forty-three species of termites are eaten around the world, providing a source of protein and medicinal elements.

 

Eastern Subterranean Termites, or Reticulitermes flavipes, are the most common type found in North Carolina and other southern states. These termites typically have smaller colonies but can still have a significant impact on your home and the local environment. A sure sign of this pest is the presence of mud-tubes running along the foundations of a house.

These relatives have a different look, as well. The Formosan have an oval-shaped head and a longer body with two short pincers. The Eastern Subterranean are longer, and have a squarer shaped head, and have long, smooth mandibles. 

 

Both of the species pose a severe threat to the structural integrity and overall value of your home, office, or commercial property. These bugs are perpetually hungry and are non-stop eating machines. Most homeowner’s insurance policies don't cover termite treatment or damage, so it's best to call in the professionals to prevent an infestation or repair your property. 

 

At Ease Pest Solutions is here to help. We use only the most effective termite control solutions available, and we are committed to your satisfaction. Our technicians have the experience to deal with this scourge, and we take pride in getting the job done right the first time. Call us out for an inspection should you suspect there is an issue. We will do our best to get your termite problems solved once and for all, without us having to come back out. Our track record and reputation speak for itself.