Termite Species & Life
Termite species and life cycle
Discover the main termite species present in France, their way of life and the signs of infestation to know in order to better protect your wooden structures.
Termites: 
The different species of termites found in France
In France , 6 species of termites have been described.
Among them are five species of subterranean termites belonging to the genus Reticulitermes and one species of termite known as " dry wood " Kalotermes flavicolis .
An imported tropical "drywood" termite species, Cryptotermes brevis , is sometimes found in homes (about a dozen cases recorded).
However, this species does not develop naturally.
Subterranean termites live in the soil and come up into the wood on which they feed.
They belong to the genus Reticulitermes (family Rhinotermidites) .
Five species live in French territory and attack the wood used in buildings.
• Reticulitermes flavipes (formerly R. santonensis ), the Saintonge termite , lives in natural conditions between the north of the Gironde and the Vendée, it also occurs in the more northern departments ( Loire Valley, Brittany, Normandy, Paris region, Centre), it goes up the Garonne and the Tarn (Albi) and follows the coast to the Basque Country.
This species became established in Charente Maritime several centuries ago; it originates from North America.
It can be distinguished from the others by a few morphological peculiarities, detectable with the aid of a binocular magnifying glass.
Reticulitermes grassei , the Landes termite , lives primarily in the forests of the Aquitaine Basin and Charente-Maritime , but some infestations have been reported in urban areas of regions further north (Poitou-Charentes, Centre).
Reticulitermes banyulensis , the Banyuls termite, lives in Roussillon .
Reticulitermes lucifugus lives in the coastal forests of Provence, from La Ciotat to the Italian border . Its subspecies, Reticulitermes lucifugus corsicus, is found in Corsica and Sardinia , as well as occasionally on the mainland (in urban areas).
Reticulitermes-urbis , a newly described termite species, has been discovered in urban areas in southeastern France (from the Marseille region in the west to Italy in the east) . It is also very likely an accidental introduction, probably from southeastern Europe.
All these species are likely to attack buildings and have spread widely beyond their natural ranges, mainly due to human activities.
Several species even coexist in certain urban areas (Bordeaux, Marseille, etc.) .
Drywood termites nest directly in the wood they consume.
Drywood termites nest directly in the wood they consume.
Only one species lives naturally in metropolitan France and belongs to the genus Kalotermes (family Kalotermidites).
Kalotermes flavicollis , also called the yellow-necked termite , is found mainly in the departments around the Mediterranean.
Its presence in buildings is anecdotal, and its development has few economic consequences compared to that of subterranean termites.
The termite species found in Paris is commonly called the Saintonge termite.
According to the latest research, this species originated in the United States. Two hundred years ago, the termites arrived by boat and settled in the Charente region, before migrating to the capital about fifty years ago, discreetly nesting in firewood or furniture.
While no buildings are currently in danger of collapsing, some are beginning to be eaten away from the inside.
*CNRS research
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Termites are social insects that live in colonies; there are thousands of different species.
A termite colony is made up of several categories of individuals, called castes.
CASTES: the queen, the king, the soldiers, the workers, the nymphs, and the eggs.
Different functions of the castes:
The queen and the king : breeder
The soldiers : defend the colony
The workers : majority of domestic tasks, including searching for and procuring food
Workers make up 80 to 85% of the colony
- The workers prospect randomly and by prospecting an increasingly wider area.
- They leave the nest regularly and establish several feeding points around the colony.
The soldiers constitute 5 to 10% of the colony
- They appear in greater numbers at the end of the elimination process
Secondary or Neotenic reproductives :
- They become active producers in the event of failure or separation of the primary couple
Primary breeders:
- Ensure the creation of new colonies through swarming
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Safe in the darkness, termites can peacefully enjoy their favorite food: the wood of your houses!
These discreet and organized insects cause damage that is often invisible for years.
Discover our professional solutions to detect and protect your wooden structures sustainably.
Your photos
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Termite trap check
Checking a trap and the consumption of the curative bait
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Termite cords/cords
Formation of a termite barrier on the wall facade
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Tree stumps - termite activity
Placement of termite bait in the hollow cavities of the tree stump
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Termite-Ator Station
Installation of a Termite-Ator Station
