1) Termites navigate without light using touch and smell. Worker termites are blind but use antennae to feel their way around and navigate using pheromones.
2) Termite eyes depend on their role - workers are blind but reproductives have compound eyes to detect light intensity and be attracted to windows or lights during swarming.
3) Identification of termite species can be determined by structures on their heads like the fontanelle and ocelli.
This document provides information about termite anatomy and biology. It discusses how termites navigate without vision using antennae to feel their way and detect smells. It describes the different castes and which have eyes. The document outlines the roles of the mouthparts in chewing wood, exchanging fluids between termites, and building tunnels. It discusses the thorax and how wings and legs are used differently between castes. The high-level purpose is to educate on termite identification and biology for pest control professionals.
Ants live in highly organized colonies and display an advanced form of social organization and division of labor. Their colonies can reach populations of over a million ants who work cooperatively to survive. Ants communicate chemically through pheromones and tactilely to coordinate their activities. Different species of ants have different lifestyles and roles within their colonies, from leaf-cutters that grow fungus to harvesters that store seeds. Their social behaviors have been finely tuned through evolution to allow their societies to thrive.
This article gives you a picture of what you deal with at your home when you are dealing with termites and various interesting facts that you should know about these silent destroyers.
Red imported fire ants are an invasive ant species that originated in South America but have now spread throughout the southern United States and Puerto Rico, where they pose problems for humans, agriculture, and native wildlife. They can be identified by their reddish-brown color and painful sting, as each ant has a venomous stinger at the end of its abdomen. Controlling the spread of red imported fire ants is important as their mounds can damage equipment and infestations can pose health risks for those allergic to their venom.
SPIDERS -DIDACTIC MATERIALS ON BIOLOGY LESSONSe-twinning
Spiders are predators that feed on insects and small animals. While some spiders are poisonous, only a few species are actually harmful to humans. Spiders have different hunting methods - tarantulas weave silk fibers to catch prey, while others are good at jumping or reacting quickly. Venomous spiders inject venom to paralyze or begin digesting their prey, though not all spider venom is dangerous to humans. Exotic and venomous spiders tend to have more complex webs that help protect them and aid survival.
Ants are eusocial insects of the family
Formicidae and, along with the related
wasps and bees, belong to the order
Hymenoptera. Ants appear in the
fossil record across the globe in
considerable diversity during the
latest Early Cretaceous and Late
Cretaceous, suggesting an earlier
origin.
The document discusses various characteristics of snakes, including that pit vipers have loreal pits that detect heat from prey and that snakes smell with their tongue and Jacobson's organ. It provides details on venomous snakes, describing that pit vipers, copperheads, rattlesnakes, and others are hemotoxic while cobras, coral snakes, and others are neurotoxic. It also discusses snake hunting methods like constriction and venom injection through hollow fangs.
ANTS One & Two Node 1 Hr Br 2 Tech.doc.pptxPestCEUs
This document provides information about common ant species found in structures and outdoors. It describes key identifying features of 14 ant species including carpenter ants, Argentine ants, odorous house ants, cornfield ants, velvety tree ants, pavement ants, pharaoh ants, thief ants, red imported fire ants, southern fire ants, and general control strategies. Specifically for carpenter ant, pharaoh ant and odorous house ant control, it outlines methods for locating nests, using baits and sanitation to control colonies, and preventing further infestations.
This document provides information about termite anatomy and biology. It discusses how termites navigate without vision using antennae to feel their way and detect smells. It describes the different castes and which have eyes. The document outlines the roles of the mouthparts in chewing wood, exchanging fluids between termites, and building tunnels. It discusses the thorax and how wings and legs are used differently between castes. The high-level purpose is to educate on termite identification and biology for pest control professionals.
Ants live in highly organized colonies and display an advanced form of social organization and division of labor. Their colonies can reach populations of over a million ants who work cooperatively to survive. Ants communicate chemically through pheromones and tactilely to coordinate their activities. Different species of ants have different lifestyles and roles within their colonies, from leaf-cutters that grow fungus to harvesters that store seeds. Their social behaviors have been finely tuned through evolution to allow their societies to thrive.
This article gives you a picture of what you deal with at your home when you are dealing with termites and various interesting facts that you should know about these silent destroyers.
Red imported fire ants are an invasive ant species that originated in South America but have now spread throughout the southern United States and Puerto Rico, where they pose problems for humans, agriculture, and native wildlife. They can be identified by their reddish-brown color and painful sting, as each ant has a venomous stinger at the end of its abdomen. Controlling the spread of red imported fire ants is important as their mounds can damage equipment and infestations can pose health risks for those allergic to their venom.
SPIDERS -DIDACTIC MATERIALS ON BIOLOGY LESSONSe-twinning
Spiders are predators that feed on insects and small animals. While some spiders are poisonous, only a few species are actually harmful to humans. Spiders have different hunting methods - tarantulas weave silk fibers to catch prey, while others are good at jumping or reacting quickly. Venomous spiders inject venom to paralyze or begin digesting their prey, though not all spider venom is dangerous to humans. Exotic and venomous spiders tend to have more complex webs that help protect them and aid survival.
Ants are eusocial insects of the family
Formicidae and, along with the related
wasps and bees, belong to the order
Hymenoptera. Ants appear in the
fossil record across the globe in
considerable diversity during the
latest Early Cretaceous and Late
Cretaceous, suggesting an earlier
origin.
The document discusses various characteristics of snakes, including that pit vipers have loreal pits that detect heat from prey and that snakes smell with their tongue and Jacobson's organ. It provides details on venomous snakes, describing that pit vipers, copperheads, rattlesnakes, and others are hemotoxic while cobras, coral snakes, and others are neurotoxic. It also discusses snake hunting methods like constriction and venom injection through hollow fangs.
ANTS One & Two Node 1 Hr Br 2 Tech.doc.pptxPestCEUs
This document provides information about common ant species found in structures and outdoors. It describes key identifying features of 14 ant species including carpenter ants, Argentine ants, odorous house ants, cornfield ants, velvety tree ants, pavement ants, pharaoh ants, thief ants, red imported fire ants, southern fire ants, and general control strategies. Specifically for carpenter ant, pharaoh ant and odorous house ant control, it outlines methods for locating nests, using baits and sanitation to control colonies, and preventing further infestations.
This document discusses bio-communication in insects. It begins by defining communication and describing how insects communicate for essential social interactions. It then discusses different types of communication in insects, including visual, chemical, tactile, and acoustic communication. The document provides examples for each type, such as fireflies using bioluminescence and moths using pheromones. It also covers camouflage techniques, mimicry, alarm signals, and the use of pheromones for functions like trail marking, aggregation, and defense.
Sydney's Best Pest Control are the leaders in pest management services in Sydney and surrounding suburbs. If you have a pest issue that you need handled, the team will be more than happy to assist.
