Termite Larvae

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Termite Larvae may physically change as they grow and prepare for future assignments.

Termite Larvae

IDENTIFYING AND GETTING TO KNOW TERMITE LARVAE

  1. The queen termite lays eggs daily, and the worker termites immediately whisk the eggs away to a nursery. The eggs hatch and the baby birds grow up. He’s not so cute. Termite larvae are very small and look just like the adults who care for them until they are old enough to take care of themselves.

  2. As termite larvae grow, their bodies may change physically in order to better prepare for their future assignments. They soon find themselves on one of two paths the path of a worker termite or the path of .A worker termite has a very small chance of becoming a soldier, while destined to later become one of the reproductive stage termites.

THE WORKER PATH

  1. The worker termites eat wood to get their food. They chew it up, and then the termites’ stomachs do their job and they regurgitate the digested wood for the rest of the termites to eat. The workers also share parasites and bacteria with each other so they can all digest wood.

  2. The workers also perform other tasks necessary to successfully run the colony, such as the construction of mud tunnels and the care of young termite larvae, soldiers, and the queen. If the queen termite feels that the colony needs more soldiers to protect it, she may call on some of the worker termites to help. Their heads grow larger and they develop large mandibles as weapons of destruction against their enemies.

WHAT IF I SEE TERMITES?

  1. Termites can cause a lot of damage if they start to develop in your home. This can make the situation much worse. The colony is growing and consuming more of your home, which is making it difficult for you to live in it.

  2. In your home, the development of termites into functioning members of the colony can make a difficult situation much worse. The colony is growing and consuming more of your home.

What Do Termite Larvae Look Like

  1. Termite larvae are not harmful to humans, but they can be very destructive pests. Like adult termites, these baby termites also feed on cellulose or wood pulp, causing huge structural damage to property. Therefore, it is important to eliminate these pests as soon as possible.

  2. Just like bed bugs, lice, and roaches, termites also undergo a change in form. They go through three life cycle stages: the egg, the larval ( immature) stage, and the adult stage. This article will help you to learn more about this insect, such as the Termit larvae, including eating habits, habitats, and behavior.

What Are Termite Larvae?

  1. Termite larvae are young termites just starting out in their development process. Under normal weather conditions, termite eggs can hatch into larvae between 26 and 30 days. During their growth period, termite larvae will shed their skins (exoskeleton) several times.

  2. Termite larvae can choose to become workers, soldiers, or reproductive termites, depending on the needs of their colony. However, most of them (male and female) will remain employed. On the other hand, some will develop their wings when they become adults.

What Do Baby Termites Look Like

  1. The baby terminal is transparent and is usually as white as the ninja, workers, and adults. They have a head with a segmented surface, small antennae, and six legs. However, they do not have eyes, so they are blind. Only the reproductive termites (kings and queens) have eyes. This is likely due to their important role in the colony’s survival.

How Big Are Termite Larvae

  1. On average, termite larvae are about 1/10 inch (2.54 mm) long and can be as small as termite eggs, where they emerged from. Therefore, you may not see them clearly with your eyes. Nevertheless, these baby termites can grow between 1/4 and 3/8 inch (6.35 and 9.5 mm) long once they become alates.

Do Termite Larvae Look Like Maggots

  1. The white larvae look like ants, and they both have soft white bodies with no casings, and then they turn into flies with no legs. Sometimes they can be light brown or yellow. At the same time, if you look closely at termite larvae, you’ll notice that they have very small legs.

  2. Besides, you can hardly see a small, almost invisible look like a small ram head. It’s because it’s totally hidden in their Toracus. On the other hand, termite larvae is split in the head, and you can easily recognize it. Again, they look like a mini-version of adult termites.

Where Can Termite Larvae Be Usually Found

  1. Underground termite larvae are usually found under the ground where the workers build their nests, and the queen lays her eggs. The nest consists of saliva, along with mud. These subterranean termite nests can be 5.5 to 6 meters deep and serve as protection against predators and extreme weather and as a moisture reservoir for their colony. In addition, the subterranean termites of their 2,750 children are the most destructive.

