Cockroaches and termites top the league table when it comes to serenading the opposite sex. From mating calls to the release of ph...
Case Studies
Some of the mating rituals of pests can put your first date to shame. Male insects offer gifts, song and even dance to impress the female. But remember, this is not Love Story - this is Fatal Attraction, which can cause many headaches for homeowners.
One thing you must remember is that pests are not picky about where they mate and reproduce. All homes are at risk when it comes to infestation.
Pests such as termites and cockroaches are particularly promiscuous. The sole purpose of these pests is to reproduce and expand their colonies, thereby multiplying the physical and monetary amount of damage they cause. Both pests can be a major threat to health and property.
Female termites release "mating pheromones", much like a perfume, to entice male termites. Once the male locates the enticing female, they break off their wings, symbolising they are a couple. Termites can then build their nests in the structural wood of a home. A queen termite can lay more than 60,000 eggs in her 25-year lifespan. It only takes 50-60 days for these eggs to hatch, so early detection and prevention is key. Termite populations in a colony may exceed a million insects.
Male American cockroaches have to impress their lady-in-waiting before they can mate. These Casanova-like-cockroaches flap their wings, expose their abdomens and even nibble the female. After cockroaches mate, they then set up housekeeping and can quickly infest a building. Females lay approximately 40 eggs each month. Although they do not affect the structure of a home, cockroaches carry bacteria and allergens that can severely affect oneís health.
When it comes to pests in your home you are strongly advised to call in a pest professional to cut the courtship short. A pest control company will be able to inspect and treat possible infestations and provide site visits to your premises thus ensuring that the problem does not return.
Although the threat from termites is not a major issue within the UK - termites are only known to exist in the south-west of England - their mating rituals offer a unique insight into the process of similar insects' reproductive patterns.
Article provided by SDA Pest Control