Termites And Ants
Termites and Ants
Termites and ants are often mistaken for each other. In fact, termites are sometimes known as "white ants" while red fire ants are at times referred to as "red termites." Both white ants and red termites are misnomers because termites and ants could not be any more different from each other.
Why is it important to differentiate between termites and ants?
Termites and ants behave differently and react differently to their environment. There are types of termites that are highly destructive to property as they feed on wood, their main food source. Ants, as scavengers, virtually eat anything they can get their hands on and they do not target wood as their main food source. In this regard, termites present a larger problem for humans than ants do.
Some pesticides will kill termites but not ants, while other pesticides work the other way around. There are only very few pesticides that can effectively control both termites and ants at the same time because of the inherent differences between the two insects. As such, it is important to identify these differences so that you can come up with effective solutions that can control one or the other.
Habitat
One of the most glaring differences between termites and ants is their habitat. Ants typically live on the surface which is a more practical setting for their scavenging habits.
Often, they would construct simple mounds made of dirt, bits of plant material, and saliva, to shelter their colony from the environment. But these mounds, compared to the more complex termite mounds, serve only as rudimentary constructions with little to no structural integrity. This is because ants do not depend on their mounds to create an environment that is more biologically favorable to them.
On the other hand, most termite species are unable to withstand the environment on the surface. As such, they create these mounds of dirt to allow them to control the environment around them, making it more conducive for their survival and reproduction. There are at least two highly common species of termites that live under the ground.
Appearance
Although termites and ants resemble each other, upon closer inspection you can spot a number of differences in their biological construction. For instance, the antennae of termites and ants are different in that termite antennae are made of simple, string of bead-like segments while ant antennae are elbowed.
Another significant difference between termites and ants is that ants have compound eyes, which makes it easy for them to find food on the surface. Termites, on the other hand, usually do not have eyes. This is due to the fact that while underground, termites do not need eyes t find food and instead use their other senses to feel around them. There are some termites, however, that have not very well-developed compound eyes.
Termites
Termites
... One of the first important termite habits you need to understand is how they live. How do they get into your home in the first place? And why? Termites, like all living creatures, have feeding habits. Simply put, termites eat. Their primary food is wood - usually decaying roots of trees, tree stumps, ...
... these termites. Formosan termites have the tendency to create bigger colonies, which make them very capable of creating considerable damage to structures. Formosan termites feed on materials that contain cellulose like wood, cardboard and paper. Their digestive systems have bacteria and single-celled ...
... secretive insects, and dampwood termites usually hide behind the wood they are eating so one cannot see. Only when the timber starts to show surface damage would a person be made aware that the wood has been infested. Dampwood termites typically eat wood across the grain. They would consume both spring ...
... to wreck havoc to your precious abode. It is certainly a scary thought, but unfortunately a very real threat. That is why termites should not just be taken lightly because they may seem too insignificant to bother with. The next thing you'll know it the pesky little critters have practically torn your ...
... likely places where there could be possible termite infestation in your home. The swarmer termites usually flock during springtime and usually after a downpour and can possibly last for several hours. After the swarming activity they shed their wings and would never fly again or develop new wings. They ...