Termites are pests that can cause a lot of damage to homes and businesses. They are known as wood-eaters, but they do a lot more than just eat wood. In this article, we will explore 10 little known facts about termites. We will also take a look at some of the cool things about these interesting creatures.
10 little known facts about termites –
Without further ado, let’s get right to the 10 little known facts about termites!
Termites are a bug species that don’t sleep!
Termites are a bug species that are known for their hard work. In fact, termites are one of the few insect species that don’t sleep and work around the clock to build their nests. They also have a very short lifespan, averaging only two years.
When they are awake, not only do they build their nests, but they also dig through the ground or whatever entity they inhabit to create burrows and tunnels. So, my suggestion to you would be to never sleep on a termite problem, because they never do!
Termites, as a species, have been around for a really long time!
Termites are ancient insect species that have been around for over 250 million years. They are one of the most successful and widespread groups of insects on the planet.
They evolved from a species of cockroach and can now be found all over the world.
However, because their lifespan is only about two or three years, they are constantly swarming in order to create new colonies.
Termite workers and termite soldiers are blind!
Termites are fascinating creatures that are often misunderstood. They have a complex social hierarchy and communicate with each other using pheromones or a special chemical scent.
Interestingly, termite workers and soldiers are blind! This is because they spend their entire lives in the confines of their damp, dark nest. They rely on their antennae to navigate and communicate with each other.
Termites have special glands on their chests, which they use to leave scent trails that will guide other workers. This allows them to build complex nests and find food quickly.
The queen of a termite colony can lay millions of termite eggs in just a year!
Termite queens are some of the most prolific egg-layers in the animal kingdom. A queen termite can lay up to 30,000 eggs a day and up to 2 million eggs during her lifetime.
She can also live for more than 10 years. This helps ensure that the colony will continue to thrive even if she is killed.
The fact is that the queen of a termite colony is responsible for the majority of reproduction in the nest and produces pheromones that help regulate the nest and determine how many larvae develop into soldiers, workers, or alates.
Termite hills or mounds are very energy efficient!
Termite hills or mounds are very energy efficient! The cone shape of most termite mounds causes a natural updraft of heat towards the opening, naturally cooling the rest of the mound as temperatures rise outside.
What’s even more interesting is that this solar chimney effect has been used throughout the centuries by cultures in warm climates and has become a popular way to achieve passive cooling in modern architecture.
You can actually eat termites!
Termites are a type of insect that can be found all over the world. They play an important role in the environment by breaking down dead organic matter, but they are also edible and have been consumed by humans for centuries.
There are a variety of ways to eat termites, depending on the culture. In some places, they are eaten raw, while in others, they are cooked or made into a paste.
In some types of cultures, termites are considered to be a culinary delicacy, and their queen termites are particularly prized.
In fact, termites are edible and are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses, including the flu and whooping cough. Termites can also be ground into a powder and used as a thickener for soups and stews.
Baby termites eat their own poop!
When baby termites are born, they eat their own poop in order to get the bacteria they need to survive.
Eating their poop not only helps them grow and develop but also helps them to provide food for the rest of the colony. As disgusting as it sounds, feces are high in protein, so it’s an important part of a termite’s diet.
Termites and ants are natural predators of each other!
Termites and ants are natural predators of each other because they compete for the same resources. Termites are often called upon to get rid of pesky ant hills and vice versa.
In fact, termites and ants share an interesting relationship. Termites are actually the nemeses of ants because they can invade their colonies and consume them and the converse also holds true.
However, if you are careful not to lure too many ants into your property, you should be safe from any serious damage.
Additionally, it’s important to know that there are some very dangerous species of ants, such as the bullet ant, so be sure to do your research before taking any action.
Termites play a very important role in the environment!
Termites are one of the many insects that help to keep our forests healthy. They play a vital role in breaking down dead wood and tough natural fibers such as cellulose present in trees and returning the nutrients to the soil to make it fertile.
By doing so, they turn these materials into fertile soil, which helps new plants grow. Termite tunnels also help aerate the ground and add oxygen, which in turn promotes new growth.
This goes to show that apart from being wood-eaters, termites are also needed as natural decomposers.
Termites are known to be hygienic pests!
Termites are very clean creatures. In fact, they go to great lengths to stay clean and free of harmful bacteria and parasites. This is because they live in the ground and dirt, which gives them a chance to acquire parasites and bacteria.
To combat this, termites use good hygiene as their way of controlling harmful bacteria and parasites within their nest.
And ultimately, because you have been nothing short of a wonderful reader, we have a bonus fact for you!
The 11/10 little known fact about termites!
Termites are in a perpetual larval stage. This means that they never reach maturity and always stay in the immature form. Termites actually don’t have an exoskeleton that makes them look like larvae!
The queen termite and the king termite are the only termites that reach maturity in a colony. They are responsible for laying eggs and reproducing.
After the queen termite has laid the eggs, different castes develop as larvae, including workers and soldiers. The workers are responsible for gathering food and maintaining the colony, while the soldiers act as the protectors of the colony.
Conclusion
Well, you never thought you’d know so much about termites, and yet! Here we are. Bear in mind that no matter how fascinating these pests are, they are still fearsome pests. They can damage not only your wooden furniture but also the foundation and structure of your house!