Has anyone heard of/had Agricultural Termites? What do I do?

Question

My neighbor noticed a termite nest forming on the back of my wooden fence. I called a pest control company and they said they were most likely agricultural termites that don't cause any structural damage, and that they don't even come out or treat for "agricultural termites." Called a second one and they said the same thing. Just said to knock the colony off but that they'd probably just come back. Said not to worry about it. I just recently moved here to Texas and have no experience with termites. Do I just let them be?

Answer 1

I read about them them a couple of years ago. The reason why they're referred to as "Agricultural Termites" is that they actually form a symbiotic relationship and "farm" the fungi as food inside their nests by utilizing chewed plant material (such as decomposed wood and other vegetative matter) to feed the fungus and allow them to survive. The fungus, in turn, makes this plant material into nutrients the termites can utilize.

I'm sure the pest control companies are correct in their assessment and don't see the termites as a threat to your home or dwellings nearby.

If I were you... I'd brag to all your friends that you have a very special species of termites living in your yard and now you have an interesting story to share with them!

Hope this information was of some help to you.