  2. On the other hand, dry wood termite larvae are found in sound, dry wood above the ground where they nest and take care of their young. These include trees, supply piles, structural sawn wood, wooden fences, stored wood, and wooden furniture.

  3. Unlike subterranean termites, dry wood termites do not live in the soil. Meanwhile, some termite species in hot countries such as Africa and Australia can create a very high nest, also called termite hills. They can be up to 6 meters high. However, you are very unlikely to see them.

Do Termite Larvae Move Fast

  1. Thermite larvae don’t move fast just because they’re too young. They don’t move around very much and usually live in colonies. These baby termites are still learning how to digest their food, and they still need lots of help. As a result, larger and faster termite workers will crush their food.

How Long Do Termites Larvae Live

  1. Termite larvae live for a certain amount of time before becoming adults. This transition may take three to four months. Typically, termite workers will reach maturity within a year and may live for up to 5 years.

  2. Termites can also mature within a year and may live up to 5 years. But amazingly, Queen Termites can live up to 25 years.

How to Get Rid of Termite Larvae

  1. The subterranean termites live in the ground, while the dry wood termites live in wooden structures. Therefore, the techniques to get rid of termite larvae depend on where they are located.

  2. If you use the wrong methods, you won’t get positive results. Instead, the larvae termites will grow into adults, and you can expect a severe termite infection.

What to Do if You Find Termite Larvae in Your House

  1. Underground termites may live underground, but they create mud pipes to crawl and feed. So you can see both underground and dry wooden termites in your house. And although they usually eat wood, they also eat paper, books, and everything that contains cellulose.

  2. The underground larvae of termites remain underground until they become Alates. On the other hand, you can find that the larvae from the dry tree are hiding in the wooden buildings of your house. You can also find workers and soldiers alive. If you see the larvae of Termit in your house, these are some of the activities you should be doing, not doing:

  • Don’t panic. Analyze the situation carefully before taking any action. If you disturb the termites, they can easily escape.You can leave the area but will return later or just switch to another part of your home.

  • Termites cannot survive in extreme heat. If your wooden furniture has some termites and there is no infestation yet, bring it carefully in front of your house. Leave it in direct sunlight for 2 - 3 days, and Termites will eventually die. Trap the termites with the moistened corrugated board.

  • As soon as they feel attracted to it, you burn the cardboard. Although this technique can look simple and effective, there is no guarantee that all termites are trapped. In some cases, where extreme heat cannot reach the termites, you can try some essential oils such as orange oil and wintergreen oil.

  • However, you only work against Drywood Termites which can damage your furniture. Most DIY (do-it-yourself) strategies are effective to get rid of termites if there are only a few of them.

How Do You Kill Termite Larvae in Soil

  1. As mentioned earlier, the subterranean termite species lives underground. Since subterranean termites live in the soil and dry wood termites live in the wood, the methods used to eliminate dry wood termites won’t work on subterranean termites. There are some ways to get rid of termite larvae that are hiding under the ground.

1. Apply a Liquid Pesticide

  • Also known as termiticides, liquid pesticides are effective at repelling and eliminating subterranean termites that may try to enter your home. Still, you need a lot of these for your house on the perimeter. Drilling or trenching is usually necessary when doing construction work. Some states ban the use of termiticide because of its high toxicity levels.

2. Install Termite Bait System

  • A termite bait system requires a mixture of cellulose and a slow-acting insecticide as bait to get rid of subterranean termite larvae and alates. The purpose of the termite workers eating the bait is to share it with other members of the colony. However, not all termites will find the bait, and you may need to use multiple bait systems.

Summary: Both methods are effective in eliminating termite larvae in soil. However, they can only work in light cases. In heavy cases, it’s better to hire the Termit experts because they have the right equipment and they know they need to use the Termiticide. Thus, the percentage of better results is also higher.

