| It seems contradictory to say that termites are | | | | You're probably wondering, in what ways are they |
| good. People are horrified of them, and home buyers | | | | ecologically valuable? |
| who are looking for homes will ask the seller if there | | | | Benefit # 1: because they eat wood and are quite |
| are termites in the house or if there are signs of | | | | skillful at it, this means they have the capability to |
| termite infestation. Most times a "yes" answer will | | | | break down wood. By breaking down wood, they |
| make buyers think twice. | | | | return nutrients to the soil. Also, by eating wood, |
| The truth is, termites are bad news, not only | | | | dead trees are not left to pile one on top of the |
| because they're crawly pesky creatures, but also | | | | other over the years. |
| because they could ruin an beautiful home over many | | | | Benefit # 2: termites contribute to plant health. By |
| years if they are left to fester and multiply. If you | | | | recycling wood and feeding the soil with nutrients, |
| know something about termite colonies and how | | | | they make the soil more porous. |
| they're formed, the number of colonies they establish | | | | Benefit # 3: again, by the very nature of their |
| inside and outside homes is mind-boggling! | | | | wood-eating activity, termites produce nitrogen and |
| The Universe of Termites | | | | distribute it to the ecosystem. Their value is |
| Before discussing the reasons why termites are good | | | | especially evident in forest ecosystems. Scientists |
| - especially when we refer to ecological | | | | explain this by saying that termites are somehow |
| considerations - let's take a peek into the universe of | | | | related to bio-geo chemical cycling of nutrients. |
| these creatures. Some facts are worth noting: | | | | Bio-geo chemical cycles include carbon, oxygen, |
| One, termites are social insects (sometimes too | | | | nitrogen, sulfurus and other compounds. When |
| social). Their habitat is the so-called "colony" and each | | | | termites forage for food, they also build tunnels that |
| colony can contain thousands of them. These | | | | can be conduits for bacterial and fungal activity. Fungi |
| colonies are established under the soil and spread | | | | are also known to have the capability of releasing |
| throughout soil; imagine a row of townhomes in | | | | nitrogen, iron, calcium, zinc and other elements. |
| several blocks of a booming neighborhood. | | | | Benefit # 4: as a corollary to benefit # 2, scientists |
| Two, termites have a hierarchical structure. Some are | | | | Wood and Sands (1978) say that termites have the |
| born to be leaders, some to be followers. | | | | ability to influence their structural and chemical |
| Termite experts and insect scientists say that each | | | | environment, and this influences vegetation in a |
| colony is characterized by three types of castes: | | | | significant manner because of their nitrogen-giving |
| workers, soldiers and reproductives. Each of these | | | | nature. |
| castes carries out specific tasks in their milieu. | | | | Benefit # 5: entomologists in Australia and other |
| Three, termite workers constitute the largest | | | | countries point out that termite activity is critical for |
| population. They're the ones that eat wood, roam | | | | regulating soil processes such as water and nutrient |
| around for food and water and build shelters. Termite | | | | distribution and maintenance. By performing this role, |
| soldiers in turn take care of defending colonies. | | | | termites contribute to biodiversity. They make it |
| Termite reproductives, as you may have already | | | | possible for creatures like reptiles and frogs to have |
| guessed, produce offspring and usually take over | | | | a steady food supply. |
| when something happens to the king or queen. | | | | So before you condemn these hard-working |
| Positive Aspects of Termites | | | | creatures and subject them to pesticides and other |
| Many people will probably give you a puzzled look if | | | | chemicals, think of what they do to balance the |
| you say that termites are beneficial because 99.9% | | | | elements of nature and how they feed and nourish |
| of the population will say that they are destroyers of | | | | other living organisms. We need healthy and lush |
| homes. They crawl their way into the warm spots of | | | | vegetation. An increasing number of people are |
| your home and will devour your wood. | | | | turning to organic and everything soil-grown instead |
| When detected indoors, termites need to be | | | | of buying processed food in the supermarket. |
| eradicated and controlled through pest control | | | | Thanks to termite activity, our soil is able to produce |
| programs because the damage they cause to | | | | food. |
| structures can cost billions of dollars annually. | | | | If you find termites in your house, then by all means |
| However, when we look outside our homes and think | | | | get rid of them. They do damage homes, but you |
| of flora and fauna and the rest of nature, they bring | | | | need not consider them as pests that have to be |
| about significant ecological value. | | | | banned completely from the face of the earth! |