Termites or white ants are detritivores and create a balance in the ecosystem by eating up dead plants and wood, but in case they attack homes or human living spaces they can destroy million dollar properties in a matter of few months. They look like ants but belong to the cockroach family and live in colonies. Every member of the termite colony has specific tasks, and their shape and size depend on what variety of tasks they perform.
The usual termite size range from 1/4 to 1/2 an inch in length whereas queen and king are a little big, ranging from an inch to few more centimetres. The worker termites have a soft and pale coloured body. Reproductive termites’ have two prominent pairs of wings through which they can fly. Termites feed themselves on dead or living trees, wood, paper, plastic, drywall or even fabric. They are always in search of cellulose containing materials and a moist environment.
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There are almost 360 species of termites found in Australia, and it is challenging to identify the exact type of termite. To simplify the classification process-termites have been divided into four classes depending upon their food preferences and living habits.
Termites are not toxic, but still, they bring serious health problems. Also, you can go through economic and asset loss due to these tiny creatures.