How Big Do Termites Grow?
WouterTermites range in size from a fraction of an inch to several inches. This is determined by the species of termite and the stage of the termite’s life cycle. The differences in size between species are most apparent at the adult life cycle stages.
Most subterranean termites are less than 1/4 of an inch in length. They are also pale to dark brown in color. They have small jaws and can chew through wood. They have wings that are almost hairless.
The size of a termite can also be affected by the termite’s position. An aerial colony may grow larger than a subterranean colony. An aerial colony may form in a building and can be found in warm, humid conditions. During the winter, a drywood colony may infest the framing of a home. The dampwood termite may grow as large as an inch long.
During the spring, a drywood termite colony can swarm. This is when the termites will break off their wings to find a new colony. Swarmers will then pair up and go back to the ground. The swarmers do not fly very far from the nest. They usually die within an hour of dehydration.
In addition to the size of the colony, the number of workers and reproductive castes in a colony also influences the size of the termites. Those in the primary reproductive castes can live for up to 10 years. They are generally the largest members of a colony.
