How Big Are Worker Termites?
WouterWorker termites are the smallest members of a colony. They are usually about a quarter of an inch long. In contrast, soldiers are larger than workers.
A termite can live for more than a quarter of a century. The queen has a lifespan of twenty-five years, while the king has a life span of fifty to one hundred years. A colony can reach a million members.
Termites are found in logs, wood, and timber. These tiny insects eat silently. They also can weaken trees by causing fungus. They have been studied for many centuries.
Depending on species, termites vary in size. Some may be as small as a millimeter or as large as an inch. The king and queen termites are the largest. Their size is determined by the climate and location.
Workers are light colored and are generally the smallest termites. They feed the colony and take care of its members. The adult workers regurgitate decomposed wood and feed the young termite larvae. They can be male or female.
The king and queen termites are the most important members of a colony. They care for the young until the colony has enough workers. They lay hundreds to thousands of eggs a day during the first year of the colony.
During the spring and summer, swarms of flying termites can be spotted. The swarms are attracted to light. The swarms enter homes through downlights and guttering. They also might come across frogs and spider webs.
