Though the thought of termites in your home may make you uneasy, termites have been a vital part of earth's ecology for millions of years. They play an important role in the environment, breaking down trees and allowing new growth to begin. But when these critters target your home and do more harm than good, the pest control team at Dick's Fumigation Services in Wailuku, HI, will always be there to help.

Though termites may seem simple, these five facts prove otherwise:

• Provide Important Work: Termites are useful decomposers, breaking down plant fibers to turn decaying trees into soil. Their guts contain microorganisms that break down tough plant materials, allowing them to digest wood. Termites keep forests healthy by aerating and improving the soil
• Use Chemical Cues: Termites use chemical scents called pheromones to communicate with each other and control the behavior of other termites. They have glands on their chest that leave scent trails that guide other termites, and each colony has a distinct scent.
• Groom Themselves: Termites try to stay clean, spending a lot of time grooming each other. Grooming is important to their survival, keeping parasites and bacteria at bay.
• Active Fathers: Termite fathers stay with the queen, fertilizing her eggs and helping to raise their young. Male termites even help the queen feed young termites predigested food. This is in stark contrast to bee colonies, where males die quickly after mating.
• Prehistoric Family: Termites and cockroaches share a common ancestor from 300 million years ago. The earliest termite fossil dates back to the Cretaceous period.

The experts at Dick’s Fumigation Services will exterminate all unwanted pests from your home or business. Give them a call at (808) 244-7496 to speak to a member of their team, or visit their website to learn more about their pest control services.