How to Raise Termites

Raising termites is a project not many people consider undertaking, yet people who are raising termite-eating creatures--among which are armadillos, some frogs and toads, some birds, lizards, bats, anteaters, badgers and monkeys--often raise termites rather than pay for expensive commercially-raised insects. Termites need wood to eat and water to keep their bodies moisturized. A termite culture is not difficult to construct.

Things You'll Need

  • Heavy plastic container, approximately 5 by 12 inches by 5 inches deep
  • Heavy plastic container, approximately 7 by 14 inches by 6 or more inches deep
  • Unbleached paper towel
  • Popsicle sticks
  • Soil
  • 3 pine boards, approximately 5 by 5 by 3/4 inches
  • Hole saw
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Instructions

  1. Raising Termites

    • 1

      Cut a hole in the middle of one of the 5 by 5-inch pine boards. The hole should be approximately three inches in diameter.

    • 2

      Gouge out four straight grooves along the sides of the cut hole, two on each side of the hole on top of the wood and two on the flip side. The grooves should be dug out about 1/6-inch into the wood, along the grain. Each groove should start at the wood's edge and reach the hole, then pick up again on the other side of the hole. This will allow the termites to move around the enclosure through the grooves.

    • 3

      Soak all three pieces of wood in water overnight. Soak the popsicle sticks with it.

    • 4

      In the smaller heavy plastic container, lay one piece of wood flat on one side of the container. Lay the wooden piece with the hole on top of that.

    • 5

      Pack the hole with unbleached brown paper toweling. Wet the paper and put the third board on the top of the other two boards.

    • 6

      Lay about an inch of soil next to the wooden pieces in the second half of the heavy plastic container.

    • 7

      Lay the wet popsicle sticks on top of the soil. Repeat, laying soil on the sticks and then more popsicle sticks.

    • 8

      Place the termites on the soil. They will get their moisture by moving into the paper towel area through the grooves in the middle piece of wood. They will eat the popsicle sticks for nourishment.

    • 9

      Place the small plastic container inside the larger container. Put at least two inches of water in the larger container. This will act as a barrier to keep the termites in the small container.

    • 10

      Close the large container and place it in a dark spot.

    • 11

      Add more water to the paper towel every few days. Add more popsicle sticks when the old ones have been eaten. Always soak the new popsicle sticks in water for several hours before adding them to the container.

    • 12

      When the termites eat through the wooden boards, which they eventually will, begin the process again, creating a fresh culture.