Course INSECTS and their Relatives (1).pptxNanetteLaunius
This document provides information about common household pests, including cockroaches. It describes the key characteristics of cockroaches, such as their segmented bodies, molting lifecycles, and nocturnal habits. Two common household cockroach species are discussed in detail: the German cockroach and the brown-banded cockroach. The German cockroach carries its egg case until hatching and prefers warm, moist areas near food, while the brown-banded cockroach glues its egg case to surfaces and is the smallest common household cockroach. Cockroaches can spread diseases and allergens if not properly controlled.
This document provides information about common household pests, including cockroaches. It describes the key characteristics of cockroaches, such as their segmented bodies, molting lifecycles, and nocturnal habits. Two common household cockroach species are discussed in detail: the German cockroach and the brown-banded cockroach. The German cockroach carries its egg case until hatching and prefers warm, moist areas near food. The brown-banded cockroach glues its egg case to surfaces and is the smallest common household cockroach.
This document provides information about insects and their relatives. It discusses the characteristics of arthropods and the distinguishing features of insects, crustaceans, arachnids, diplopods, and chilopods. The document then describes the life cycles of insects, including egg, nymph/larva, pupa, and adult stages. It explains the differences between simple and complete metamorphosis. Specific details are given about ants, their social structure and development, as well as descriptions of common ant species like carpenter ants. The document concludes with general guidelines for ant control and specialized tips for carpenter ant control.
This document provides information on insects and their relatives, including characteristics of arthropods and different classes within that group. It then discusses insect growth and development, including the differences between simple and complete metamorphosis. Specific information is given on ants, including common household pest ants like carpenter ants and pharaoh ants. General ant and pest control methods are outlined. Common household pest insects like cockroaches are described, including the german and brown-banded cockroach.
Course INSECTS AND INSECT Relatives.docx.pptxPestCEUs
This document provides information about insects and common household pests. It describes the characteristics of insects and other arthropods like crustaceans and arachnids. It then discusses insect growth and development, including the differences between simple and complete metamorphosis. Specific information is given about ants, including common indoor ant species. The document concludes with descriptions of two common cockroach pests - the German cockroach and brown-banded cockroach - covering their identifying features, life cycles, and habitats.
Ants are social insects that live in colonies with specialized roles. They have a narrow waist and elbowed antennae. Most ants have one node at the petiole, while some have two nodes. Common one-node ants include carpenter, Argentine, odorous house, velvety tree, white-footed, ghost, and cornfield ants. Common two-node ants include pavement, pharaoh, red imported fire, southern fire, thief, and bigheaded ants. Effective ant control requires locating the nest or foraging trails and using baits, dusts, or residual sprays targeting the colony. Control of carpenter ants and pharaoh ants especially requires finding and treating nests or focusing on
Ants are social insects that live in colonies with different types of individuals specialized for different tasks. Most ants are wingless workers that forage, rear young, and defend the colony. Ants can be identified by their narrow waist and elbowed antennae. Determining if ants have one node or two nodes is the first step in identification. Common one-node ant species include carpenter, Argentine, odorous house, velvety tree, white-footed, ghost, and cornfield ants. Common two-node species include pavement, pharaoh, red imported fire, southern fire, thief, and bigheaded ants. Effective ant control requires locating nests, using baits, sealing entry points, and improving
Ants have either one or two nodes on their petiole, which is the first step in identifying ant species. Common one-node ants include carpenter, Argentine, odorous house, velvety tree, cornfield ants. Common two-node ants are pavement, pharaoh, red imported fire, southern fire, thief, bigheaded ants. Effective control of carpenter ants requires locating the nest within wood and treating it. Pharaoh ant control is achieved through baiting along foraging trails since the nest is difficult to find. Sanitation is important for controlling many ant species.
This document provides information about insects and their relatives. It discusses the different types of metamorphosis insects undergo (simple and complete), and covers specific types of insects like ants and cockroaches. For ant control, it emphasizes sanitation and locating nests. For carpenter ants, it describes finding and treating nests within wood. Pharaoh ant control requires using baits to get ants to return to multiple locations within structures.
This document discusses insects and their relatives, including different types of metamorphosis in insects. It focuses on ants, describing several common ant species like carpenter ants, harvester ants, and pharaoh ants. It provides details on their identification, habitats, and control methods. General approaches to ant control include sanitation, perimeter treatments, and locating and treating nests.
Wood-boring beetles are a major cause of damage to wood structures in homes. There are several types of wood-boring beetles that infest homes, including lyctid powderpost beetles, anobiid powderpost beetles, and bostrichid powderpost beetles. These beetles go through life cycles where the larvae bore into and feed on wood, while the adult beetles emerge through small exit holes, often leaving a powdery wood dust. The type of wood, its moisture level, and environmental conditions affect the severity of damage caused by each beetle species. Control methods include managing wood moisture, using surface treatments on wood, and insecticide applications if an active infestation is detected
COURSE Sources and Causes of Conducive Conditions (1).pptxNanetteLaunius
This document discusses sources of moisture that can lead to structural damage if ignored, including excessive watering of plants near structures, leaky plumbing, and poor drainage. It also identifies areas where wood contacts soil as risks for termite and fungus infestation. The inspection process is outlined, including exterior examination of the structure and surrounding soil, interior inspection with a focus on plumbing fixtures and appliances, attic inspection, and crawl space inspection with attention to areas under porches, patios, and plumbing vent locations. Thorough inspection of all accessible areas as well as documentation of any inaccessible areas is emphasized.
This document provides information on integrated pest management (IPM) techniques and strategies. It discusses the basics of IPM, including monitoring pest activity and only applying pesticides when necessary. It promotes more precise applications like crack and crevice treatments over broadcast applications. It also discusses the use of dusts, baits, and vacuuming in IPM plans. The document outlines how to identify and address conditions that contribute to pest infestations. It emphasizes the importance of communication and assigning responsibilities between pest control technicians and customers.
Course Roof Rats What You Need To Know.pptxNanetteLaunius
Roof rats are medium-sized rodents that often live near humans. They can enter homes through small openings and like to nest in attics and high places. Roof rats can carry diseases like hantavirus and typhus that can infect humans. Signs of a roof rat infestation include droppings, gnawing damage, grease marks, and nesting materials in attics or on roofing. Proper inspections look for these signs and try to identify food sources and entry points to best target control methods.
This document discusses various insect pests that can infest stored food products. It describes the feeding habits and life cycles of internal feeders like granary and rice weevils that lay eggs inside grain kernels, external feeders like drugstore beetles that feed outside grains, and scavengers like flour beetles that feed on damaged kernels. It provides identifying details of several common pests found in homes like Indian meal moths, cigarette beetles, and Mediterranean flour moths. It concludes with control recommendations to remove and destroy infested materials, thoroughly clean, and apply residual pesticides in cracks and crevices.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is neither a new approach nor is it practiced by only a limited number of companies. It predates recorded history and is practiced universally. IPM differs from conventional pest control by considering threshold levels, applying two or more control methods, and taking a truly integrated approach considering all pests. The key steps in IPM are inspection, identification, establishing threshold levels, employing two or more control measures including sanitation, mechanical, cultural, biological and chemical methods, and evaluating effectiveness through follow-up inspections.