What Are the Natural Deterrents for Termites

  • Besides direct sunlight, there are other natural ways to repel termites or get rid of them. Although all of these treatments are safe and effective, you may need to use them multiple times to see the best results. If the termite infestation is severe, the treatments may not be as effective as you might expect. Anyway, there are some of them here:
  1. Boiling water
  2. Borate sprays/boric acid
  3. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
  4. Essential oils
  5. Sand barriers
  6. Salt solution

Larvae Life Cycle

  1. The larvae change their skin as they grow. This process of molting occurs several times as termites grow into their adult roles in the termite caste system. The larvae will grow into one of three different types of termites.

  2. If the workers become adults, they will build the tunnels of the nest and find food for the rest of the colony. If they grow up as soldiers, their ants will be hardened, their heads will grow and they will use their models to protect the nest.

  3. If the larvae grow up in Alates, they’ll become known as neuters and gradually grow wings until they’re mature enough to fall out of the nest, mate, and build a new colony. However, the times do not necessarily become Alates. If the colony needs them, they will melt their growing wings and become pseudodergates or “false workers.”

The Life of a Larva

  1. After eggs are laid, termite workers take them to incubation areas to hatch. Eggs hatch within a few weeks or a month after they are laid. The newly hatched larvae are taken to a nursery where workers care for them until they are old enough to be assigned a caste.

  2. The larvae undergo several molts as they grow. They will reach adulthood after several molts. Once the caste is decided, the larva will develop into an adult and start its new life. Some molting may be necessary.

  3. If the larva is to become any of the reproductive castes, it will first have to become. While larvae can also be named during this period, Thermit develops the Nubs wing and this is a separate period from Hatchling as soon as the reproductive termites. Depending on the type of reproductive termite, the Imphal may or may not develop wings.

How To End Larvae

  1. There is one method of killing termites that will specifically target the larvae, nematodes. Nitoid worms are small and unbroken parasites for many domestic pests. Nematodes should be kept cool and planted in a location where they will not be damaged by UV rays from the sun.

  2. When nematodes are released into a termite colony, they attack and kill the larvae. The larvae die within 48 hours. This may be an effective way to wipe out an infestation, but note that termites may live for up to two years and that the queen may live for at least ten.

  3. As the termites are awake, the damage they may cause to their death will continue to be quite costly. Depending on the type of reproductive termite, may not actually develop wings, or even keep the wing nubs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Why do termites look so different?

Termites are social insects. This means they have different-looking individuals, called castes, to carry out the tasks or jobs of the colony.

2. What do termites eat?

Termites eat cellulose, the basic building block of wood. Millions of homes in North America are built of wood, and if left unprotected or monitored, can fall prey to termite attack.

3. How do I know when I have a termite problem?

Most homeowners will rarely see termites. These are secretive, cryptic insects that hide deep in wood or soil. However, during the spring and into the fall (depending on the species), termite colonies produce swarmers.

4. How do I pick the right termite company?

The rule of thumb when dealing with contractor and services companies is to obtain at least three written price quotes before deciding on a service (see PCOC link for a list of qualified pest control operators in your area).

5. When do I need treatment?

A very difficult question to answer. Especially on a computer screen having not seen the particulars of the problem in your home! Let’s start off with the obvious treatment situations.

6. What are the treatment options?

There is no right answer to this question. Treatment options vary considerably with the species of termite, extent, and degree of infestation.

7. Are the treatment options safe?

Federal and some state statutes strictly regulate pesticide use and guarantee the short-term and long-term safety of chemicals for termite control when used per label instructions by qualified professionals.

8. Can I do the inspection & treatment myself?

No, termite inspections and treatments are very detailed and complicated. Treatments, especially underneath or in attics of homes can be dangerous.

9. Can anything be done to prevent termites?

Termites are only a problem if they gain access to wood, particularly those wooden members that make up our homes and surrounding decks and fences.

10. Just what is a termite?

Termites are small, pale to brownish-black in color, insects that feed on wood.

  • These are the common faqs.

Related Articles:

  1. Wood house termites
  2. Will Homeowners Insurance Cover Sagging Floors

Conclusion:

Termite larvae are very small and as hard as adult larvae to find, termite is usually found in wood, but can also enter through cracks in concrete walls. But like other pests, they show some signs of their existence. The only major problem, therefore, is how to effectively repel them.