Top 10 Subterranean Species In Malaysia
- termitepromy
- Jan 10, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 23, 2023
There are many species of termite found in West Malaysia, including both subterranean and non-subterranean species. The exact number of species is not known, but it is estimated to be over 200 species. Among the subterranean termite species, some of the most common ones found in West Malaysia include the Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi), black termite (Macrotermes gilvus), and several species of Odontotermes termites. It's worth noting that some termite species may have different regional names or be referred to by different scientific names, which can sometimes lead to confusion. Below are the top 10 Subterranean Species commonly found in West Malaysia.
Coptotermes gestroi: also known as the Asian subterranean termite, is a species of subterranean termite commonly found in Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia. This termite species is known for its destructive behavior and can cause significant damage to wooden structures, including buildings, furniture, and trees. The worker termites of C. gestroi are yellowish-brown in color, while the soldiers have large mandibles and a darker coloration. C. gestroi is often found in urban areas where it can easily infest buildings and cause damage to wooden structures. It is also known to have multiple colonies in the same area and is difficult to eradicate once it has established a presence.
Macrotermes gilvus: This species is also known as the black termite and is found in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. They build large, conspicuous mounds and are known to feed on dead wood.
Odontotermes spp.: This is a group of subterranean termite species found in Malaysia. They are known for building distinctive mud tubes and are commonly found in the soil and wood in forests.
Microcerotermes spp.: Another group of subterranean termite species found in Malaysia, these termites are known for building nests in soil and wood. They are also known to cause damage to wooden structures.
Globitermes spp.: This is a group of subterranean termite species found in Malaysia. They are known for building large, spherical nests in the soil and are commonly found in forested areas.
Nasutitermes spp.: Another group of subterranean termite species found in Malaysia, these termites are known for building nests in the soil and wood. They have distinctive long, pointed heads and are sometimes called "nose" termites.
Heterotermes spp.: This is a group of subterranean termite species found in Malaysia. They are known for building underground nests and are commonly found in forests.
Amitermes spp.: Another group of subterranean termite species found in Malaysia, these termites are known for their pale color and are commonly found in the soil and wood of forests.
Microhodotermes spp.: This is a group of subterranean termite species found in Malaysia. They are known for their small size and are commonly found in the soil and wood of forests.
Schedorhinotermes spp.: Another group of subterranean termite species found in Malaysia, these termites are known for building underground nests and are commonly found in forests.
Subterranean termites cause the most damage than any other termite species.
Subterranean Species
Subterranean termites cause the most damage than any other termite species. These termites build distinctive tunnels, often referred to as “mud tubes,” to reach food sources and protect themselves from open air. They eat wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using their saw-toothed jaws to bite off small fragments of wood one piece at a time. Over time, subterranean termites can critically damage a building structure, sometimes causing a total collapse. Subterranean termites threaten homeowners across the country,
Where do they build their colony nest
The subterranean termites develop their colonies and maintain their headquarters in the ground. They build their tunnels through earth and around obstructions to reach the wood. They must also have a constant source of moisture, whether from the wood on which they are feeding or the soil where they nest.
Subterranean termites normally do not establish themselves in buildings by being carried there in lumber; they primarily enter from ground nests after the building has been constructed.
However, the Formosan termite, is adept at initiating aboveground infestations and nests in structures where wood remains wet for a prolonged period, such as from roof leaks.
Sign of Subterranean Termite Infestation
Telltale signs of subterranean termite presence are the mud tubes built by these termite over the surfaces of the foundation or other exposed areas to reach the wood above.
Another sign is the swarming of winged adults early in the spring or fall. In the wood itself, the termites make galleries that generally follow the grain, leaving a shell of sound wood to conceal their activities. Because the galleries seldom show on the wood surfaces, probing with a pick or knife is advisable if the presence of termites is suspected.
Subterranean Main Castes:
Subterranean termites are social insects that live in colonies containing caste systems. Typical colonies have three distinct castes: Reproductives, Workers and Soldiers.
1. Reproductive Termite
The Reproductives, including the queen and king, are responsible for mating and populating the colony. A queen is the largest and most important termite found in the colony, producing up to 1,000 eggs per day. The queen may live up to 50 years.
Termite Queen may live up to 50 years and able to produce up to 30,000 eggs per day
During certain times of the year, “swarmers” or known as flying termite will emerge from colonies. These winged adult reproductives leave the current colony to form their own. They typically only produce a few eggs in the first year, but once the colony’s queen matures she can produce up to 30,000 eggs a day. It typically takes several years, often between five and 10, before a colony reaches a mature size of at least 60,000 termites and up to few millions termites depending on the species.
The appearance of ‘flying ants’ or their shed wings is an indication that a termite colony may be near and causing serious damage.
2. Workers Termite
The workers are the largest group in most termite colonies, they may consist of 90% the entire colony. Their job is repairing the nest, grooming and caring for nest mates, and foraging for food. They are the one that cause all the damages as they consume cellulose in wood. Workers may live one to two years. The survival of the colony rely heavily on workers ability to digest cellulose and produce digestible nutrition to feed the entire colony.
The survival of the colony rely heavily on workers ability to digest cellulose and produce digestible nutrition to feed the entire colony.
3. Soldiers Termite
Soldiers, equipped with huge armored heads and sharp, enlarged mandibles, defend the colony from attack. They do not consume wood. Soldiers may live one to two years.
How to properly exterminate Subterranean Termite Colony
The use of insecticide spray on subterranean termite might have a limited impact on the colony due to the size of the nest. Insecticide spray become ineffective when user improperly dilute the concentrated liquid with insufficient amount of water and causes the chemical dosage higher than necessary. The purpose of insecticide spray is hoping the termite might bring the chemical substance back to their colony and expose the rest of the nest through grooming and feeding which would kill more of the termites. However a lot of times this method failed because the exposed termite died before reaching the nest.
Use of baiting system to target the entire colony. Because of the size of subterranean termite colonies, the use of termiticide might only have a limited impact on the overall population. Baiting subterranean termites has become an increasingly popular way to tackle an infestation, and can also contribute to longer term deterrence and protection. Baits are slow-acting insecticides which are consumed and then brought back to the colony where the substance spreads out across the wider termite population.
How to prevent Subterranean Termite infestation
Anti Termite Barrier
As subterranean termite live in the ground, they usually enter your property through crack in foundation or brick wall or follow the plumbing system.
The most effective preventive measure would be to create an anti termite barrier around the perimeter by injecting termiticide deep into the soil. When termite come into contact with the treated soil, they will expose themselves to the chemical substances.
The chemical substances contain non repellent properties, hence termite will not able to detect the substance. They will unwary bring the substance back to their nest and expose the substance to the rest of the colony. This will led to the total collapse of the entire nest.
Termite Interceptor Station
One of the most popular techniques for monitoring and controlling subterranean termites is the use of in-ground interceptor stations.
This method is advantageous for those who does not want to use termiticide in their garden due to organic planting. This treatment typically involves installing termite bait stations in strategic locations surrounding the property usually 10 feet apart each station.
As the name implies, in-ground baiting stations need to be planted in the soil. They are generally more common and effective than above-ground stations, although above-ground stations may be more appropriate for certain situations.
Termite bait stations utilize termite bait treated with or without low doses of slow-acting, non-repellent termiticides. Regular inspection is required to detect the presence of termite in the station in order to carry out extermination treatment by inserting treated bait to the station.
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