Carpet beetles and clothes moths are fabric pests that can cause damage to materials containing animal proteins like wool and fur. Carpet beetles lay eggs near food sources and the larvae then feed on materials like wool carpeting or pet hair. The adult carpet beetles fly and feed on pollen. Clothes moths also lay eggs on fabrics and the larvae then feed, with the webbing clothes moth creating temporary tunnels and the casemaking moth encasing itself. Both go through molting stages before pupating. Treatment involves vacuuming, applying residual pesticides, and freezing or heating infested items to kill all life stages of the pests.
Complete Green and Organic Pest Control (1).pptxNanetteLaunius
This document discusses green, organic, and integrated pest management (IPM). It defines green and organic pest control, noting that green does not have a set standard and organic refers specifically to using natural/low-risk pesticides. IPM is described as using multiple control techniques with lower environmental impact than pesticides alone. The 5 steps of IPM are outlined as inspecting/monitoring, assessing the problem, setting tolerance thresholds, implementing control plans starting with non-chemical methods, and evaluating success. Effective pest control plans involve communication between all parties, identifying pest tolerances, and only using pesticides as a last resort measure.
Complete Green and Organic Pest Control.pptxNanetteLaunius
This document discusses green, organic, and integrated pest management (IPM). It defines green and organic pest control, noting green does not have a unified standard. Organic refers to a specific process using biorational pesticides and IPM protocols. The five steps of IPM are outlined, including inspecting, determining tolerance levels, implementing non-chemical controls first before possible pesticide use, and evaluating. Non-chemical controls like exclusion and sanitation are described. Biological controls and low-impact organic pesticides that are considered biorational are discussed. Documentation and communication are important parts of any organic pest control plan.
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This document discusses bio-communication in insects. It begins by defining communication and describing how insects communicate for essential social interactions. It then discusses different types of communication in insects, including visual, chemical, tactile, and acoustic communication. The document provides examples for each type, such as fireflies using bioluminescence and moths using pheromones. It also covers camouflage techniques, mimicry, alarm signals, and the use of pheromones for functions like trail marking, aggregation, and defense.
Sydney's Best Pest Control are the leaders in pest management services in Sydney and surrounding suburbs. If you have a pest issue that you need handled, the team will be more than happy to assist.
Course INSECTS and their Relatives (1).pptxNanetteLaunius
This document provides information about common household pests, including cockroaches. It describes the key characteristics of cockroaches, such as their segmented bodies, molting lifecycles, and nocturnal habits. Two common household cockroach species are discussed in detail: the German cockroach and the brown-banded cockroach. The German cockroach carries its egg case until hatching and prefers warm, moist areas near food, while the brown-banded cockroach glues its egg case to surfaces and is the smallest common household cockroach. Cockroaches can spread diseases and allergens if not properly controlled.
This document provides information about common household pests, including cockroaches. It describes the key characteristics of cockroaches, such as their segmented bodies, molting lifecycles, and nocturnal habits. Two common household cockroach species are discussed in detail: the German cockroach and the brown-banded cockroach. The German cockroach carries its egg case until hatching and prefers warm, moist areas near food. The brown-banded cockroach glues its egg case to surfaces and is the smallest common household cockroach.
This document provides information about insects and their relatives. It discusses the characteristics of arthropods and the distinguishing features of insects, crustaceans, arachnids, diplopods, and chilopods. The document then describes the life cycles of insects, including egg, nymph/larva, pupa, and adult stages. It explains the differences between simple and complete metamorphosis. Specific details are given about ants, their social structure and development, as well as descriptions of common ant species like carpenter ants. The document concludes with general guidelines for ant control and specialized tips for carpenter ant control.
This document provides information on insects and their relatives, including characteristics of arthropods and different classes within that group. It then discusses insect growth and development, including the differences between simple and complete metamorphosis. Specific information is given on ants, including common household pest ants like carpenter ants and pharaoh ants. General ant and pest control methods are outlined. Common household pest insects like cockroaches are described, including the german and brown-banded cockroach.
Course INSECTS AND INSECT Relatives.docx.pptxPestCEUs
This document provides information about insects and common household pests. It describes the characteristics of insects and other arthropods like crustaceans and arachnids. It then discusses insect growth and development, including the differences between simple and complete metamorphosis. Specific information is given about ants, including common indoor ant species. The document concludes with descriptions of two common cockroach pests - the German cockroach and brown-banded cockroach - covering their identifying features, life cycles, and habitats.
Ants are social insects that live in colonies with specialized roles. They have a narrow waist and elbowed antennae. Most ants have one node at the petiole, while some have two nodes. Common one-node ants include carpenter, Argentine, odorous house, velvety tree, white-footed, ghost, and cornfield ants. Common two-node ants include pavement, pharaoh, red imported fire, southern fire, thief, and bigheaded ants. Effective ant control requires locating the nest or foraging trails and using baits, dusts, or residual sprays targeting the colony. Control of carpenter ants and pharaoh ants especially requires finding and treating nests or focusing on
Ants are social insects that live in colonies with different types of individuals specialized for different tasks. Most ants are wingless workers that forage, rear young, and defend the colony. Ants can be identified by their narrow waist and elbowed antennae. Determining if ants have one node or two nodes is the first step in identification. Common one-node ant species include carpenter, Argentine, odorous house, velvety tree, white-footed, ghost, and cornfield ants. Common two-node species include pavement, pharaoh, red imported fire, southern fire, thief, and bigheaded ants. Effective ant control requires locating nests, using baits, sealing entry points, and improving
Ants have either one or two nodes on their petiole, which is the first step in identifying ant species. Common one-node ants include carpenter, Argentine, odorous house, velvety tree, cornfield ants. Common two-node ants are pavement, pharaoh, red imported fire, southern fire, thief, bigheaded ants. Effective control of carpenter ants requires locating the nest within wood and treating it. Pharaoh ant control is achieved through baiting along foraging trails since the nest is difficult to find. Sanitation is important for controlling many ant species.
This document provides information about insects and their relatives. It discusses the different types of metamorphosis insects undergo (simple and complete), and covers specific types of insects like ants and cockroaches. For ant control, it emphasizes sanitation and locating nests. For carpenter ants, it describes finding and treating nests within wood. Pharaoh ant control requires using baits to get ants to return to multiple locations within structures.
