How Long Does Termites Last?
WouterTermites are a type of insect that lives in soil. They can cause damage to wood and other materials. Their colonies can grow to hundreds of thousands of termites. If left untreated, they can cause structural damage to your home. Their lifespan depends on many factors, but in general, a colony will take about a year to eat through a two-by-four piece of wood.
A termite’s lifespan depends on its colony size and the amount of treatment that it receives. Large infestations can take a few years to kill the colony, while smaller ones can be eradicated within one or two days.
Termite colonies can be divided into three categories: reproductive termites, worker termites, and alates. Reproductive termites leave the colony in the spring to mate. They lay eggs that will become the new colony’s queen. These female termites can live for decades in an ideal climate. Workers are ants who are mainly involved in collecting food and protecting the colony. They will also destroy wooden structures and standing trees.
The size of a colony determines how long it will take for the termite to destroy your home. The larger the colony, the more wood that will be destroyed. A single colony can take over three years to eat through a 1,000-square-foot home. A large colony can consume one pound of wood every 24 hours.
When a termite swarm occurs, the swarmers assemble around windows, sliding glass doors, and light fixtures. They then begin to mate. The winged termites emerge from the nest and start flying or crawling.
