Termite Baiting Program: About $30-$45 every other month; depending on the size of the structure. Termite Baiting:
"A Formidable Foe" A particularly insidious enemy of the homeowner is the termite whose fondness for woody tissues leads to stealthy and surprising invasions of dwellings. Since they avoid exposure to light and air, they are seldom seen until costly damage is done. The most commonly encountered termite is the soil-inhabiting subterranean species. | ||
KING AND QUEEN - In a termite colony the male helps establish the nest and remains with the female throughout life. EGGS - The queen is the primary egg producer of the entire colony: she may lay thousands of eggs over a period of years. In some colonies, supplementing queens emerge to speed up the reproduction process. NYMPH - The developing termite passes through several stages: First the egg, then the immature or nymphal forms. Nymphs begin destructive feeding at an early age. SUPPLEMENTAL KING AND QUEEN - In answer to environmental demands, additional kings and queens may develop from nymphs to increase the population of the colony at a rapid rate. They also act as replacements for injured or dead kings and queens. WORKERS - These destructive foraging feeders are the most numerous in the colony. These are the termites most commonly found in infested wood. These creamy-white, wingless, blind maggot-like workers forage for food and construct the tunnels. They help feed the nymphs, the soldiers, and the reproductives. THE SOLDIERS - These grotesque but specialized individuals' main purpose in life is to protect the colony against ants and other enemies. They are wingless, blind, and must be fed by workers or nymphs. WINGED REPRODUCTIVES - These are the most visible ones. They are the ones you see "swarming" in the spring to form new colonies. They breed and rapidly form new nests in different locations. SWARMING - When you see them swarming, you know more colonies may soon be forming. Most termites are normally light-shy and reclusive. But once a year, "winged reproductives" literally burst from their mud tubes and seek the light and open spaces. WING LOSS - The spectacular swarming is followed by wing loss. Some termite wings break off in air and the hopeless termites spiral to the ground while others crash-land and their wings break off on impact. The wingless termites then easily fall prey to ants and other enemies. THE CYCLE GOES ON - The now wingless reproductives find a mate and struggle to a safe spot in moist wood or soil. In a safe spot with a supply of cellulose, they breed, lay eggs, and the cycle continues. |