This document discusses insects and their relatives, including different types of metamorphosis in insects. It focuses on ants, describing several common ant species like carpenter ants, harvester ants, and pharaoh ants. It provides details on their identification, habitats, and control methods. General approaches to ant control include sanitation, perimeter treatments, and locating and treating nests.
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Wood-boring beetles are a major cause of damage to wood structures in homes. There are several types of wood-boring beetles that infest homes, including lyctid powderpost beetles, anobiid powderpost beetles, and bostrichid powderpost beetles. These beetles go through life cycles where the larvae bore into and feed on wood, while the adult beetles emerge through small exit holes, often leaving a powdery wood dust. The type of wood, its moisture level, and environmental conditions affect the severity of damage caused by each beetle species. Control methods include managing wood moisture, using surface treatments on wood, and insecticide applications if an active infestation is detected
COURSE Sources and Causes of Conducive Conditions (1).pptxNanetteLaunius
This document discusses sources of moisture that can lead to structural damage if ignored, including excessive watering of plants near structures, leaky plumbing, and poor drainage. It also identifies areas where wood contacts soil as risks for termite and fungus infestation. The inspection process is outlined, including exterior examination of the structure and surrounding soil, interior inspection with a focus on plumbing fixtures and appliances, attic inspection, and crawl space inspection with attention to areas under porches, patios, and plumbing vent locations. Thorough inspection of all accessible areas as well as documentation of any inaccessible areas is emphasized.
This document provides information on integrated pest management (IPM) techniques and strategies. It discusses the basics of IPM, including monitoring pest activity and only applying pesticides when necessary. It promotes more precise applications like crack and crevice treatments over broadcast applications. It also discusses the use of dusts, baits, and vacuuming in IPM plans. The document outlines how to identify and address conditions that contribute to pest infestations. It emphasizes the importance of communication and assigning responsibilities between pest control technicians and customers.
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Roof rats are medium-sized rodents that often live near humans. They can enter homes through small openings and like to nest in attics and high places. Roof rats can carry diseases like hantavirus and typhus that can infect humans. Signs of a roof rat infestation include droppings, gnawing damage, grease marks, and nesting materials in attics or on roofing. Proper inspections look for these signs and try to identify food sources and entry points to best target control methods.
This document discusses various insect pests that can infest stored food products. It describes the feeding habits and life cycles of internal feeders like granary and rice weevils that lay eggs inside grain kernels, external feeders like drugstore beetles that feed outside grains, and scavengers like flour beetles that feed on damaged kernels. It provides identifying details of several common pests found in homes like Indian meal moths, cigarette beetles, and Mediterranean flour moths. It concludes with control recommendations to remove and destroy infested materials, thoroughly clean, and apply residual pesticides in cracks and crevices.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is neither a new approach nor is it practiced by only a limited number of companies. It predates recorded history and is practiced universally. IPM differs from conventional pest control by considering threshold levels, applying two or more control methods, and taking a truly integrated approach considering all pests. The key steps in IPM are inspection, identification, establishing threshold levels, employing two or more control measures including sanitation, mechanical, cultural, biological and chemical methods, and evaluating effectiveness through follow-up inspections.
Carpet beetles and clothes moths are fabric pests that can cause damage to materials containing animal proteins like wool and fur. Carpet beetles lay eggs near food sources and the larvae then feed on materials like wool carpeting or pet hair. The adult carpet beetles fly and feed on pollen. Clothes moths also lay eggs on fabrics and the larvae then feed, with the webbing clothes moth creating temporary tunnels and the casemaking moth encasing itself. Both go through molting stages before pupating. Treatment involves vacuuming, applying residual pesticides, and freezing or heating infested items to kill all life stages of the pests.
Complete Green and Organic Pest Control (1).pptxNanetteLaunius
This document discusses green, organic, and integrated pest management (IPM). It defines green and organic pest control, noting that green does not have a set standard and organic refers specifically to using natural/low-risk pesticides. IPM is described as using multiple control techniques with lower environmental impact than pesticides alone. The 5 steps of IPM are outlined as inspecting/monitoring, assessing the problem, setting tolerance thresholds, implementing control plans starting with non-chemical methods, and evaluating success. Effective pest control plans involve communication between all parties, identifying pest tolerances, and only using pesticides as a last resort measure.
Complete Green and Organic Pest Control.pptxNanetteLaunius
This document discusses green, organic, and integrated pest management (IPM). It defines green and organic pest control, noting green does not have a unified standard. Organic refers to a specific process using biorational pesticides and IPM protocols. The five steps of IPM are outlined, including inspecting, determining tolerance levels, implementing non-chemical controls first before possible pesticide use, and evaluating. Non-chemical controls like exclusion and sanitation are described. Biological controls and low-impact organic pesticides that are considered biorational are discussed. Documentation and communication are important parts of any organic pest control plan.
Bed bugs are small, reddish-brown insects that feed on human blood. They hide in tiny spaces near where humans sleep. Females lay about 200 eggs over their lifetime. It takes bed bugs 4 to 9 weeks to develop from egg to adult. Inspecting for bed bugs requires a bright light and careful examination of mattresses, bed frames, furniture and cracks in walls and floors. Vacuuming is important to remove bed bugs and eggs, along with applying insecticide to hiding places. Multiple treatments may be needed along with monitoring to fully eliminate a bed bug infestation.
Rodents like rats and mice can carry diseases that infect humans. Diseases spread by rodent fleas and urine include typhus, plague, leptospirosis, and rat bite fever. Symptoms range from fever and muscle aches to meningitis and liver failure. Rodent control is important to prevent disease transmission through sanitation and removal of infected animals and their droppings. Secondary pests like fleas and mites sometimes remain after rodents leave and bite people, so exclusion and miticide treatment are also recommended.
Commensal rodents like rats and mice can carry diseases and pose health risks to humans. They can transmit diseases indirectly through fleas and mites or directly through contact with rodent excreta and saliva. Diseases spread this way include hantavirus, which affects the lungs; leptospirosis, which can cause meningitis, liver failure, and kidney damage; and typhus, carried by fleas. To control rodents and limit disease transmission, it is important to eliminate food and shelter, use sanitation and exclusion, and consult a pest management professional when needed.
Boron is a low toxicity mineral that is effective as a wood preservative when applied as a liquid mixture or foam. It is absorbed into wood where it kills insects and prevents decay by interfering with organisms in their digestive systems. Boron treated wood is also flame retardant, helping to limit the spread of house fires. Proper mixing and application are important to ensure boron is absorbed effectively without causing damage to plants. Equipment must be thoroughly cleaned after use to prevent boron from crystallizing in hoses and tanks.
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Borates are naturally occurring compounds that are effective insecticides and fungicides. They are derived from mineral deposits and are an essential micronutrient for plants. Borates have been used for over 100 years to control pests. When borates are applied to wood, they diffuse into the wood and provide long-lasting protection against termites, wood-boring beetles, carpenter ants, and fungi by inhibiting their cellular processes. Borates provide a margin of safety for humans compared to insects due to differences in exposure levels and elimination rates.
