TERMITE TROUBLE RISES DUE TO FLOODWATER SUBSIDE

By Farhat Ali

Termites are the creature that can breed in different environments. In these environments, the survival of termites underwater is observed for an extended amount of time. It is because termites need moisture to survive for a long time and this happens often time due to floodwater.

Hurricane Florence subsides that brings floodwater with it, the residents and the government have a lot to face in cleaning up. As the crews do their work, they face the danger of little termites due to severe storms. These termites prove the cause of fatal diseases as they can survive more in this moisture situation. They can hold their breath for about 20 hours and can drown if flood water persists for more days but most won’t. The rest of the time they try to survive in tree holes, wood, and in the walls of houses.

TERMITES CAN DROWN IN WATER FOR A LONG TIME

Dr. Gregg Henderson believes that in a flood situation, these termites are not able to move in an upward direction to the ground. Instead, these termites keep themselves away from drowning for the time being by staying in a static position to preserve oxygen. In this motionless condition, they can survive in the water for up to 16 to 30 hours, depending on the type of termite.

The survival strategy of termites breathe is along the sides of their body, which works through a system of holes (spiracles). These little holes help them to take oxygen and to exhale carbon dioxide. Besides, for extended periods of time, termites can close their spiracles if necessary.

            In floods and hurricanes, termites make trouble a nightmare. These termites make the trees topple and the walls of houses easier to collapse. This condition gets more severe when climate change keep fueling faster wind speeds, torrential rainfall and flooding, and the hurricanes became more powerful.

   Termite seems to be more problematic when the residents of flood-stricken areas already facing destruction and a massive cleanup. Termite issue is the major in these circumstances when people have to remold their homes after a flood.

TERMITES AFFECTED MASSIVE AREAS IN THE PAST

In the last few years, devastation to people and property is observed. The United States was devastated by massive flooding events from storms and heavy hurricanes. Although some populations of termites couldn’t survive, subterranean termites have many methods to survive in flood situations also. It is obvious that flooding from a hurricane like Florence is destructive for the residents but not for termites. The one good thing about these subterranean and other termites is that they don’t spread disease, “unless you count mental stress caused by entomophobia a disease,” Forschler said.

SUGGESTIONS TO CONTROL TERMITES AFTER FLOODWATER SUBSIDE

 In order to repair the damaged houses, this infected wood should be transferred far away, to get rid of these termites permanently. In order to be more secure and to remold homes, termite control services and pest control services are provided through management professions that can suggest appropriate steps for remediation of star pest controls if needed.