Get in Touch With Us
Learn more about the different type of termite species found throughout Malaysia. Call Innovative Pest Management to control and eliminate termite infestation permanently.
Most Common Termite Species
Termites in Malaysia (Anai Anai)
In Malaysia, there are three highly social species of termites in Malay, anai anai live in colonies. Overall, there are approximately 2,500 species, primarily found in tropical regions of North America. These termites species in Malaysia have "castes" consisting of queens, workers, and soldiers, each with their own roles within the colony. Only the reproductive alates have wings, which they shed after flying away to mate and establish a new colony.
Their food source is mainly wood and that can compromise the structural integrity and safety of buildings structures. Although they are sometimes identify for ants, they have different dietary preferences and feed on the cellulose in wood. Their activities are difficult to detect from the surface, making prevention nearly impossible. They meticulously construct mud trails leading to wooden structures, gradually destroying them over time.
Wood materials that come in contact with soil provide an ideal entry point. Resulting in significant damage and property loss. Therefore, signs of infestation should not be ignore or treat with do-it-yourself methods. To effectively address infestation, it is crucial to understand their behaviour, which varies depending on the species.
Engaging professional pest control services is the best solution to end the termite life cycle permanently. Stay vigilant and protect your asset from unforeseen damages and repairs with having a regular inspection and prevention.
URGENT RESPONSE
The Lifecycle, Dietary & Habitat
Characteristics of Termites
They are social insects that form nest colonies found all over the world. These nests can be underground, in mounds, within wood structures, or even in property. They typically use dirt, soil, and plant materials to construct their nests.
Lifecycle
After mating, the queen termite lays 6 to 12 eggs within a few days or weeks. Over time, she can lay many more eggs, reaching up to a thousand per day. During the egg stage, the termite eggs are small, white, oval-shaped, and well concealed within the nest. The young termite nymphs are carefully care for by the workers.
Most fully developed nymphs become adult termite workers. Some individuals develop into reproductive termites swarms, growing wings and eyes while darkening in colour. Their lifecycle, from egg to adult, takes at least a year to complete.
Anatomy
The most common type of species found in Malaysia is the subterranean termite, notorious and the most destructive. The two species of subterranean are the Eastern Subterranean (Reticulitermes Flavipes) and Asian Subterranean (Coptotermes Gestroi). Dry wood termites, as their name suggests, require less moisture to survive. These species of termite can live feeding on wooden furniture, doors, frames, and kitchen cabinets.
During swarming season, these flying males and females search for new nests, boring small holes to penetrate wood. Although drywood termites cause less extreme damage compare to subterranean. Effective control measures methods are available for infestations. Dampwood species thrive in wood with excessive moisture and seek out areas with water intrusion to establish colonies.
Leaking roofs and wood in contact with the ground are conducive environments for them. Dampwood species use their faecal pellets to protect their colony from the air. The moisture in wet wood provides additional protection as the faecal pellets easily stick to the nest's walls. Dampwood species enter through holes or cracks to initiate infestations.
Dietary
Their food preferences vary depending on the species. For instance, drywood species prefers to feed on dry wooden structures. Dampwood and subterranean prefers to feed on moist and decaying wood.
On average, a single colony can consume one foot of a 2 by 4 beam within six months. However, even the amount they eat can cause serious damage to structures.
Understanding The Termite Caste
The Termite Colony System
They are organise as a colonies, with each group having its own responsibilities. In Malaysia, there are three types that belong to the subterranean caste, distinguished by their colour. The workers are creamy or milky in colour, while the soldiers have a brown head. The reproductive, also known as the queen and king, are typically darker in colour compared to the rest of the colony.
Alates
In a dampwood colony, there are reproductive (king and queen), soldiers, and alates (swarmers). However, there are no workers, and immature termites assume the duties of workers. The number of immature termites is usually small compared to the other groups. Soldiers in a dampwood colony have large heads and mandibles to defend against predators like ants.
The alates, also known as swarmers, have reproductive functions and are the only ones with wings. During the mating season, the alates fly out of the nest to establish their own colonies. Their mating season usually coincides with the wet season, as it provides optimal living conditions. Once the alates land on a suitable location, they shed their wings and search for a partner.
It takes a few years for the colony to grow before new swarmers start searching for their own nests.
Workers
Worker plays a vital role providing food to the soldiers and reproductives that are unable to feed themselves. The workers forage for cellulose in wood, trees, relying on scents and moisture trails for navigation since they lack eyesight. Soldier are responsible for protecting the colony from potential intrusions by pests like ants or attacks from other colonies. Equipped with large mandibles, they are capable of defending and fighting off any threats.
Soldiers
Additionally, soldiers are able to discharge a white toxic fluid while defending their colony. For drywood termites, the queen lays the first eggs, producing nymphs that eventually become soldiers or reproductive. This type of colony does not have a distinct worker caste. The nymphs feed on the wood, creating tunnels and chambers while pushing out faecal pellets through tunnels.
Drywood termites possess a clean behaviour, leaving their faecal pellets outside the colony or creating mud trails. During the swarming season, they are often identify for ants and unlike ants, drywood possess four wings of equal size. A primary pair of reproductive termites, the king and queen, are responsible for growing the colony. Another pair of reproductive swarmers may leave the colony after 3 to 5 years to start their own.
Contact Professional Help for Termites Control Services
Signs of Termites Infestation In Malaysia
Recognising the signs of termite infestation is crucial to prevent significant damage and ensure safety. Hiring a professional pest control company for regular inspections of your property is highly recommended. Essential to recognise and address warning signs promptly. As failing to do so can result in significant expenses and potential safety hazards.
To safeguard your property, engage the services of a professional pest control company for regular inspections.
Mud Trail
Mud tubes or trails are one of the definite signs of a termite infestation. They build mud trails from the dirt leaving behind faecal matter that resemble saw dust depending on the species. Upon seeing mud trails, tracking may lead to a larger termite infestation.
Damage
These tine creatures can cause a lot of damage to a property and integrity of the building structure. They do not need sleep or breaks and work around the clock through wood tunnels, eating away at the structure of the property. In more severe cases, sudden collapse of building beam of wooden structure.
Sound
Recognising termites sound can be one of the first signs of an infestation. If left uncheck to resolve matter it cause significant damage to your property. The sounds resemble a typewriter, that they produce when they bang their heads to alarm the colony of potential danger.
The Types of Termites Commonly Found in Malaysia
Types of Termite Species
Subterranean Termites (Coptotermes)
These termites are typically 1-10mm in length and have a creamy white to dark brown colour and long, narrow, and oval bodies. Subterranean termites rarely reside below ground and hides well above ground. They are notorious and grow rapidly in population causing costly damages to property owners.
Drywood Termites (Cryptotermes Cynocephalus)
Measuring about 1-12mm in length, drywood termites have straight antennae. They have a range of colours from beige white to darker brown/black and shed their veiny wings during swarming. Their body shape is long, narrow, and oval. You may come across the shed wings, which serves as an indication of their search for a new colony.
Dampwood Termites (Archotermopsidae)
Dampwood termites are typically tiny to small, measuring about 1-15mm in length. They appear pale or often white, with a relatively large and round head on a soft, narrow body. Their superficial resemblance an ant, they are not related and are sometimes refer to as white ants.
