Introduction:
Termites belong to the order Blattodea and are highly social insects with a well-defined division of labor. A termite colony comprises three main castes: soldiers, workers, and reproducers. There are approximately 2,750 termite species, with around 10% considered harmful.
Termites play both beneficial and destructive roles in the environment. By feeding on cellulose, they help recycle nutrients from decaying trees and plants, promoting new growth. However, they become serious pests when they consume wood used by humans, such as wooden furniture, structures, and crops. They also pose a significant threat to man-made forests.
How to recognize termites
Termites are wood-eating insects that can cause significant structural damage if not identified and managed promptly. Recognizing the signs of a termite infestation is crucial for early intervention.
Identifying Termites:
- Physical Appearance: Termites are often mistaken for ants due to their similar size and shape. However, there are distinct differences:
- Body Shape: Termites have straight, uniform bodies without the narrow waist found in ants.
- Antennae: Termite antennae are straight, whereas ants have bent or elbowed antennae.
- Wings: When present, termite wings are of equal length, while ants have front wings longer than their hind wings.
- Behavior: Termites are social insects living in colonies that can number from a few thousand to millions. They construct distinctive mud tubes to maintain moisture and protect themselves as they travel between their nest and food sources.
Types of Termites
Understanding the different types of termites can help identify and manage potential infestations.
- Subterranean Termites: These termites are among the most destructive species. They live in large underground colonies and feed on wood, causing severe structural damage. Despite their smaller size compared to dampwood and drywood termites, their mature colonies can consist of hundreds of thousands of individuals.
- Formosan Termites: Known for their aggressiveness and destructive nature, Formosan termites consume cellulose found in wood and paper. Their persistence in seeking out cellulose makes them a serious threat to both buildings and plants.
- Dampwood Termites: These termites thrive in damp, cool coastal areas where moisture levels are high. They typically infest decaying wood that remains wet due to contact with soil or water leaks. Dampwood termites carve out large, open galleries within the wood where they live and feed. Their presence often indicates a moisture issue or wood decay in a structure.
- Drywood Termites: Unlike other termites, drywood termites infest dry, solid wood, including structural timber, tree limbs, utility poles, decks, fences, stored lumber, and furniture. Winged reproductive termites frequently emerge from infested wood, spreading to nearby wooden structures.
By recognizing the specific termite type and their behavior, homeowners can take appropriate measures to prevent or address infestations.
Common Signs of a Termite Infestation
Recognizing termite activity early can prevent severe damage to your home. Here are key signs to watch for:
In the Household:
- Mud Shelter Tubes: Pencil-sized tunnels made of soil and wood particles, often found on walls, foundations, and crawl spaces. These tubes provide moisture and protection for termites as they move between their nest and food source.
- Swarmers (Alive or Dead): Winged termites, also known as swarmers, emerge in large numbers to establish new colonies. Finding discarded wings near windowsills, doors, or light sources is a strong indicator of termite activity.
- Visible Termite Damage: Wood that appears hollow, blistered, or has visible grooves and tunnels beneath the surface may indicate an infestation. Tapping on affected wood may produce a hollow sound.
- Active Colonies: Some termites build nests in walls or wooden structures. If you notice unusual bulging or soft spots in walls and ceilings, it may suggest a hidden colony.
Effective Termite Control Measures
Taking preventive and remedial actions can help protect your home from termite infestations.
- Use Termite-Resistant Materials: When constructing or renovating, opt for termite-proof materials such as treated wood, metal, or concrete.
- Preconstruction Termite Control: To prevent future infestations, you can apply termite treatments to the foundation and soil before building.
- Avoid Storing Firewood Near Your Home: Firewood, wooden debris, and untreated lumber should be kept away from the house to reduce the risk of attracting termites.
- Fix Leaks and Moisture Issues: Termites are drawn to damp environments. To eliminate moisture buildup, repair any leaking pipes, faucets, or drainage issues.
- Install Termite Baiting Systems: These systems use slow-acting bait to attract and eliminate entire termite colonies over time.
- Use Liquid Termiticides: Inject liquid termiticides into mud shelter tubes and affected wood to eliminate active termites.
- Fumigation: In severe infestations, fumigation can effectively eradicate termites by penetrating deep into wooden structures.
Termite Damage in Crops and Effective Control Methods
Termites can severely impact crop health by attacking plant roots, stems, and other vulnerable parts. Recognizing the signs of infestation early is essential for effective management.
Signs of Termite Damage in Crops
- Wilting Plants: Termites damage roots, reducing water and nutrient uptake, leading to plant wilting. Pulling up affected plants may reveal live termites.
