How High Do Termites Fly?
WouterTermites are the insects that live underground in colonies. They build mud tubes to access food sources and the wood they need to survive. They are often found in the south and southwest. They can cause structural damage to buildings. They can be dangerous because they chew through wood 24 hours a day.
A colony of subterranean termites can be several thousand members, depending on the species. They can grow to about 1/8 of an inch in length and can cause major damage to your home. They also can live in moist secluded areas aboveground.
A termite colony will have a swarm at least once a year. This is the time when reproductive termites emerge to find mates. They will typically begin to lay eggs immediately. Some colonies can reach maturity and contain hundreds of thousands of individuals. Some of these species are very voracious and can eat up a foot of 2X4 wood in 25 days.
A swarm is made up of male and female reproductive termites. The female alates usually live near the surface of the wood. They are the only termite caste with compound eyes. The male alates also flock to the pheromone to find mates.
The worker termites are smaller than the reproductives, but they are responsible for the care of the eggs. They have a shorter waist and head than the soldiers. They forage for food and help protect the colony.
A termite’s wings are translucent and curved. They have two pairs of wings, one on each side of their body. The wings are usually about three centimetres long.
