The word termite is likely to cause a homeowner to shudder in disgust and fear. Termites can be particularly damaging to homes, and can be a tough pest to get rid of without the right treatment and products. Homeowners fear the dreaded termite infestation, but many are unaware of the fun parts of termites in the environment.
While we may not love termites in our homes, they do have their uses. We’ve got a list of fun facts that you may not know about termites that may change your attitude about these pesky little things – just so long as they don’t move in!
Hard Working
Termites work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means that they simply never stop doing what they’re supposed to do. While termites may be annoying, wouldn’t it be nice if you could get your teenagers to work as hard as termites do to get the job done?
These little insects never sleep, and are constantly looking for things to do.
Vampire Like
Termites are fascinating in the fact that they are a little bit like the fictional vampire characters from popular movies and novels. They aren’t fond of direct sunlight, and may even die if they are exposed directly to UV rays. This explains why subterranean termites live in nests below ground and travel through mud tubes that block the sun from reaching them.
Food Facts
Surprisingly enough, the protein content in termites is higher than the protein content in beef. In some countries, such as Zaire, termites are fried and sold as an everyday food item. Many people depend on termites to get the protein they need to be healthy.
Some countries also take termites and make them into cooking oil. As there are more termites on the earth than there are humans, it appears that humans won’t be asked to go without cooking oil or protein for a long time to come.
Bug Facts
The largest termite nest ever contained over three million termites, and the queen was similar in size to a standard lead pencil. Termite queens live for anywhere from 15-25 years, and can lay up to 40,000 eggs every single day.
Some of the largest termite nests are home to up to two million termites at a time. It’s believed that termites have been around since the time of the dinosaurs, close to 250 million years. Termites have clearly made their mark on history and don’t plan to go anywhere soon.
Home Termites Are a Nuisance
While there are many fun facts and uses for termites, the bottom line is that they are simply a nuisance and potential hazard to your home. Call us at Planet Orange if you are dealing with a home termite infestation. Our termite treatment ensures that your most valuable asset is protected.