Types of termites in South Africa
- Termite King and Queen
- Termite Workers
- Termite Soldiers
- Alates
- Coptotermes spp.
- Cryptotermes spp.
- Neotermes spp.
How fast do they spread?
Termites forage almost at a constant bases and can spread up to 150 feet around their one colony. It doesn’t take long for termites to ‘nest’ and an infestation can take place within a few days.
Did you know?
- There are more than 2,300 species of termites worldwide.
- Worker and soldier termites are blind. Only termites that have become fully mature, reproductive termites develop eyes.
- Termites cannot “eat” wood. Termites need the help of single-cell organisms in their guts to digest the wood.
- Ants are termite’s main predator.
- Termites build the largest nests of any insect.
- Termites communicate through chemical signals and vibrations caused by head-banging.
- Termites have lived on Earth for 250 million years.
- Termites break down tough plant fibers, recycling dead and decaying trees into new soil.
- The average lifespan of termites is approximately 1 to 2 years.