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Termite Introduction
Show students a picture of a termite. Explain that a termite was one of the pests that we explored during the first pest lesson. Termites are insects. Introduce what makes
an insect an insect. Use the picture of the termite to point out each body part as they are discussed.
All insects have:
- six legs (three pair on each side of the thorax)
- three body parts (head, thorax, abdomen)
- two antennae (feelers on the top of their head)
- most, not all, insects have wings.
Termite Discovery Time
Note: If you were able to arrange for a termite control specialist to come to your classroom as a guest speaker, introduce him/her to the students and involve them in this
lesson as much as possible.
Termites up close: hands-on exploration
Pass out termite specimens and hand lenses, preferably one specimen and one lens per student.
- What does a termite really look like up-close?
- What shape is it?
- What color is it?
- Count the legs, count the body parts, and count the antennae.
- Does it have wings?
- Look at the mouthpart, or pincers, of the termite. What does it look like?
Termite mouths
The termite mouthpart is a special adaptation that these insects have that allow them to eat wood and wood products. They have hard, saw-toothed jaws that help them to eat
lumber, wallpaper, plastics and fabric made of plant fibers. Worker termites are small, creamy white insects. They are the most numerous and the cause of all the termite
damage.
Where do termites live?
Termites can be found in almost every state as well as Mexico and parts of Canada. Termites build their nests in the ground. They construct mud tubes that are used to explore
for food and connect their underground nest to that food source. They can enter a building without direct wood contact with the soil through such tubes. They can find their
way into a structure through an opening as small as 1/32 of an inch (the size of a pin head!). Winged Reproductives are termites that leave the colony to mate, reproduce,
and start new colonies.
What do termites eat?
Termites feed on cellulose that is found in woody plants. So in the wild, they eat woody plants like trees. When they move in with humans, they eat wood and paper products
such as books, cardboard, boxes and a variety of other items. Even buildings with steel framing and masonry walls are termite targets because of the wood door and window
frames, cabinets and shelving within the buildings.
Why are termites considered pests? What kinds of risks are associated with termites?
Termites eat non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week! These pests cause a lot of damage to a lot of homes and buildings every year.
What is pest management? What is a termite inspection?
Pest management is a way that people can control pests in their home. Pest control managers are trained and educated experts who know how to manage pests in an environmentally
or earth-friendly manner. Pest control managers help us find out what the pest is and how the problem can be treated. Termite inspectors are pest control managers that work
with specific pests, termites. Any building can be susceptible to termite infestation. A termite inspection is when professional termite inspectors come to your home and find
areas where a termite attack is most likely to occur. If termites are found, the specialist can design a treatment plan to control current infestations and to protect your home
from future infestations. Some things that a termite inspector might do include removing scrap wood and paper debris, improving drainage away from the home, breaking
wood-to-soil contact, and more.
Build-A-Termite Activity
Create a large circle with the children. Using the children as "body parts" begin to build-a-termite (a worker termite) in the middle of the circle. Ask for
volunteers to be the termite's three body parts: one head, one thorax, and one abdomen.
- Body: Have each child kneel down and curve into a "ball" forming three body parts in a row.
- Legs: Have six volunteers act as the termite's legs. Have them lay down with their heads next to the thorax and legs facing out (have them keep their legs together as
each child represents one leg).
- Antennae: Ask for two children to be the antennae. Have them lay down with their heads next to the head body part and facing out.
- Pincers: Ask for two children to act as the termite's powerful jaws, or pincers. These kids can kneel inside the antennae next to the head body part. Have these two
kids hold out their arms directly in front of them and place fold their hands together. Then have the two "pincers" touch each other.
And, voilá, you have created a living worker termite! You might want to do this activity two times, so everyone will have a chance to observe and build-a-termite.
Coloring Book
If you did Intro to Pests lesson earlier, now read and review the completed Pests A - Z Coloring Book.
Assessment
- Test students using the attached pest quiz.
- Play Hangman using termite and other pest-related words.
- Add termite and other pest-related words to spelling lists.
- Have students journal about what they learned.
- Have students draw a picture of a termite.
- Conduct a spelling bee using termite and other pest-related words.
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