| Termites |
Termites are an Order of Insect that
have existed for millions of Years. Termites although
commonly called “White Ants” are
more closely related to cockroaches and are not related
to Ants. |
 |
Both termites and cockroaches have been
among the longest surviving animals in the world and,
obviously, can and will adapt
to changing environments. Termites, like Ants are social
insects and live in Colonies. |
Social Insects always work
and operate for the good of the colony and are willing
to be sacrificed for the colony’s survival. The
Prime Source of food for Termites is Cellulose,
which is predominantly found in Timber. Termites can
consume dried, rotting or living trees. Insurance Companies
do not provide insurance against termite infestation,
because of the frequency, cost and
“presently unreliable” termite control available.
The cost of maintaining the protection of a building
against Termite attack on an annual basis is equivalent
to the cost of insuring the building against all other
damage that may occur, other than theft.With the change
over to less durable chemicals in 1999, the incidence
of termite infestation and damage is expected to increase
in line with that experienced in the USA, which banned
the organochlorines: Chlordane in 1988.
Termites become a problem when they damage structural
timber and other materials in structures. Damage may
extend to
household furniture, paper products, many synthetic
materials and food items. Each year hundreds of thousands
of structures,
worldwide, (bridges, dams, decks, homes, retaining walls,
roads, utility poles, and underground cables
and pipes) require
treatment for the management of termites. Proper design
of a building and building practices, installation of
termite
management systems at the time of construction and ongoing
regular inspections for termite activity can greatly
reduce the risk of termite damage to structures. |
Termite Location
Map |
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|
| The Termite
Colony and Castes |
All the known species of termites
form and live in Colonies. The colony comprises hundred,
to thousands to millions of
individuals. The mutual co-operation, which is the basis
of their society, neutralises the weakness and defenceless-ness
of most of the “individuals” in the colony.
It also enhances the speed, scope and efficiency of the
Termite activities and hence
immeasurably increases their “destructive Powers”. |
The mutual co-operation between
the various members of the colony is based on a division
of labour and the existence of
physically distinct types - the Castes,
each is specialised to perform certain functions for the
good of the community as a whole.
The most important feature of this division of labour
is the restriction of the function of reproduction to
a few individuals —
often to a single pair – and the sterility
of a great majority of the member of the colony. |
| |
Each
termite colony contains:-
|
| 1)
Workers |
Comprise 90% of the colony
Work 24 hours a day, without resting. |
|
|
Both sexes
Wingless
Sterile
Blind
Have round, pale coloured heads
Soft pigmented bodies
Build nest and galleries
Tend the eggs and the young
Scavengers
Gathers food.. they alone are responsible for all damages
to timbers
Feeds those of the other caste which cannot feed themselves
Life expectancy is 4- 5 years |
| 2) Soldiers
|
Both sexes,
Wingless
Sterile
Blind
With big head and mandibles
Cannot feed themselves
Defend, chiefly against Ants
Life expectancy is 4- 5 years |
|
| 3) Alates
|
|
Potential new Kings and
Queens of future colonies
Winged
Well developed compound eyes
No duty in the colony
Cannot feed themselves |
| 4) King
|
|
Wingless
Cannot feed himself
Companion to the queen |
|
| 5) Queen |
Specialised egg laying machine, averaging
2,000 to 3,000 eggs per day
Determines the growth and development of the entire
colony
Cannot feed herself
Live expectancy- 30 years |
|
| 6) Neoteinic
reproductives |
| Enable a colony to continue
and to flourish when the King or Queen has died, either
of old age or as a result of an accident. |
| |
| What Termites
will and can do:- |
| 1 |
Will and have
to EAT |
| 2 |
Work 24 hours a day |
| 3 |
Will forage up to 150 meters
from the nest |
| 4 |
Will build mud
galleries to maintain humidity
They need moisture to survive and will die if exposed
to sunlight or open air. Their tunnels protect them from
the elements.
Workers have thin cuticles and are the most numerous caste
of the colony. Because of their thin cuticles, workers,
soldiers and the queen are very susceptible to desiccation
(death by excessive loss of moisture). So the humidity
of the nest is maintained at 90 to 95 percent. To protect
them against light, desiccation and predators, when termites
are forced to cross a structure they build Termite Mud
Tubes or Galleries. |
| 5 |
Can "go through"
-PVC
-Silicons
-Copper
-Aluminum
-Lead |
| Termite Entry
into Buildings |
Nearly all termite damage of
buildings is caused by Subterranean Termites. Termites,
even though blind, will find their way into
the buildings without being detected and they will find
the cellulose in timbers. |
| |
| HOW? |
| Ants will find |
sugar |
| Animals will find |
water |
| Bees will find |
flowers |
| Sharks will find |
blood |
| |
| Termites will find |
"WOOD" |
|
| Even
if they have to go through PVC, Aluminum, Lead or Copper
|
Typically, 80% of termite attacks
originate from termites gaining entry at the perimeter
of the building, at the first course of
brick or joint. Other entry points include pipe penetrations
and other joints. |
The Termimesh
System has been developed to protect all these entry points
by a patented, no
chemicals, no poison, dedicated engineered physical barrier
that will last the life of the building. |
