Termite Pheromones
Termites communicate through several means of communication, not including sight – because they’re blind except for the queen and king. Termites communicate through pheromones and use “trail pheromones” to manage their colony and social structure. Within a termite colony, termite pheromones are used to:
- Mark food trails: when a worker termite locates a food source, it will begin making a trail to its exact location, leading other termites to the source.
- Regulates the number of the caste: the queen can release pheromones to stop worker termites from becoming reproductive to keep the colony organized.
- Avoid danger: if danger is lurking, termites can release a special pheromone to warn other termites about the danger coming.
- Queen replacement: the king can release a pheromone to call for fertile female(s) to become the next queen once the current queen is dead.
Fun with Termites
In January’s training meeting Dr. Philip G. Koehler, Endowed Professor of Urban Entomology at the University of Florida educated our Pest Specialists on the different types of termites in Florida, a new termite species in South FL, how to identify them and distinguish them apart from other termite species as well as ants and had a hands-on experiment with termite trails and pheromones.
Termite pheromones are generally like blue (pen) ink which Dr. Koehler explained. Our Termite Pest Specialists can also locate a termite infestation by these pheromone trails as well. If you see a blue trail that has an odor, call our Pest Specialists immediately for a termite inspection.
Dr. Koehler showed us in the video that much termites will follow circle of ink from a pen as if it were their own pheromone trail.
Termite Social Structure
- Worker termites – provide food for the colony
- Soldier termites – protect the colony, accounts for 2% of a termite gallery
- Reproductive termites – form new colonies, swarmer termites
More about Dr. Philip G. Koehler, Endowed Professor
