Nasutitermes Termites

SCIENTIFIC NAME:                  Nasutitermes corniger

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CLASS/ORDER/FAMILY:           Insecta / Isoptera / Termitidae

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METAMORPHOSIS:                  Simple

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COLLOQUIAL:                          RAINFLY

 

INTRODUCTION

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Nasutitermes termites (Cone-head termite) are similar to the family of the Dry-wood termite, but they only nest in large aerial nests. The termites enter our buildings from via winged alates in search of new areas to acquire food or expand their colony.

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SIGNS OF DAMAGE AND INFESTATION

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• A subterranean termite infestation is usually recognised by the following 3 indicators:

 

               Ø   Foraging tubes: The termite foraging tubes lead from their aerial nests down and across trees in forest or

                     from theirs nests to adjacent structures to the infested wood. The tubes provide shelter for the foraging

                     termites. The tubes are flattened and dark brown in appearance.

               Ø   Alates / Swarmers: Winged termites emerging indoors or outside from swarming tubes immediately

                     adjacent to the structure are often the first sign of a Nasutitermes Termites infestation during the wet/rainy

                     season. 

               Ø   Wood damage: A common indication of subterranean infestation is the presence of dark areas or blisters

                     in wood flooring. However, subterranean termite damage can go unnoticed because the termites only eat

                     the spring wood leaving the grain and exterior surface intact.

 

RECOGNITION

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• Nasutitermes soldiers have brown or cream-coloured bodies with dark brown, distinctive cone-shaped heads

• Dimensions of female termites are generally larger than in males, one example being that female wing length is 1.35 times that of the male.

• Total length of soldiers may range from 3-4 mm.

• Nests may be dark-brown, large and rounded and can be accompanied by narrow tunnel-like paths alongside trees, walls of houses and other structures.

 

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HABITS

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• Colonies are found in various habitats: coastal areas such as mangroves, inland regions like rain forests as well as residential areas; located at ground level, in large trees, logs or other solid structures.

• Nests are good indicators as to colony age/growth as they tend to sprout more extensions with increasing population size during the wet/rainy season, which is also when the winged forms emerge for their crepuscular flights;  thus the name "Rain Flies"

• These termites feed on cellulose in material such as trees, roots, fences, furniture/scrap wood, shrubs and paper.

• These substrates may be wet, dry and/or partially decomposed wood like fallen logs, broken branches, construction plywood and framing. 

• They also have been identified as a pest towards a variety of crops, notably citrus, fruit and palm trees.

 

CONTROL

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Treatments are to be done by trained professional

 

• If any of the signs of damage / infestation are seen. Contact Rehoboth Ltd immediately 627 -0130 for FREE consultation to determine entry points and levels of infestation.

• Since infestation is direct and not via the ground, the most successful methods of control are internal and external spray treatment, or local treatment of foliage or replacement of the infested wood.

• Localised infestations may be treated via injection or surface treatment with termiticide which are labelled for these termites.