Many people aren’t fans of termites in and around their homes. These plant-eating insects can do some major damage to the wood in your home, the structure included.
How does Mother Nature keep these insects in check? How is it that termites have not overrun the earth? The answer is natural predators. So, do raccoons eat termites? This article looks into it
Raccoons do eat termites, termites aren’t a raccoon’s favorite food but these mammals will eat termites if the opportunity presents itself. Termites are a good source of vitamins and minerals such as protein, amino acids, calcium, iron, and essential fatty acids
Table of Contents
Do raccoons eat termites?
Raccoons can be a nuisance, they are opportunistic feeders, which means they will try to eat anything and everything, they will even go through your garbage to get some food.
These animals may be a nuisance to you but they are helpful in nature. The raccoon’s ability to eat almost anything helps keep populations of plants and animals in check, preventing overpopulation.
Raccoons eat a variety of foods, raccoons may not specifically look for termites as a food source but these animals will eat termites if the opportunity presents itself.
Benefits of raccoons eating termites:
Some humans already eat termites and these insects offer good amounts of nutrients. Termites contain around 38 percent protein, are rich in amino acids, calcium, iron, and essential fatty acids.
All these nutrients will boost a raccoons health if they choose to eat these insects
Humans eat these insects steamed, sundried, smoked, or fried but raccoons simply eat the insect as is
Are raccoons pest control?
Raccoons may eat termites but you cannot expect raccoons to handle your pest control. These animals may be able to eat termites but they won’t wipe out the population.
Raccoons don’t wipe out termite populations in the wild, and they won’t wipe out termite populations in your area. They only help to keep the insects from overpopulating,
What kind of animals eat termites?
Termites are commonly found in tropical rain forests, thus, insect-eating animals in tropical rain forests are what eat termites. These include amphibians, birds, insects humans, and other mammals
Insects:
Insects eat other insects all the time. Termites are eaten by insects like wasps, beetles, ants, and flies. Nematodes are parasites that can enter the termite’s body and kill it
Reptiles and amphibians:
Amphibians and reptiles are also big insect eaters, they will eat insects if they are given the chance. Reptiles and amphibians that eat termites include geckos, lizards, worms, skinks, frogs, and snakes
Birds:
Birds are well-known insect eaters. Hundreds of birds all over the world are happy to eat termites. These include eagle owls, doves, sparrows, sterling’s, swift’s, storks, and swallows to name a few
Mammals:
Many mammals are insect-eating animals. Mammals that eat termites include civets, genets, mongooses, aardvarks, and enchiladas,
What attracts termites into the home?
Both animals and insects come into our homes in search of either food, water, shelter, or all of the above, termites do the same
Wood: Drywood and dampwood termites enter your home looking for either dry or damp wood, each has its own preferences.
You: You may be bringing termite-infested wood into your home unknowingly, termites can be brought in on firewood or lumber. This is why it is important to check any wood that comes into your home.
Moisture: The presence of moisture is another reason why termites may be attracted to your home. This moisture can come from leaking pipes, poor airflow, and faulty or aging drainage
Openings: Openings don’t need to be very large for termites to enter through, small cracks are big enough. Cracks can include cracks in foundations, cracks around doors, and cracks around windows
Conclusion
In conclusion, yes, raccoons eat termites. Raccoons eat a variety of different insects and these animals will eat termites if the opportunity presents itself.
Other animals that eat termites include amphibians, birds, insects humans, and other mammals.
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other raccoon related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Do raccoons eat ticks?, Do raccoons eat toads?, Do raccoons eat yellow jackets?