Subterranean
termites, the most common kind of
termite found in the U.S., live in the
soil. They can live just below the
surface to as much as 12 feet down.
Foraging territories may extend several
hundred feet from the colony.
Subterranean termites cause more damage
each year than all combined natural
disasters; fires, earthquakes and
storms. They cause nearly one billion
dollars a year in structural damage.
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Swarmer termites are usually the first
visual indication that there are
termites present. Before the swarmers
take flight, environmental conditions
must be just right. Environmental
conditions are most favorable on warm,
sunny, humid days. Other contributing
factors include moisture levels inside
and outside the colony, light
conditions, and the barometric pressure.
These conditions often occur on days
after rain showers.
After a short flight, the wings break
off and males and females pair off to
establish a new colony. A sure sign that
termites have swarmed is a pile of
hundreds of these broken-off wings
within a small area.
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Since swarmer termites are so
defenseless at this stage of their lives
(after their wings break off), many
couples do not survive due to natural
death or death by natural enemies. Pairs
that do survive end up making their own
cells where they mate and lay eggs. This
is how a colony is started, but it is
important not to overemphasize the
importance of the queen and king. They
are the founders of a colony, but it is
actually the supplementary reproductives
that are responsible for the production
of the majority of the eggs. For
example, out of a colony of one million
individuals, the queen may be
responsible for 10,000 of the eggs. The
supplementary reproductive termites are
responsible for the remaining eggs.
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Specific environmental conditions are
needed for termites to survive. The key
to these specific environmental
conditions is moisture. Why, you may or
may not be wondering, is moisture so
important to these insects? Because all
termite castes except swarmers are
soft-bodied insects, they lose water
rapidly upon exposure to dry air.
Therefore, it is critical that a
moisture source be present at all times
for termites. To ensure this, they
create "mud tubes" when they pass over
exposed areas. Not only do these tubes
provide a source of moisture, they also
work to conceal the termites and protect
them from their enemies-- namely ants.
Termites will always maintain contact
with soil unless there is a constant
aboveground source of moisture.
Moisture also plays another role in the
life of termites. Since the conditions
in which termites nest are warm and
moist, microorganisms are also
encouraged to occupy this space,
particularly fungi. Interdependence is
created because the fungi provide a rich
source of protein and vitamins that are
essential to the existence of termites.
In turn, fecal matter accumulation from
termites helps to promote the growth of
the fungi. In temperate zones, as the
temperature starts to decline, the
termites will burrow into the ground
until they find conditions which are
suitable to their temperature and
humidity requirements. In the spring,
colonies respond to changes in
temperature and moisture and resume
their positions near soil surfaces.
Another factor affecting suitable
termite living conditions is the type of
soil they flourish in. Subterranean
termites generally prefer sandy soil
over clay soil.
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Believe it or not, different species of
termites have different appetites for
different woods. The eastern
subterranean termite prefers loblolly
pine while the Formosan termite prefers
sugar maple. Condition of wood is
another factor that affects the
termites' taste. Decayed wood is much
more appetizing than sound wood.
Termites increase the moisture content
of wood to encourage its decay.
The major species of subterranean
termites in the U.S. consumes wood at
the rate of 2 to 3 percent of their body
weight each day. At this rate, it would
take the average eastern termite colony
approximately 118 days to consume a
one-foot length of 2x4 pine while an
average Formosan colony could accomplish
the same task in 19 days.
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Because termites are social insects,
they need forms of communication so they
can live and function together as a
colony.
The most basic communication means in
termite colonies is pheromone (chemical)
communication. Each colony develops its
own specific odor making it possible for
any intruder, be it a termite from
another termite colony, an ant, or some
other natural enemy, to be instantly
recognized as foreign as soon as it
enters the colony. Alarm pheromones are
triggered by the colony, which tell the
soldiers to attack and kill the
intruder. To further keep this intruder
out of the colony, they will wall
him/her off with fecal matter.
Another means of communication is sound.
Workers and soldiers rapidly bang their
heads against galleries or mud tubes as
a warning of colony disturbance. Other
termites of the colony will hear this
and pick it up. This activity works much
like the alarm pheromones to get the
colony moving.
Trophallaxis is the primary means of
communication involving mutual exchange
of nutrients and the transfer of food
between colony members. By this method,
termites exchange food from both their
mouth and hindgut. Trophallaxis permits
the efficient use of chemicals within a
colony, distributes chemicals involved
in caste regulation, enhances
recognition of colony members, and
transfers cellulose-digesting protozoans.
When termites go through molting, they
lose the protozoa they need for
digesting wood along with all of their
hindgut contents. Since they need the
protozoa to continue living through
digestion of cellulose-based materials,
they must feed from the hindgut of other
members of the colony. In this way, they
get a new supply of protozoa.
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The Eco Systems Advantage
Advanced Technology
In the last 10 years there has been great improvements in the materials being released to the pest control industry. These materials rival their earlier counterparts in their ability to control pest without the annoying odor or high toxicity . There has been many changes in the way companies are treating pest these days. Eco Systems is in the forefront of these changes, with the introduction of baits and new low toxicity materials, pest control does not have to be an unpleasant experience it was in years past.
Problem Pests
Every year in Massachusetts termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and other wood boring insects destroy thousand of homes. Other pest can also lead to major problems. Eco Systems pest control offers a variety of pest control options, which allow you to protect your investment without depleting your savings.
From our one time guaranteed service to one of our service plans Eco Systems is the company to call.
One Time Service
Your satisfaction is important to us, if any of our services fail to keep your home free of the pests we serviced your home for, we’ll re-service it for free! Guarantees for one time services are based on the pest treated. The length of guarantee is based on the specific pest treated. Ask an Eco Systems representative what the guarantee is at the time you set up the service.
Residential Service Plans
We provide various types of service plans to fit all types of needs. From monthly to annually. All performed by trained technicians using the least amount of materials in the most strategic locations.
A typical service plan covers carpenter ants, spiders, mice, rats, centipedes, crickets, roaches, earwigs, sow bugs, silverfish, fleas, and pantry pests.
If you have a problem with a pest that is not covered under the service plan, such as birds, termites and squirrels. Eco Systems will provide the service with a discount from our normal pricing schedule.