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This document summarizes rodent biology and health concerns related to rodent infestations. It discusses the most common commensal rodent pests, rats and mice, including differences in appearance, reproduction rates, and behaviors. Key points covered include how rodents can spread diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis through their urine and feces. Fleas that feed on infected rodents can also transmit diseases like typhus and plague to humans. Effective control requires removing food sources, sealing entry points, trapping rodents, and thorough cleaning to remove allergens and prevent disease transmission.
Rodents like rats and mice can carry diseases that pose health risks to humans. They can spread hantavirus through their urine and droppings, which can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Exposure occurs through inhalation. Rodents also pose the risk of leptospirosis and rat bite fever through contact with their urine or bites/scratches. Fleas that feed on infected rodents can transmit typhus and plague to humans through their bites. Controlling rodents and thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing areas they inhabited are important to prevent disease transmission.
Course Rodent Biology, Health and Disease.pptxNanetteLaunius
This document summarizes rodent biology and health concerns related to rodent infestations. It discusses the most common commensal rodent species, including rats and mice, and their characteristics. It also outlines various diseases that can be spread from rodents to humans, such as hantavirus, leptospirosis, and rat bite fever. Secondary pests like fleas that can spread typhus and plague are also mentioned. The document stresses the importance of thorough sanitation and rodent control to prevent disease transmission when dealing with rodent infestations.
This document discusses termite treatment methods and foundations. It covers that subterranean termites live in ground colonies and enter structures through foundations, while drywood termites infest wood without ground contact. Fumigation with Vikane gas is effective for drywood termites in all areas, while subterranean termites require foundation treatments applying termiticides along the foundation. Foundation types like supported, floating and monolithic slabs can influence where subterranean termites enter structures.
This document discusses standards for integrated pest management (IPM) in rodent control. It emphasizes that the most effective long-term solutions combine exclusion methods like sealing entry points smaller than 1/2 inch with other non-poison techniques. While poisons are readily available, trapping and exclusion alone can solve many rodent problems without using pesticides. The document then provides guidance on materials and tools for exclusions, highlighting various sealants, meshes, and foams to repair different types of entry points in structures, including soffits, vents, weep screeds, and air conditioner lines. Effective exclusions require identifying and properly sealing all rodent access points.
Understanding User Needs and Satisfying ThemAggregage
https://www.productmanagementtoday.com/frs/26903918/understanding-user-needs-and-satisfying-them
We know we want to create products which our customers find to be valuable. Whether we label it as customer-centric or product-led depends on how long we've been doing product management. There are three challenges we face when doing this. The obvious challenge is figuring out what our users need; the non-obvious challenges are in creating a shared understanding of those needs and in sensing if what we're doing is meeting those needs.
In this webinar, we won't focus on the research methods for discovering user-needs. We will focus on synthesis of the needs we discover, communication and alignment tools, and how we operationalize addressing those needs.
Industry expert Scott Sehlhorst will:
• Introduce a taxonomy for user goals with real world examples
• Present the Onion Diagram, a tool for contextualizing task-level goals
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COURSE Termites An Uninvited Guests with Pictures.pptx
1. TERMITES: AN UNINVITED GUEST
Part1.
Not all of the termites in a colony have eyes. Subterranean termites live
underground- where there is no light. When they do leave their underground colonies
to forage for food that is located above ground they travel from the ground to the
house in tubes that they construct. There is no light inside these tubes. The termites
exist inside of the wood in the house in tunnels that they have carved out with their
mandibles (their jaws), and there is no light inside these tunnels. The worker spends
its entire life in the dark (if you want to apply a scientific name to "living in the dark" you can call it "cryptobiotic", which
means, literally, hidden living.
So, why have eyes? If you were to go into a cavern far enough so that there was total darkness, and stay in that cavern
for the rest of your life, you would not need eyes either. There must be some light for eyes to be able to function. So, how
do the worker termites make their way around? There are two ways in which termites are able to navigate, and those are
by their sense of touch and their sense of "smell".
First, they feel their way around - with their antennae - in much the same way a blind person might navigate with the use
of a cane. The worker termites are blind. So are the soldier termites who spend most of their time inside of the colony.
The individuals in the termite colony that do have eyes are the "reproductives". They swarm out of the colony at certain
times of the year and they are attracted to light with their compound eyes. They cannot see anything as long as they are
confined to the inside of the colony, but once they emerge into the light they are attracted to the brightest spot available.
That is why when termites swarm from a subfloor in a bedroom they are attracted to the window. It was the source of a
bright light. Termite species that may swarm in the evening, such as Dampwoods or Formosans, may be attracted to the
light on a front porch, causing tremendous anxiety for the homeowner, who may wonder whether they have a problem in
their own structure.
Many times a homeowner will call a termite control company and complain about termite infestations in their window
sills, because they see the termites in the window but in actuality they have swarmed out of the colony somewhere else in
the house and are attracted to that window which is the brightest source of light in that room. The eyes of the termite
reproductive are compound eyes that cannot see objects sharply, like we can, but they can readily detect a difference in
light intensity, such as when a cloud passes overhead and casts a shadow on their exit tube. That shadow may indicate
danger to them, and the colony immediately stops giving off swarmers.
There are some specific structures on the heads of termites that allow you to determine accurately
which kind of termite you are dealing with. These are the "fontanelle" and the "ocelli", which are
simple eyespots that may be located next to the compound eye. These are found as follows:
Dampwood termites - have neither ocelli nor fontanelle
Drywood termites - have ocelli but not a fontanelle
Subterranean termites - have both ocelli and fontanelle
So, what are we talking about here? Well, the fontanelle is simply a little spot located right in the
middle of the top of the head. It oozes out an irritating fluid when the termite is threatened, and thus
is a defensive mechanism. The ocelli are simple eyespots located just to the inside of the compound
eyes, and likely detect some shades of light and dark. Since color and size are not always consistent
characters for identifying the type of termite, it is worthwhile to have other, specific features as well.
A second means of navigation by termites is by their sense of smell, and the use of chemical odors called pheromones.
These chemicals are given off by termites as they forage for food, and are detected by other workers who can follow the
chemical trail, just like a bloodhound following the scent of a human, to the food source and back to their colony. We will
discuss this further in the next section.
2. Part 2
The Antennae
The antennae of termites look like marshmallows or beads strung on a wire. If you look at them through a high powered
lens you will see that they are covered with bristles (or hairs). This type of antenna is called "moniliform" antennae, and
means that all of the segments look the same - there is one ("mono") shape and size to each of the segments.
