Types of Termites in Singapore
Did you know that there are 2 termite classifications?
- Higher Termites Feed on soil, bacteria and plant matter. Beneficiary to the environment!
- Lower Termite Are often called “silent destroyers” as they are ones causing destruction! aka the pests that invade your homes/buildings.
There are 3 common lower termite species in Singapore that invades properties. 2 being the major causes of destruction in Singapore!
1. Subterranean Termites
WHERE THEY LIVE
Be it underground and aboveground, as long as there are moisture and soil, their colonies can have as many as 2 million termites. They build tunnels to lock in the darkness and moisture as we travel between the food source and our home. When it’s time to expand our empire, they send winged termites off to start new colonies.
WHAT THEY EAT (AND DESTROY)
We get nutrients from cellulose, the main substance found in wood and plants. We eat anything from rotting wood to books, boxes, and furniture. To get where we want, we can even gnaw our way through plastic pipes.
Signs of Subterranean Termites
DO NOT DISTURB THE MUD TUBES
They will migrate & infest other areas- Keep wooden furniture/items away from the house structure
- Fix water leakages immediately
- Remove and replace infected items after treatment is complete
- For landed properties, detect termite presence early by installing an advanced monitoring & baiting system Ask IKARI to find out more!
2. Drywood Termites
WHERE THEY LIVE
Unlike the rest, they don’t need moisture or soil to survive. They eat and live in dry wood like wood panels, items, furniture and structures.
WHAT THEY EAT (AND DESTROY)
Their colony only grows up to thousands in numbers. They eat across the wood grain and can destroy wooden support beams to cause serious damage like a collapsing an entire building.
Signs of Drywood Termites
- Ensure wooden items/furniture have been treated for termites before purchasing
- Fix water leakages immediately
- Remove and replace infected items after treatment is complete
- For landed properties, detect termite presence early by installing an advanced monitoring & baiting system Ask IKARI to find out more!
3. Dampwood Termites
WHERE THEY LIVE
They need moisture to survive but they don’t need soil. They make their homes and eat their way through wood with high moisture levels like decaying wood and old tree stumps.
So they are mostly snug in the arms of nature.
WHAT THEY EAT (AND DESTROY)
They also get nutrients from cellulose but they don’t build mud tubes to get around. By the time their shedded wings or faecal pallets are spotted, their colony would have grown beyond repair. .
HOW TO STOP THEM
- Fix water leakages immediately, especially near landscape and trees on/around your property
- Remove and/or replace any damp or damaged wood within the vicinity
Have a termite issue occurring in your place that needs solving?
Do you need a customised Termite Management Programme?
Often misspelled as “termits”, termites are also known as white ants because of their appearance. While termites are notorious for the damage they cause, they can actually bite as well! Though not toxic, a termite’s sting, as well its droppings or saliva, can trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks.
When it comes to termite control in Singapore, your heating and ventilation systems can actually provoke or aggravate allergic reactions to termites by spreading dust particles, especially from a termite nest, around the house.
A common misunderstanding of termite treatment in Singapore is to use fumigation. Knowing how to get rid of termites stems from experience, skills and technology. Because of the level of destruction termites can cause, prevention is better than cure. It is best to get a thorough inspection of your house every year.
IKARI Treatment
When you factor in the amount of stress, anxiety and monetary losses that come with a termite infestation, investing in a professional termite treatment is definitely worthwhile.
Backed by Japanese expertise, IKARI has one of the latest technology in Singapore for dealing with termites. Our high-tech equipment enables us to gauge moisture levels as well as thermal sources within the walls and wooden brackets that indicate termite presence --- all these without tearing down your walls!
After a thorough inspection of both interior and exterior foundation and infrastructure, our team analyzes the findings. We then work with you to design a comprehensive treatment exclusive and most strategic to your setting and if any, termite situation, effectively saving thousands of dollars.
- Prevention Tips
- Ensure new wooden items/furniture have been treated for termites before you purchase them
- Quarantine new wooden items/furniture before bringing them into your house
- Add a coat of paint to finished wood as protection against wood-boring insects
- Isolate infected wooden items/furniture immediately to prevent cross-contamination
- For landed properties, installing an additional advanced monitoring & baiting system will help detect termite presence
