Common Termites Found in the Philippines

What are the common termites that you can find in the Philippines?

1. Los Banos Termite
2. Powder-Post Termite
3. Rotten-wood Termite
4. Subterranean Termite
5. Philippine Milk Termite
6. Luzon Point-Headed Termite

 

There are approximately 2,000 termite species in the world, and of these, there are 6 common termites found in the Philippines. They’re the Los Banos termites, powder-post termites, rotten-wood termites, subterranean termites, Philippine milk termites, and Luzon point-headed termites.

For this reason, the need to implement termite control in your home is important. But first, you need to know what kind of termite lingers in your home. This blog post focuses on termite types and what you can do to get rid of them. Read on to learn more.

Los Banos Termite

The Los Banos termites have long, rectangular heads with horn-like mandibles and serrated edges, which make it easier for them to quickly consume their source of strength. They have two nests—the primary and the secondary nests. The former is typically built underground while the latter can be found in beams, trees, and walls.

They are difficult to see in your home because of their light color, which could be mistaken for larvae. Besides that, they have a unique but frustrating characteristic where they can easily hide, making it difficult for you to get rid of them.

Powder-Post Termite

One of the most mischievous termites in the Philippines, powder-post termites usually linger in dry wood. Their favorite (and destructive) hobbies are constructing mounds, mud tunnels, or shelter tubes without having contact with the soil.

In addition, they like to create nests in roof materials and wooden wall supports, and infest dead wood that may be around your home. They don’t need moisture for survival as other species out there do, but they can be found in wood near a water source. So, if you have a leaky pipe or water heater, don’t hesitate to fix it right away or else it could become a home of powder-post termites. Yikes!

Rotten-Wood Termite

Rotten-wood termites belong to the oldest living lineage of termites, the Kalotermitidae. Due to their large size compared to other termite types, they can easily infest wood with relatively high moisture. On the other hand, they won’t infest structures with wooden parts that are low in moisture content.

Subterranean Termite

If you have a garden, there’s a possibility that subterranean termites are staying there and enjoying the pleasure of attacking your plants or fruits. They’re also considered a large type of termite. You can distinguish that a termite falls under the subterranean type if its abdomen has a dark color compared to the rest of its body.

They produce a corrosive substance that coats their mandibles, which enables them to fight other termites. And, if you’re wondering what damage they can do to your home, it’s universal, so we highly recommend you keep the integrity of your home and stay vigilant for any signs of subterranean termites in your surroundings.

Philippine Milk Termite

Philippine milk termites have the most unique features compared to other termites. They are white in color, with large heads and mandibles without teeth, and produce a white substance called latex. They don’t have wings, eyes, or anterior lobes.

They’re the most damaging type of termite out there because they will come to anything with cellulose, which can be found in food, vegetable, fruits, grains, seeds, nuts, and more. What’s more frightening is they can also eat fabric, if given a chance.

When they get agitated, they will tap their heads, causing a loud, ticking sound.

Luzon Point-Headed Termite

Last but not least are the Luzon point-headed termites. They have a dark, pointed head shapes and usually feed on wood sap. They don’t have any mandibles, but that doesn’t mean they can’t create narrow mud tubes.

To destroy their mounds, you can use a hoe or shovel. However, if their mounds are too big, it might be wiser to use a rototiller. Some people eliminate them by using chemicals, but this is not recommended since it can also harm humans, especially children, and animals. It’s best to ask your pest control service to use organic, environmentally safe pest control chemicals to get rid of these termites in your home.

What Types of Wood Do Termites Eat?

Just like other species, termites need to feed on something to survive. One of their sources of nutrition is wood. You can easily find termites in the wooden parts of your home. Here are the different types of wood that do and don’t attract termites.

Wood types that attract termites

• Pine
• Spruce
• Rotting
• Moist
• Cedar
• Fir

Wood types that are termite-resistant

• Teak
• Redwood
• Cypress
• Cedar
• Pressure-treated
• Processed bamboo

Key Takeaway

Identifying the common termites that can be found in the Philippines helps you assess the possible damage they could bring to your home. Instead of relying on chemically-made pest control solutions, look for a pest control company that offers safer, organic, and eco-friendly termite control services like Topbest!

Contact Topbest today, the leading pest control services provider in the Philippines, for a free consultation! Our friendly, expert team is always ready to get rid of any pest in your home, such as termites, cockroaches, rodents, and more.