These antennae are very important to the termite, because several senses are located in the antennae. The sense of
touch enables the termite to feel its way around in total darkness, as it "sees" the surfaces and objects it encounters. It
also enables termites to "talk" to each other. When they meet face to face in a dark tunnel they exchange information by
touching their antennae together. Their sense of taste also is located in their antennae, and as they touch something in
their environment they can taste it. Their sense of smell is located in their antennae, and it is here that their Pheromones
become important tools for communication.
After emerging from the colony the male swarmer, for instance, locates the female swarmer by following the scent she
gives off when trying to attract a male. His antennae zig and zag around frantically until he finds her, and once he has
accomplished this task he glues his nose to her and follows her everywhere, until she at last finds a location suitable for
her to establish a new colony. So, if you snipped the antennae off of a subterranean termite worker it would not be able to
see, talk, taste, or smell. If you snipped the antennae off of a male subterranean termite swarmer he would not be able to
carry on his courtship ritual. Everywhere one of the tiny little hairs on the antenna attaches to the cuticle (that outer shell
of an arthropod) it does so at a tiny opening to the body. At this opening are sensitive nerve cells, which detect the tastes
and odors so important to the termite.
We, as pest control professionals, learn as much as we can about the anatomy and biology of the pests we deal with, and
this is one area that sets us apart from the untrained member of the public, and is the reason we have the advantage in
our ability to control those pests. We learn to recognize that the termite has moniliform antennae, while ants have
"geniculate" (elbowed) antennae, with a 90-degree bend at their middle. This feature easily separates the two kinds of
insects for our identification purpose. Since both ant and termite swarmers will shed their wings following swarming, and
since the small, black subterranean termite reproductives may be confused with some of the small black ants, knowing of
specific differences is vital for proper control.
Part 3
The Mouthparts
The mouthparts of a termite perform several important functions. The first one we think of is chewing down our house.
There have been many studies about how much wood a termite can "eat" in a day, and it really isn't very much per
termite, but remember that termites never sleep. If a termite has the assignment of enlarging a chamber in the wood or
extending a tunnel, the work will be done on a 24-hours-per-day basis. And, when you think of the fact that a percentage
of the 500,000 termites in the colony have that assignment, added together it can amount to quite a bit of damage in a
short period of time.
But termites, strangely, cannot digest the wood they "eat" (like we would digest a hamburger). The main ingredient of
wood is cellulose, and termites, like many animals, cannot digest this tough material. To accomplish this feat they have in
their gut a population of one-celled animals called protozoa, that secrete enzymes that break cellulose down into starch,
and then other enzymes that break the starch down into sugars, and that is what the termite can digest by itself - SUGAR.
They absorb the sugar through the wall of their intestinal tract and use it for their energy. Without this population of
protozoa in their gut the termites would soon starve to death.
The term for a relationship between two different organisms is "Symbiosis", and there are several kinds of symbiosis. One
is called "Parasitism", where one side benefits at the expense of the other - mosquitoes would be a good example of
parasitic symbiosis. Another is called "Mutualism", whereby both sides benefit, and this applies to the termites and their
protozoans. Actually, symbiotic protozoa have been found in some other kinds of insects as well, such as some species of
cockroaches, so it apparently works pretty well.
When the baby termite (first instar nymph) hatches from its egg its intestines are sterile - it is not born with a population of
protozoa in its gut. It soon acquires its own population, or innoculant, of protozoa, however, by licking the bubble of liquid
that oozes out the rear end of the termites that have been in the colony for awhile, a method of feeding called "proctodeal
feeding". Protozoans are present in this liquid, and the tiny nymphs now have the means for digesting their own food.
3. Our knowledge of this process is an important factor in the control of Drywood Termites. One of the primary controls we
have for these termites is fumigation. Fumigation is not particularly efficient at killing the eggs of the termites, but offers
some excellent benefits otherwise and is highly effective at killing all the workers and other members of the colony. If all
the workers are killed, the newly emerging nymphs will have no way to acquire their first dose of the protozoans, and they
die quickly as well.
Another function of the mouthparts of a termite is the "grooming" of other termites in the colony. They lick each other's
bodies clean of dirt and mold, and in the process exchange bodily secretions. Thus, if a termite has walked through a
pesticide dust and has some on its body, it will be imbibed by other termites in the grooming process, and of course will
kill those other termites in due time. One account of termite grooming that I read offered the gruesome tale of just how far
this can go. The researcher observed a termite worker grooming another worker and saw what appeared to be overly
aggressive grooming. The termite doing the grooming actually nicked through the cuticle of his companion, apparently
found the taste to his liking, and proceeded to consume the entire termite.
As technologies improve along with our increased knowledge of the termite biology and the functioning of their colony life,
we again take advantage of the termite habits themselves, in our control programs. In the process of grooming the
workers remove bits of fungi from each other, fungi which might otherwise cause illness and death in the termite. A fairly
new termite chemical is on the market, called Premise, which alters this grooming habit. The workers that have been
exposed to Premise no longer groom each other, and Nature's own control measures take place, with many of the
termites dying from natural diseases.
Another form of feeding provided to 1st instar nymphs is called "stomadeal feeding", and refers to workers regurgitating
some of their pre-digested food for the benefit - and enjoyment - of the new nymphs. The contents of the alimentary canal
of one termite are deposited into the mouth of another hungry termite, and it also is referred to as trophallaxis. In the
process sugars are passed along through the colony as well as any pesticide that happens to be in the food.
Another function of the mouthparts of the termite worker is to lick off the outside of eggs that the Queen termite has
produced, and to stack them in the cell that has been prepared for them. The workers transport the eggs just like a mother
cat transports her kittens - by picking them up in their mouth and placing them where they belong. Remember that a
termite colony in the ground is liable to be a very damp place, very conducive to the growth of molds and fungi. It is the
job of the termite worker to keep the eggs in a healthy, semi-dry state.
Another function of the mouthparts of a subterranean termite worker is the construction of the tubes or tunnels that allow
the worker termites to travel from the colony in the ground, up over a concrete foundation, and into the wooden structure
of the house without ever emerging from the darkness of the tunnel. These "tubes" are made of soil and liquid excrement.
The process is much like we would use in building a brick chimney. A mouthful of sol is placed down and a drop of liquid
from the rear end of a termite is placed on top of it (just like a bricklayer would place mortar). Then, another mouthful of
soil is placed on top of the drop of liquid. This liquid is much like a fast drying model airplane glue, only without the side
effects, and acts to stick the soil particles together. The process is repeated again and again, and behold, a tube is
formed. Termites work together to get this task done, and it is amazing how substantial a tube can be built in a very short
time.
