Termite and Wood Boring Insects - Finding the Queen Termite
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Finding the Queen Termite
ulrilra
04-29-09, 09:37 AM
I found a gathering of small (1/4 inch) subterranean termites under a pallet of wood that was lying on the ground to the side of my driveway. Since the colony relies on the queen to survive, I decided to search for her. I dug up all the termites in the ground and dumped them in a container, then I sawed off the pieces of wood in which they had made tunnels. I sifted through the dirt I had dug up and I chiseled apart the wood I had sawed off. I used a baster to suck up all the termites I found and I put them in a tupperware container. There were about 100 of them. There were workers and soldiers, but there was no queen, no eggs, and no larvae.
I'm absolutely positive I found every termite that was there. So why wasn't the queen there with them, and how do I find her? How far from the main nest (where the queen is located) will workers go to eat wood? 5 feet? 10 feet? More?
I'm absolutely positive I found every termite that was there. So why wasn't the queen there with them, and how do I find her? How far from the main nest (where the queen is located) will workers go to eat wood? 5 feet? 10 feet? More?
Gunguy45
04-29-09, 10:14 AM
Main colony could be 10-15' underground..if I remember right.
Ahh here...
Subterranean termites are ground dwelling social insects living in colonies. These termites have the ability to adjust the depth of their colony (nest) in soil depending on temperature and moisture requirements. The colony may be 18-20 feet deep in the ground. The ground serves as a protection against extreme temperatures and provides a moisture reservoir. Termites reach wood or cellulose materials above ground by constructing and traveling through earthen (mud) tubes. The mature colony consists of three castes: a) reproductives (king and queen), b) soldiers, and c) workers. It takes about 4 to 5 years for a colony to reach its maximum size and it may consist of 60,000 to 200,000 workers.
Ahh here...
Subterranean termites are ground dwelling social insects living in colonies. These termites have the ability to adjust the depth of their colony (nest) in soil depending on temperature and moisture requirements. The colony may be 18-20 feet deep in the ground. The ground serves as a protection against extreme temperatures and provides a moisture reservoir. Termites reach wood or cellulose materials above ground by constructing and traveling through earthen (mud) tubes. The mature colony consists of three castes: a) reproductives (king and queen), b) soldiers, and c) workers. It takes about 4 to 5 years for a colony to reach its maximum size and it may consist of 60,000 to 200,000 workers.
ulrilra
04-29-09, 10:27 AM
The colony may be 18-20 feet deep in the ground.
18 to 20 feet?? Are you sure those aren't just the African mound builders? I've seen videos of people finding the queen termite in a piece of wood on the surface. And if they're that far underground, how do exterminators get to them?
18 to 20 feet?? Are you sure those aren't just the African mound builders? I've seen videos of people finding the queen termite in a piece of wood on the surface. And if they're that far underground, how do exterminators get to them?
Gunguy45
04-29-09, 10:37 AM
Yes, thats correct, for established colonies, esp where soil conditions are favorable..I remember being told that back in VA, that there could be 2 or 3 colonies in my back yard.
Exterminators use baits that are carried back to the colony to kill them all. Most treatments really are nothing more than a barrier to prevent them coming into the home.
They may have found a new colony in those videos, before they had time to tunnel. Guess a lot depends on soil conditions in the area. Out here in my area there are very little termite problems due to the dryness and type of soil. One reason those old wooden shacks are still standing out in the desert even after being abandoned for 60-80 yrs.
100 or so termites isn't a whole colony..that was just a group of workers on a job site...lol.
Exterminators use baits that are carried back to the colony to kill them all. Most treatments really are nothing more than a barrier to prevent them coming into the home.
They may have found a new colony in those videos, before they had time to tunnel. Guess a lot depends on soil conditions in the area. Out here in my area there are very little termite problems due to the dryness and type of soil. One reason those old wooden shacks are still standing out in the desert even after being abandoned for 60-80 yrs.
100 or so termites isn't a whole colony..that was just a group of workers on a job site...lol.
ulrilra
04-29-09, 11:05 AM
Yes, thats correct, for established colonies, esp where soil conditions are favorable..I remember being told that back in VA, that there could be 2 or 3 colonies in my back yard.
Exterminators use baits that are carried back to the colony to kill them all. Most treatments really are nothing more than a barrier to prevent them coming into the home.
They may have found a new colony in those videos, before they had time to tunnel. Guess a lot depends on soil conditions in the area. Out here in my area there are very little termite problems due to the dryness and type of soil. One reason those old wooden shacks are still standing out in the desert even after being abandoned for 60-80 yrs.
100 or so termites isn't a whole colony..that was just a group of workers on a job site...lol.
So it's pretty much impossible to capture the queen of an established colony?
Exterminators use baits that are carried back to the colony to kill them all. Most treatments really are nothing more than a barrier to prevent them coming into the home.
They may have found a new colony in those videos, before they had time to tunnel. Guess a lot depends on soil conditions in the area. Out here in my area there are very little termite problems due to the dryness and type of soil. One reason those old wooden shacks are still standing out in the desert even after being abandoned for 60-80 yrs.
100 or so termites isn't a whole colony..that was just a group of workers on a job site...lol.
So it's pretty much impossible to capture the queen of an established colony?
Gunguy45
04-30-09, 08:00 AM
I can't imagine it being done in most area's of the country. Easier to use a baiting system to wipe out the whole colony.
I guess if you found a new colony w/i a few days of swarming, it could happen.
I guess if you found a new colony w/i a few days of swarming, it could happen.
Dutch1962
05-13-09, 07:48 PM
18 to 20 feet?? Are you sure those aren't just the African mound builders? I've seen videos of people finding the queen termite in a piece of wood on the surface. And if they're that far underground, how do exterminators get to them?
They can be a whole lot deeper. They have found them in coal mine timbers. Normally termites forage in the top 5 inches of the soil and that makes the bug guys job much easier. Also, most liquids are no longer just barriers. They are whole colony elimination products that work quite well.
Termiteswhat to look for | Pest Cemetery (http://pestcemetery.com/termites-what-to-look-for/)
They can be a whole lot deeper. They have found them in coal mine timbers. Normally termites forage in the top 5 inches of the soil and that makes the bug guys job much easier. Also, most liquids are no longer just barriers. They are whole colony elimination products that work quite well.
Termiteswhat to look for | Pest Cemetery (http://pestcemetery.com/termites-what-to-look-for/)