What happens if you kill a termite queen?
If their termite queen dies, leaving no insects that can lay eggs and control the population for a long time, all the eggs and colony members will die.
Can worker termites turn into queens?
Yes, termites can live without a queen. When a queen or king dies, worker termites can develop into reproductive females or males without going through the winged stage. They are referred to as secondary reproductives.
How often do king and queen termites mate?
several times per year
Reproductives include the king termite, queen and the alates. The royal duo will produce alates several times per year. Alates are sexually mature males and females that develop wings and fly from the hive to start their own colonies.
How does a termite become queen?
A queen termite has a long lifespan and is typically the oldest termite in the colony. Termite queens can live 25 to 50 years, with peak egg production for up to 10 years. When the queen dies and the pheromone she uses to block reproductives’ development is no longer produced, a new queen will develop in the colony.
Is it bad to live in a house with termites?
Termites are not known to carry diseases harmful to humans, either. However, people who are living in homes infested by termites may suffer from allergic reactions or even asthma attacks. Heating or ventilation systems can especially contribute to the spread of irritating particles and dust from termite nests.
How long does it take for termites to destroy a house?
A large Formosan termite colony can cause significant damage to a house in approximately two years, if it is not controlled. Other termite species would take several more years to cause the same level of damage as Formosan termites since other species have much smaller colony sizes.
Can termites bite humans?
Essentially, termites definitely bite wood and do attack other insects, but they do not bite people. Although homeowners experiencing an infestation should not be concerned about receiving bites from termites, professional extermination methods should be sought and implemented to protect the structure of your home.