The mouthparts of a soldier termite are modified to form a scissors-like instrument protruding from the front part of the
head, and designed to cut off the legs or antennae of an attacker or, in the case of an ant, to cut it in two. These
mouthparts are so specialized for the defense of the colony that a soldier termite cannot even use its mouthparts to feed
itself. It has to be fed by workers in the colony through trophallaxis (which we already have defined.) Some species of
termites have workers with, instead of jaws, a hollow tube. Rather than grappling with an intruder these Nasutiformes
termite soldiers are primarily tropical, but two species may occur in the southwest United States. They have large, bloated
heads with a tubular mouth, and when threatened they spray out a sticky material that entangles their enemy, with the
potential of shooting up to 1 inch possible.
Part 4
The Thorax, Wings and Legs
So much for the functions of the various parts of the head of the termite. Now, let's move on to the thorax, which is located
just behind the head. This is where most of the muscles are stored that enable an insect to run or fly. Thus, it is the place
where the legs and wings of an insect are attached.
In classifying insects into their respective ORDERS, wing structure often is used. Those of you who do crossword puzzles
4. will run across a clue that says "wing" or "wing-like structure". The puzzle is looking for the Latin word for wing, which is
"ALA" in the singular, or "ALAE" in the plural. Alar would mean wing-like, and the winged reproductive caste of termites
are often referred to as the "Alates". However, the ORDERS of insects use the Greek word for wing, which is "ptera". So,
when you read the name of the order to which a particular insect belongs you will see "ptera" in that name. Ptera is
combined with other letters that describe the wing of that insect.
For instance:
Flies belong to the Order Diptera. "Di" means two, so all members of the Order Diptera have two wings.
Bees and wasps belong to the Order Hymenoptera. "Hymen" means clear membrane, so all members of the
Order Hymenoptera have clear, membranous wings.
Beetles belong to the Order Coleoptera. "Coleo" means sheath, so all members of the Order Coleoptera have
hard, sheath-like forewings.
Butterflies and moths belong to the Order Lepidoptera. "Lepid" means scale, so all members of the Order
Lepidoptera have tiny scales on their wings, which form color patterns distinctive to each kind.
Termites belong to the Order Isoptera. "Iso" means equal, so all members of the Order Isoptera have four wings
of equal length. (This will differentiate them from bees, wasps, and ants, which have 4 wings, but the front pair of
wings is longer than the hind wings.
It is only the adult male and female termites (the swarmers) that possess wings. Termites are not strong fliers, and when
they land after a short flight they use their mouthparts and front legs to tear their wings off at a pre-stressed line at the
base, leaving only the short stubs attached to the body. They no longer need their wings, and the wings would just get in
the way during courtship, new colony establishment, and future movement within their enclosed galleries. It is the
presence of these short wing stubs that helps us identify the bug we are dealing with as a termite, and separates it from
some similar looking beetles, called Rove Beetles, that also have very short wings.
Termites, being insects, have three pairs of legs - that is, three legs attached to one side of the thorax and three legs
attached to the other side. The termite's wings are attached to the upper side of the thorax, whereas the legs are attached
to the lower side of the thorax. The muscles that cause the wings and legs to function are located within the thorax.
Part 5
The Abdomen
The third major section of an insect, the abdomen, is located directly behind the thorax. In the case of a bee, wasp, or ant
the abdomen is joined to the thorax by a thin "thread-like" structure called the "pedicel", or commonly referred to as their
waist. In the case of a termite the abdomen is broadly joined to the thorax, without the thin waist, and this provides
another easy way to differentiate an ant from a termite.
The abdomen of a termite has several important functions. The obvious one, of course, is its involvement in sexual
intercourse, which guarantees the continuance of the species. A less obvious function is the part the abdomen plays in
the building of the mud tubes that extend over the foundation walls of infested homes. In the case of Drywood Termites
the contents of the large intestine are squeezed dry, and the liquid reabsorbed through the intestine wall. The Drywood
Termites live in wood with very little moisture content, and they need to conserve every bit of moisture they possibly can in
order to survive. Thus, the Drywood Termite squeezes out a hard, dry pellet.
In the case of the subterranean termites water is added to the contents of the large intestine, and the termite squeezes
out a slurry which is fairly fast drying, and is used to cement together the particles of dirt that are used in construction of
their tubes (tunnels). Subterreanean termite workers, who are working above ground in a structure, return regularly to
their below-ground colony, not only to return food material to the colony, but also to replenish their moisture supply and to
prevent dehydration.
In the insect world we learn to "never say never", and odd-ball things show up at times that seem completely out of
character. I once had a termite operator show me some "tubing" that he had found in a wooden crate in his mother's
backyard. Termites were moving through this tubing, but the tubing was composed of Drywood Termite fecal pellets all
stuck together, and the termites that were using this convenient pathway were distinctly DRYWOOD termites. Now, these
termites are not supposed to make tubes, but in consulting with one industry expert on it his reply was "Sure, why not? If a
termite needs to get from Point A to Point B, and stay hidden in the process, they will do whatever is necessary to get
5. there."
Formosan Termites carry this to an extreme, using their body liquids mixed with chewed up
wood to create "carton", an extremely hard matrix that may fill entire wall voids, and which is
used for their living quarters.
Part 6
Castes
Now, let's take a look at the different types of individuals, or "castes", found in a subterranean termite colony. They fall
into three categories. By far the most numerous are the "WORKERS" of the colony. As the name suggests, they do all the
grunt work of the colony. They take care of the eggs that the queen produces, keeping them clean and dry and healthy.
They feed the little baby termites that hatch out of the eggs with material that they regurgitate into their mouths. These
"baby" termites that have just emerged from the eggs are in what is called the "first instar" stage. They are unable to feed
themselves and have jaws too weak to chew off wood. After a short while their "exoskeleton" starts to harden like a suit of
armor.
Human beings have what is called an "endoskeleton", or in other words a skeleton on the inside of us. We have head
bones, arm bones, leg bones, and most of us have backbones. These bones are covered with a layer of muscle that is
covered by a layer of fat (some of us are blessed with more of this layer than others are), all of which is covered with a
layer of skin so that, when you look at each other, you do not see our skeleton at all.
Insects, on the other hand, have a skeleton on the outside of their body, made up of a material called "chitin". This
skeleton is a protective covering, much like a suit of armor, that is relatively impervious to intrusion by things from the
outside. When an insect wants to grow bigger it has to lose that suit of armor somehow, being softer and pliable for a day
or two, expanding, and then forming the new exoskeleton. The termite nymph has the ability to split the suit of armor right
down the middle of its back, and then it steps out and leaves the old skeleton behind. It now has a new skeleton one size
larger! The process of getting out of its old skeleton is called molting, or "ecdysis". The stages between molts are called
"instars". A termite molts six times, so that it has seven instar stages, the seventh one being the fully developed adult,
possibly a worker, a soldier, or a reproductive.
In subterranean termites there is an adult stage called the "Worker", while in Drywood and Dampwood Termites all of the
nymphs ultimately become either Alates or Soldiers. There is no adult worker caste in these groups, and all of the workers
are simply immature nymphs.
