Termites in Thailand

Termites

Termites, or "white ants" are very common in Thailand.  You can see their mounds everywhere and when they swarm, they can't be overlooked.

These social insects eat anything made of cellulose, but mostly they eat wood.  

If you came from a Northern country, you may have had a home made of wood and termites may have been only a minor hazard.

Here in Thailand, most homes are made of concrete and steel; termites are a big reason.

You may occasionally see homes made of teak (a termite resistant wood), but they are usually the "historic" type or more expensive than concrete.

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Stands of construction quality teak wood are more and more scarce nowadays and there is a movement in the kingdom to preserve the forests.  This is why utility poles and fence posts -- in fact practically everything made of wood in many other countries  -- are here made of alternatives like concrete, metal and plastic.

There are many pest control companies throughout Thailand that specialize in termite control.  Click here for a directory.

Termites Are Eating Bark from Live Tree

Closer View: Termites Plaster Mud Onto the Surface of the Tree to Protect Them from Predators & the Sun; Here the Mud Has Partly Fallen Away

Termite Damage to House Siding

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Video of Termites Swarming

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More Information:

[Termite Invasion]

[Forum Posts on Termites & Remedies]

[Article from University of Hawaii Termite Project]

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