How Big Are Subterranean Termites?
WouterSubterranean termites are a type of pest that can cause significant damage to your home. These tiny creatures live in colonies underground and have a caste system to protect them. While the majority of them are quite small, some can grow to half an inch long.
They live in mud tunnels and travel through tubes of dirt. In a colony, they have workers, soldiers and reproductives. The termites can also swarm during certain times of the year. The termite swarmer leaves behind wings that may be near the baseboards or the perimeter of your home.
During the life cycle, the termite grows from a tiny egg to an adult. A queen can reach a length of two inches while a king can be up to one and a half inches in length. A worker will be about one-quarter of an inch long, and a soldier will be slightly longer.
The size of the termite depends on the species and its life cycle stage. While most termite colonies are small, they can expand quickly. The size of a mature colony can be 60,000 to 2 million members. These colonies can be found in the northern part of the U.S. They are typically spread by wood products and infested wood. In some cases, the colonies will forage in larger areas.
A mature queen produces approximately 5,000 to 10,000 eggs per year. The egg’s size increases to about thirty percent of its original size when it hatches. It is then laid in a moist chamber near the wood when the pair emerges.
