Termites are an order of social insects, the Isoptera. They sometimes have been calling white ants incorrectly because ants belong to the Order Hymenoptera. Termites once classified in a separate order from cockroaches, but recent phylogenetic studies indicate that they evolved from cockroaches, as sisters to Cryptocercus.
They are any of the various pale-colored insects of the order Isoptera that live in large colonies and feed on wood. Termites resemble ants in their appearance, manner of living, and social organization, but are not closely related.
Termites can be very destructive to wooden buildings and structures and items of furniture. Termites are among the most successful groups of insects on Earth. Their colonies range in size from a few hundred individuals to enormous societies with several million individuals.
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The life cycle of the Termites:
The life cycle of the termite begins with a mating flight, wherein crowding feathered reproductive males and females leave established colonies and procreate. The queen and king termites are at the center of the termite life cycle and are responsible for reproduction.
After the fertilized queen lays her eggs, they hatch into pale white larvae. Eggs hatch into larvae and molt to develop into workers, soldiers, and primary or secondary reproductives. The larva then grows into a nymph. A nymph is a young termite that is developing through molts, a process of shedding its exoskeleton, to become reproductive.
After that, the Termites turn into larvas and then a full-grown Termite. Workers and soldiers termites live approximately one to two years. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climatic conditions.
What is Pest Control?
A pest is a member of the animal kingdom that impacts adversely on human activities. Termite control Newcastle is the regulation or management of a species known as a pest. Pest control measures may perform as part of an integrated pest management strategy.
In agriculture, insects are kept outside by cultural, chemical, and biological means. In the environment in which humans live, they are not the only living organism present. Several other living creatures share the same habitat as that of humans.
In an urban environment or homes, some organisms like pests, rodents, birds, insects, and many more, are ordinarily encountered. These organisms sometimes harm some objects, thus causing a problem to humans. It gives rise to a method that acts as a solution to the problem. This method is known as pest control.
Methods of Pest Control:
Several processes can lead to proper pest control. Some of the methods are –
- Cultural Control: Mechanical pest control is the use of hands-on techniques as well as manageable equipment and devices that provide a protective barrier between plants and insects.
- Physical: Physical Termite control involves trapping or killing of pests such as insects and rodents. In larger buildings, insects may trap using such means named as pheromones. They also use artificial elastic chemicals or ultraviolet light to attract insects.
- Chemical: A pesticide is a chemical used to prevent, destroy, or repel pests. They fight pests and diseases occurring on the crops, livestock, and possessions.
- Biological Control: The physiological control method is one of the safest approaches as it has no side effects on the object or other living creatures. It involves a process known as Sterilization. Sterilization is the process of inhabiting reproduction as an organism. It helps by arresting the growth of the pests. Hence the Termites cannot reproduce, and thus the community gradually comes to an end.
Sometimes pests can do so much harm to humans. And to control that harm, the humans take the step of pest control.