I think we all can agree on one thing – termites are bad news. They destroy our homes and many of the things inside it – furniture, cabinets, and even photo albums! But aside from being one of our worst nightmares, there are some pretty interesting things about termites that may be worth knowing.
1. Ants are their worst enemy.
Ants are the termites’ largest natural predator so if you see an established ant colony in your garden or yard, then it’s less likely for termites to establish a colony there.
2. There are more termites than people in this world.
For every person on Earth, there are a thousand pounds of termite (that’s not a typo). So if there are 7.7 billion people on the planet, well you can do the math.
3. There are no termites in Alaska.
Alaska if probably the only state in the US with almost no termites due to its very cold conditions. The ones that do manage to survive there are not as dangerous as subterranean termites.
4. Termites are edible.
In Singapore, people eat queen termites either dipped in alcohol, soaked in rice wine or raw. They believe it can cure an illness or at least, for nutrition purposes. Macu Indians eat termites when there’s nothing left to eat due to drought. Amazonians boil termites and mix it with sugar to cure the flu or whooping cough.
5. Termite queens can lay up to 30,000 eggs in one day.
The average termite queen which has a lifespan of 15 to 25 years can lay 4 eggs every minute. Some can produce even more.
6. Termites can build humongous mounds.
For their size, termites are capable of building as large as 12 inches of mound for their nests. They also create mud tubes from their home to their food. The highest mound found was in Africa, which was 42 feet high.
7. Termites have been around 250 million years.
Yes, they were already here when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth. While the earliest humans were here 4 and a half million years ago, ancient termites lived 250 million years ago.
8. Termites eat a lot.
One colony alone can consume up to a thousand pounds of wood in one year. Termites don’t sleep so they spend all their time eating.
9. Termites release a lot of gas.
In order to break down the wood they eat, termites release methane gas. Researchers believe they are capable of releasing as much as 150 million tons of gas annually which contributes significantly to air pollution and can have an adverse effect on our climate.
Termites are not only bad for your home, but also for the environment. If you suspect a termite infestation, it’s a smart idea to contact Cook’s pest control services so they can inspect your home and implement the necessary treatment to get rid of these pests and help make sure they don’t come back.