Termites are one of the most destructive pests in Malaysia. They can cause serious structural damage to your home, and those costs can add up quickly. Termites eat wood-based building materials such as plywood, siding, drywall, insulation, and even furniture.
Understanding termite behavior will help you better protect your property from these critters. Keep reading for insights into their behaviors and communication methods!
PS: Are you dealing with a severe termite infestation? If so, call in our termite experts from Zip Control Solutions! We offer affordable termite treatment in Malaysia for both residential and commercial settings, ensuring a safe and successful solution.
How Do Termites Communicate?
Humans communicate by talking. We share our thoughts, opinions, and stories with each other, and they can be shared across one another verbally. However, when it comes to termites, communication tends to be a bit different.
Termites communicate through pheromones, chemicals that are invisible to humans but which provide information on their surroundings.
Termite colonies release these chemical signals for many reasons: when danger is near (such as an insecticide application), when it’s time to feed, when they’ve found a new source of food, to mark their territory, or when the colony is moving.
On the other hand, soldier termites can communicate to other soldiers by releasing vibrations into the surroundings. They will usually release these vibrations when a threat is near, or they may release them to warn other soldiers of the danger.
Termites and Their Way of Surviving
Depending on the kind of termite, there are different ways termites try to survive. Subterranean termites often bury themselves under ground level to stay safe from predators. On the other hand, drywood termites will be more exposed and may live in trees, furniture, or houses.
Both of these types of termites feed on one thing and one thing alone; cellulose. Cellulose is a polysaccharide that is found in wood. It’s the only thing they eat, and it provides all of the energy they need to survive.
Termites have specific bacteria in their gut that can only digest wooden materials, which is why you can often see them in logs, stumps, and trees. Another thing that termites need to survive is a constant source of water. Termites cannot retain moisture, so they have to be surrounded by it regularly.
Things That Termites Hate
There are natural termite repellents you can use in your home. These repellents are known to be things termites hate and will stay away if it’s in your home.
One of these things is cedarwood. Cedarwood is a natural insect repellent that will deter termites, so it’s a good idea to store any wood or furniture made of cedar.
Another thing is peppermint oil, which has been known to repel ants and other pests as well. You can make your own spray by mixing some water with peppermint essential oils in small quantities. If you have pets like cats and dogs then be careful because they don’t tolerate the smell very well!
Lastly, plants like catnip and silver vine are also considered to be repellents for termites.
What Attracts Termites to a Property?
Termites are attracted to things that produce organic matter and cellulose. They’ll often be drawn in by anything with these two qualities, so it’s important to know what attracts them!
Some of the most common things termites will come for include a family pet, mulch or wood chips on your lawn, rotting logs nearby, piles of leaves near where you live, and wooden furniture inside the house.
How Can Termites Be Stopped?
Termites can only be stopped if they are detected early on and exterminated. One way you can kill these creatures is by using a liquid insecticide that is sprayed on infested items around the yard.
Termites can be stopped with prevention as well, such as by keeping your home free of wood debris and dampness, which will help to discourage them from coming near.
There are also products you can use in your house to keep termites away, like termiticides or repellents. These come in various forms, including sprays, baits, granular, cardboard tubes, and more!
Call in a professional to assist you so you can make sure termites in your property are effectively eliminated.
In a Nutshell
The importance of knowing how termites behave and communicate cannot be overstated. Termites are an invasive species that can cause extensive damage to your home or business, not only from their destructive eating habits but also their ability to wreck an entire place in such as short time.
Call our team today for more information about our termite control services and how we help protect homes and businesses from infestations by providing effective solutions like baiting systems, liquid treatments, barriers, and other methods designed with safety in mind; as well as effectiveness at eliminating pesky invaders!
