How Small Are Baby Termites?
WouterIf you have heard about baby termites, you may have wondered how small they are. Baby termites are a type of insect that lives in colonies. They are one of three castes within a colony, the others being the worker and the reproductive.
Unlike most insects, termites have a unique life cycle. It begins with the laying of eggs by the queen. The queen lays up to 30,000 eggs a day. She mates with a male termite, and provides nutrients for the offspring. The colony grows within a year, increasing in size and number.
During the first two weeks, baby termites feed on cellulose. They regurgitate this food for the worker termites, who take care of them. Then, they are moved to the nursery chamber, where they will feed and be groomed.
These baby termites are often confused with ant larvae, but they are different. They have soft bodies and are very small. Their antennae are straight and they point outward. Their wings are a quarter of an inch or less in length.
Depending on the species of termite, they can be as small as an eighth of an inch or as large as a full-sized adult. While they are usually white or light brown, they will gradually darken.
When they grow, they will begin to develop into soldiers and workers. Their heads will get bigger and they will have chemical spray for defense. They are a threat to your home, because they can eat your wooden structures. If you spot these tiny insects around your house, it’s time to contact a pest control company.
