COMPREHENSION READING: TERMITES

Termites are insects that are harmful to both wood and living plants.They eat the timber of wooden houses and also hard wood like teak and mesanti. They eat books,boxes and furniture.

Termites sometimes attack only the inner wood of trees leaving the outside portion unharmed. Such trees are dangerous because being empty on the inside can easily fall down when they are blown by wind. Sometimes,they eat living plant and can cause a great harm to agricultural crops.

However,termites are useful to man.They help to speed up the process of decay when they feed on dead plant. Making the humus content of the soil to increase. Many termites makes their homes in the soil,this makes their burrowing activities increase the amount of air for breathing.

Termites can be controlled by; checking the wooded part of the house once every few month, preventing them from making nest by treating regularly with chemicals which repel termite. Covering holes and cracks of exterior wooden part with heavy coats of paint.

Soil can also be treated with chemicals to prevent termites from making their nests there.It can be treated by pouring oil solutions or water emulsions of organic insecticides into the soil.

QUESTION

• State the usefulness of termites to man?
• What are the effects of termite to dry wood?
• How do we control termite?
• How does termite speed up plant growth?