What are the Most Common Kinds of Termites in the Philippines?

termites in wood

There are thousands of termite species around the world, each one with unique characteristics and requiring specific approaches for termite treatment. There are four types of termites you can find in the Philippines.

With this in mind, it’s important to know the different kinds of termites in the Philippines, so you know what type of termite you’re dealing with, and how to best approach termite control should you find one of them in your house.

Ano ang anay? Anay or termites are a type of pest that feed on wood and other cellulose materials, making them a threat to houses that have wooden structures and furniture.

Termites are small creatures that live in a colony – built underground or inside wood. They follow a hierarchical system where there is a king and queen that populates the colony and soldiers that gather food from your property.

There are four common species of termites that you’ll find in the Philippines. Knowing which species you’re dealing with will also help you know what to do in case of an infestation:

point headed termite

The Luzon Point-Headed Termite or Nasutitermes lagunasensis is a type of subterranean termite that is most common in the Luzon region. It has no mandibles and has a pointed head shape, giving it a unique appearance from other types of anay. This is usually darker in color, too.

You’ll typically find the Luzon Point-Headed Termite’s colony in tree trunks. They build narrow mud tubes to allow soldiers to gather sustenance without being exposed to the open air. So, if you see a mound on a tree and mud tubes traveling down its trunks, you can be sure that you have Nasutitermes lagunasensis.

These termites primarily feed on wood sap and can wreak havoc on a house.

How to address a Luzon Point-Headed Termite Infestation:

  • It is best to ask a pest control service to apply pesticide to the infested area
  • It is also possible to use DIY pesticides, but these can be dangerous to children and pets
  • Once the termites have been killed, you can use a shovel or hoe to destroy their mound
  • If the mounds have a bigger structure, it might be wise to use a rototiller

The Los Banos Termites or Microcerotermes losbanosensis  is a species that was discovered in Los Baños, Laguna.

These termites have a light color, making it easily mistaken for larvae by untrained eyes. The Los Banos Termites have a long rectangular head that has horn-like mandibles with serrated edges. These mandibles make it easy for them to get into wooden structures and gather sustenance.

These types of Philippine termites typically build two nests – one underground and one outside, usually suspended in ceilings, beams, or trees. Since the Microcerotermes losbanosensis are extremely sensitive to the open air, they build extremely narrow mud tubes for soldiers to use to get around.

The Los Banos termites are extremely damaging to modern houses because they prefer getting their food from semi-processed wood that are commonly used in Philippine houses.

termite wood treatment

How to address a Los Banos Termite Infestation:

  • Treat the wood in your house and soil around the property with a termite treatment
  • You may destroy any nest that you see with a shovel
  • Dispose of the debris properly
  • Hire a professional termite control team to handle the removal of termite nests, especially for subterranean nests that are more difficult to locate

The Philippine Milk Termites or Coptotermes gestroi probably have the most unique features out of all the termites on this list. The workers of this termite species are white in color while the soldiers secrete a white substance called latex. However, their most distinctive characteristic is the drop in their head leading to their teeth-less mandibles. They are also wingless and eyeless.

They’re considered the most destructive type of termite in the Philippines because they will consume anything with cellulose – from wood to rubber to plastic even up to fabric. So, not even your clothes and beddings are safe from the Philippine Milk Termite.

These destructive anay thrive in areas with lower moisture and humidity levels, which is probably why they have also been found in parts of the USA and Australia.

The Philippine Milk Termite builds their nest deep underground, but they may also be found nesting in man-made structures. Their nest tends to be extensive because it needs to house their large population.

How to address a Philippine Milk Termite Infestation:

  • The best way to handle a Philippine Milk Termite infestation is through termite baits that will slowly eliminate the colony and, eventually, its queen, which will lead to the entire colony’s collapse
  •  Follow up with soil treatment to termite-proof your house
mound building termite

The Mound Building Termite or Macrotermes gilvus is the largest species of termites in the Philippines. They typically measure 4 to 6 mm and can grow up to 10mm. These termites have rounded heads, but their most distinct characteristic is their darker abdomen.

The workers are blind, lack wings, and have immature reproductive capabilities. Meanwhile, soldiers are equipped with a corrosive substance that coats their mandibles to help them defend their colony.

Mound building termites are usually found in gardens where they build towering mounds that Filipinos historically associate with “nuno sa punso.” These termites also create wider mud tubes to let workers find sustenance.

Macrotermes gilvus are the most common kind of termite you can find, not just in the Philippines but also in other countries. The possible damage they can do to any home is universal.

How to address a Mound Building Termite Infestation:

  • Use the best methods to get rid of termites permanently
  • Slowly eliminate the colony by setting up bait traps
  • Apply termiticide in the infected area with the help of a professional exterminator to do this to increase your chances of success
  • Destroy the mound once it has been abandoned

Knowing the different termites in the Philippines can help you identify the infestation and assess the possible damage to your house’s structures. Although the different species of anay have major differences, they all can put your house’s structural integrity in danger, so it’s equally important to understand prevention measures and how to get rid of termites in the Philippines.

Don’t ignore termites. Contact us to start protecting your home.

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