In the insect kingdom, there are many ways for insects to communicate with one another. These insects you sights, smells, sensations and even vibrations to communicate to one another. Crickets for example rub their legs together to make an audible sound as a meeting call. Cicadas also use audible sounds to communicate with one another. But do termites make noise? Termites communicate with one another in a variety of ways, one of which is audible. Many people describe it as a rustling sound coming from within their walls.
One method of communication that termites use is a form of sound. Termites are very susceptible to drying out in the outside environment. For this reason, they must stay underground or build to a network of tubes above ground to maintain the humidity of the air. So when they need to communicate, the termite will bang his head against the side of the tubes creating a vibration that other termites can pick up. This vibration is heard as a rustling sound by us.
TERMITE COMMUNICATION
When termites are threatened, they will bang their heads on the sides of the walls of the colony. This creates vibrations that other termites can sense. Termites can’t hear per se, but they can feel these vibrations. This calls the soldier termites into action. The soldiers termites sole purpose is to protect the colony. They are equipped with a large heads often with powerful mandibles. They will go to wherever they are being attacked and protect the colony. Contact your Oklahoma exterminator for help.
Termites also use their sense of smell to communicate with one another. They have a special gland on their bodies that releases a pheromone that other termites can sense. When a worker termite goes to forage for food, it will leave a trail of pheromones. When it finds a source of food, it will go back to the colony with some of this food. Other workers will follow the pheromone trail, leaving more pheromones, and strengthening the trail. This will cause more and more workers to go and harvest the food.
LIFECYCLE
Termites are a social insect. They live in large colonies, with a distinct division of labor. What colony is ready to duplicate itself, it will produce reproductives. These reproductives are both male and female, and are unique from the other termites in that they have wings. In the late spring and early summer, the “swarmers” will leave the nest, and group into large swarms of other reproductive’s from other colonies. Here they will search for a mate. When they find one they will mate and start a new colony.
Initially, they will land and try to find an adequate place to start a nest. Once they do, they land, lose their wings and start digging into the ground building their nest. The queen will begin laying eggs in the royal chamber as the male tends to the eggs and forages for food. The first eggs that hatch produce workers. So once the nymphs become adults, they will take over the duties of the workers and the king will no longer be needed. He will die off. A good Oklahoma pest control company has more information.
TERMITES VS ANTS
Termites are not the only wood boring insects. Carpenter ants also bore through wood. But these two insects couldn’t be more different. Termites consume the cellulose in wood. Carpenter ants bore through wood in order to create nests. They do not consume wood. If you were to open up the nest you would find that termites are much more messy. Soil, sawdust and refuse are all found in the galleys of a termite nest. Carpenter ants are meticulously clean.
Ants and termites are natural enemies. Ants feed upon termites, and often attack their colonies. What an army of ants attacks a termite colony, they break through the mud tubes. Workers begin banging their heads against the walls and fleeing. The soldiers come to life. They will go down the tubes to the location of the attack. Once they get there, their large heads will block the path of the oncoming ants, and begin to fight them. The ants will overtake the soldier termite, but not before he’s bought enough time for workers to seal off the tube behind it. T
SIGNS OF TERMITES
There are many signs of termite infestations. The rustling sound heard in many homes can be a sign of either carpenter ant or termite infestation. Wood tubes built up the side of brick walls or another indication. Small holes on the side of wood posts can also tip someone off. These holes are built by termites to eject waste from their nests.
In the late spring or early summer, Swarmers can also tip someone off to a termite infestation. Active swarmers will get caught inside the house and die in windowsills. So you may find dead termites or possibly wings from termites in your windowsills. If this happens, you probably have an infestation in your home. It’s time to call a Tulsa exterminator for an inspection.
GETTING RID OF TERMITES
If you’ve seen any of the above signs of termite activity, it’s time to call in a professional Oklahoma pest control company. Dealing with her manifestations it’s a complicated job and requires an experienced professional. Here at Terminix pest control, we can inspect your home for termites and and give you all the options to keep your house safe from these pests. TermMax pest control service the greater Tulsa area including Owasso, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Sand Springs, Claremore, Coweta, Catoosa, Sapulpa, Pratville, Berryhill and much more. Call today for an estimate. We are here to help!