- Mud Galleries on the Stem: Termites build protective mud tubes along stems for shelter and moisture retention.
- Hollow Stems Filled with Mud: Infected plant stems may appear hollow and packed with mud due to termite activity.
- Frass at Tunnel Openings: Accumulation of termite droppings (frass) near tunnel entrances can be a clear sign of infestation.
Control Methods for Termites in Crops
Cultural Controls
- Adding Organic Matter: Increasing organic matter in the soil can divert termites from feeding on crops, as they prefer decomposing organic material.
- Push and Pull Technique: Planting wheat between maize stubbles after harvest (0.75m row spacing) attracts termites to stubbles instead of the wheat crop, reducing damage. Intercropping maize with soybeans or groundnuts enhances predatory ant populations, which naturally lower termite numbers.
- Nest Destruction: In Africa, farmers use methods such as burning, flooding, or physically destroying termite mounds. Smoking nests with wheat straw is another traditional technique used to suffocate and eliminate termites.
Biological Control
- Ants as Natural Predators: Ants are highly effective at controlling termite populations. Farmers attract predatory ants by placing leftover meat or sugar near termite colonies. Some ant species that prey on termites include:
- Plagiolepis pallescens
- Polyrhachis lacteipenni
- Pheidole teneriffana
- Crematogaster antaris
- Monomorium destructor
- Entomopathogenic Nematodes: These microscopic worms specifically target subterranean termites. Once applied, they enter the termite’s body through natural openings, releasing bacteria that produce lethal toxins. They are safe for non-target organisms and commercially available for agricultural use.
Chemical Control:
Fipronil: To control termites, we can use Fipronil (Fipronil 50 EC). . Fipronil works by contact and stomach action, killing termites when touched or consumed. It belongs to the chemical group Phenylpyrazoles/Fiproles (IRAC Group 2B). It is potentially hazardous (WHO Class II), thus wear protective equipment to avoid skin and eye irritations. Spraying near water sources or during bee activity is extremely hazardous to bees and aquatic life. Apply a maximum of 3 times per season, preferably in the early morning or late afternoon, and observe a 14-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) and a 24-hour re-entry interval (REI) after spraying. Always handle with care to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Deltamethrin: Deltamethrin is a pyrethroid (IRAC Group 3A) that kills termites on contact or when they are in contact with treated surfaces. It is slightly hazardous (WHO Class III), and we should wear protective gear to avoid skin and eye irritation and avoid spraying near water sources.It is highly toxic to bees and other beneficial insects, as well as aquatic life. Apply a maximum of 2 times per season, preferably in the early morning or late afternoon, and observe a 14-day pre-harvest interval (PHI) and a 24-hour re-entry interval (REI) after spraying.
Bifenthrin: Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid (IRAC Group 3A) that works by contact, killing pests on touch or when the termites are in contact with treated surfaces. It is moderately hazardous (WHO Class II). It has a pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 7-14 days and a re-entry interval (REI) of 12-24 hours after spraying.
Important Safety Measures:
- Always wear personal protective equipment before handling any pesticide.
- Consult agricultural experts or entomologists before applying chemicals.
- Read product labels carefully and follow recommended dosages.
- Prioritize eco-friendly methods to minimize environmental impact.
By combining cultural, biological, and chemical controls, farmers can effectively manage termite infestations while maintaining crop health and environmental sustainability.
References:
https://www.britannica.com/animal/termite/Nutrition
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7415.html?src=302-www&fr=4560
https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/termites-101-a-guide-to-different-termite-species/
Hussain, S., M. Asrar, U. Saleem, D. Hussain, M.S. Qadir, M. Saleem, R. Ali, Z. Javed and M. Saleem. 2024. Termites onslaught in Pakistan: An in depth review of agricultural impacts. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, 37(2): 146-157
https://plantix.net/en/library/plant-diseases/600232/termites/
Kumari, Kalyani & Patil, Kalyanrao & Sharma, Shikha. (2013). Farmer Friendly Ways to Control Termites. popular kheti. 1. 25-29.
Mahapatro, Gagan & Chatterjee, Debajyoti. (2018). Integrated Termite Management in the Context of Indoor and Outdoor Pest Situation. 10.1007/978-3-319-68726-1_5.
Latifian, M., Habibpour, B. and Kard, B. (2018) Predator ants of the date palm termite Microcerotermes diversus Silvestri and effects of ant morphometric characteristics on ant functional response. American Journal of Entomology, 2, 16–22.
https://plantwiseplusknowledgebank.org/doi/full/10.1079/pwkb.20167800538
https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them
https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=9100YHGT.TXT
Further reading
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