When the immature termites reach the third instar stage they are able to survive on their own, and are therefore put to
work. Some of them serve to attend the Queen, some of them nurse the young termites, some of them feed the soldier
termites. Some of them chew through the wood, extending the excavations and thus eating away at the wooden structure
of the house. Some of them work to build the tubes that extend up over the foundation walls. All of them have a job to do.
When they reach the fifth instar stage some of them begin to be modified into soldiers or reproductives, while the rest of
them stop development and remain as workers for the rest of their lives. The average life span of a worker termite is two
years. Since the Queen continues to lay eggs all day and night for fifteen years or longer, the workers that die are
replaced quickly, and the colony grows in number.
The second member of the caste is soldier termites. They have no other function than the protection of the colony. When
the swarmers are about to fly out of the colony, or if a breech in the colony occurs, a hole being produced in the tubing
that would allow enemies in, you can observe the soldiers with their large mandibles quickly ringing the exit or opening.
They stand there in a highly protective stance, and if an ant were to intrude at that point it would merely be cut in two by
the large, scissors-like jaws of the soldier.
Now, of course, there are drawbacks to any lifestyle, and there is one job hazard that the termite soldier must contend
with. I watched an excellent nature program one time, on the life of termites, where a hole was created in a termite
colony's mud tubing, ants threatened to enter, and termite soldiers immediately rushed to defend. As they stood outside
the hole, gallantly waving their massive jaws and daring any ants to approach, the workers sealed up the hole behind
them, leaving 4 or 5 workers stuck outside, their predicament beginning to dawn on them.
The third type of individual found in the colony is the reproductive, or "swarmer", sometimes called the "alate" (borrowing
from the Latin word for wing - ALA). These individuals have gone through six molts of their exoskeleton and are now full-
grown adults capable of sexual reproduction. Their function is to exit from the colony, mate, and establish a new colony
separate and independent of the one that they just left. And, herein lies an interesting story.
6. These fully grown, sexually mature adult termites are produced in the colony year round. They are a result of the sixth
instar termites molting for the last time. They accumulate in the colony and are fed by the worker termites. As the time
draws near for them to exit the colony en masse they crowd around the exit tubes built by the worker termites.
What causes them finally to exit from the colony? There are three major stimuli that cause the subterranean termites to
swarm:
A sudden increase in the humidity inside of the exit tubes
The proper temperature outside of the exit tubes
The proper light intensity outside of the exit tubes
When you consider that the major swarming in the springtime is on a nice sunny morning just after a rain, you can see
that such an environment fulfills the three conditions listed above. First of all, it has just rained. This may have been a
heavy rain that has lasted several days or it may have been a light shower. At any rate, the rain has increased the
humidity inside of the exit tubes. This sends a message to the swarmers that the ground outside probably is soft and
easier to dig into than if it were dry and hard. The soft dirt increases the chances for success in excavating a pocket in the
soil, and thus increases the chances for survival of the species. Somehow, the termite swarmers know that.
Second, the proper temperature - around 70 degrees F, plus or minus a few degrees - must be present. An increase in
humidity in the exit tubes could exist because of a snow storm or because of a rainstorm followed by a severe cold snap.
Termite swarmers will die off from the heat on a hot, dry day before they can find their way back down into the ground, or
they may freeze to death rather quickly if the temperature is too low. In these cases, swarming will not occur. A nice,
gentle temperature just after a rain is most suitable to the swarming process.
Third, the proper light intensity must be present outside of the swarming tubes. This light intensity occurs on a warm
spring morning, just after a rain when the clouds clear away and the sunshine comes beaming through. When these three
conditions mesh it appears to the termite swarmers inside of the tube that the time is right for an exit from their old colony.
Remember, that it is only a small percentage of the termites in the colony that swarm at any one time. The colony
continues to live on, the workers continue to do their assigned tasks, and more swarmers mature for the following
swarming season. It is well to remember that a colony does not give off swarmers until the colony is at least three years
old. By that time there are enough termites in the colony that it can afford to lose large numbers to the swarming process.
So, out they come, flying toward the brightest light, which usually is the sun. If the colony was a well-established once
there will be hundreds of swarmers emerging. Half of these are males and half of them are females. Termites are not
strong fliers, and if they were to fly a hundred yards it would be considered a strong flight. Sometimes a prevailing wind
will blow them a little farther, and usually in the direction of the wind. When they finally land on the ground their first action
is to break off their wings. The wings are no longer needed, and might get in the way in courtship or colony development.
You might read in literature that the wings are shed as soon as the termites find a suitable place for a new colony, but I
have found termite wings on the window ledge of my car, and I certainly hope they did not set up shop near that location.
The wings have a suture near the base of the wing, much like the pre-stressed line on the statement from your
department store. You tear off the top of the statement along this line, and return it with your check. The termite tears off
its wings along this pre-stressed line too, using its mouthparts and its front legs. The wings are easily discarded, and now
the male is ready to find a female termite. The female is ready too. She lifts the end of her abdomen up high and emits a
perfume (a sex pheromone) from the tip of it to attract the male. As you recall, the male uses his antennae to smell with,
and when the male smells this delicious perfume his antennae zig-zag furiously, and he starts running in circles, each
circle getting smaller until he finally finds the source of the smell - the female termite.
At that point in time the female lowers her abdomen and the male places on antenna on each side of the female's
abdomen, and they walk off together, the male following the female who is looking for a suitable place to excavate their
nuptial chamber. This may be under an old board on the ground, alongside an old tree stump, alongside a foundation wall,
or a hundred other places where the ground is soft and the digging is easy. They then work together to excavate a hole in
the ground, by using their mandibles (jaws) to move a tiny piece of dirt at a time, until they have created a cavity large
enough for them both to fit in and to move around. Then they close the door to this chamber in the same way that the
worker termites build tubes - they stick bits of dirt together with anal secretions until they have formed a nice, snug little
nest once again, hidden away from the rest of the world and secure from their enemies.
It is at this time that the male and female termites mate. This pair lives together in the colony for years, with the male
7. inseminating the female at intervals. Over time the original Queen develops an extraordinarily expanded abdomen, as her
ovaries expand tremendously to support the huge volume of eggs she lays daily. Other queens, called "secondary"
queens, also develop, and produce small amounts of eggs themselves, but the primary queen does the bulk of it.
This entire process of swarming, pairing off, and digging their way back into the earth may take a few minutes or a couple
of hours at the most. It is during this swarming process that the termites are exposed to their enemies. Birds and lizards
pick them off, dragonflies and robber flies dine on them, and ants have a field day with them. It is also the only time that
humans usually see termites. The rest of their lives are spent in a cryptobiotic existence - hidden away in the ground or in
tunnels in the wooden structure of your house.
Photos courtesy of photographers published on Bugwood.org ITP Node
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