Termites

Termites are social insects that have existed for over 250 million years. There are approximately 2,500 identified species of termites in the world, 50 of which can be found in the United States.

Depending on the species, termite colonies are divided into 2 or 3 castes. Subterranean termite colonies are comprised of a worker, solider, and reproductive caste, while drywood and dampwood termites have an official soldier and reproductive task, leaving the worker functions to pre-adult colony members.

Identifying a Termite

In general, termites have three body regions which are the head, thorax and abdomen. They also have antenna which are composed of beadlike segments. More specifically, however, is to identify termites of each of the three social castes: workers, soldiers, and swarmers.

Worker termites are generally creamy white in color and wingless. Soldiers are also creamy white in color and wingless, but have a significantly enlarged head. Swarmers, also referred to as reproductives, are winged and a yellowish or brown color depending on the species. A swarmer has 2 pairs of wings, all being of roughly the same length and width. After swarming, these wings break off leaving a small wing scale.

The Damage Termites Can Cause

The amount and type of damage caused by a termite infestation is dependent upon the type of termite species that is present. Dampwood termites build colonies in damp or decaying wood, eating across the grain. These termites are most commonly found in structures where wood is in contact with the ground, or where it is exposed to consistent moisture.

Unlike some other types of termites, drywood termites infest a home directly rather than entering from the ground. These termites infest exposed wood first, but are also known to move throughout the structure and will even attack furniture. Commonly distributed by human activity, drywood termites can be moved from home to home in wood-based household items, meaning that furniture should be carefully considered before a move or the purchase of a previously-used item.

Termites’ Life Cycle

After the swarming flight, male and female swarmers form pairs. If the colony is still in its early years, the queen will lay fewer eggs, increasing this number as the colony becomes more established.

Termites undergo simple metamorphosis, moving from egg to nymph to adult. Once an adult, the termite will belong to its own caste within the colony. Depending on the species, this can mean becoming a worker, whose primary function is to forage for food; a soldier, who defends the colony; or a reproductive, whose function is to fertilize and lay eggs.

Termite Habits

Termites prefer dark, moist surroundings. Termites forage 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, exploring soil up to 300 feet from their colony in search of food. Once a food source has been located, termites leave a pheromone (scent) trail back to the nest. They build mud tunnels above ground to reach a food source.

New colonies are founded either by one pair of swarmers or the isolation of a larger colony. After a new colony is established, it can take 3-4 years before the first swarmers are produced.