Biology and Lifecycle

Termites are social insects that live in colonies where populations may reach more than one million. A colony consists of several different forms of termites, including reproductives, soldiers and workers. Each of these comprises different castes in the colony and support different functions in their social system.

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King and Queen Termites
Many termite colonies have one king and queen, which support the growth of the colony. The queen's sole purpose is to reproduce. Some live for as long as 30 years and can lay an egg every 15 seconds.

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Eggs
Queens can lay thousands of eggs every year. Eggs then hatch into nymphs.

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Nymphs
While in the nymphet state, termites diverge into different castes – workers, soldiers, reproductives and supplementary reproductives.

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Workers
Workers are blind, wingless termites that maintain the colony, build and repair the nest and shelter tubes, forage for food, and care for the other termites (soldiers, reproductives and nymphs). Workers are the most numerous caste and the most likely to be found in infested wood.

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Soldiers
Soldiers are sterile, wingless and blind. Their sole function is to defend the colony.

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Winged Reproductives
These winged termites will eventually leave the colony as adult termite "swarmers." After swarming, they shed their wings and pair up. Each male-female pair attempts to start a new colony.

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Supplementary Reproductives
These termites help increase the population of established colonies and can serve as replacements for the king or queen if either should die. The presence of supplementary reproductives in a colony can result in the creation of very large colonies.

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What Do I Do Now?

Not sure if you have a termite infestation? Learn more about signs you have a problem and what the experts have to say.