Spring signals the start of termite season. Why Spring? Most subterranean termites swarm during this time. Some believe that swarms are linked to the blooming of trees, particularly when buds and flowers appear. During this time, termites are most visible and as a result, many people think termites are only a problem in the Spring. False. Some termite species can remain active and out of site all year round.
You may think you know all there is to know about termites: they eat wood and damage homes. There’s a lot more to these silent destroyers.
Here are 10 fascinating facts about termites:
- Termites never sleep. They build their colonies 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, until they die.
- Ants are a termites biggest competitor. When termite and ant colonies near each other, a war will occur over territory and access to food.
- Soldier and reproductive termites cannot feed themselves. They rely on the workers to regurgitate cellulose into their mouths.
- Termites are extremely hygienic. The colonies spend a good amount of time grooming one another.
- Termite queens have a lifespan between 30 and 50 years. This is the longest lifespan of any insect in the world.
- A termite infestation is most often caused by more than one colony.
- The total weight of all termites in the world is more than the weight of all the humans in the world.
- The largest termite colony ever recorded contained over three million termites.
- Each year, termites inflict more than $5 billion dollars worth of property.
- Termite damage is not covered by homeowners insurance.
Knockout Pest Control is your local expert at knocking out termite infestations and inspecting structures for termite problems. We serve all of Long Island, New York City, and Westchester and Rockland Counties with 24 hour service seven days a week.
