How Termites Live
WouterTermites are cold-blooded insects that feed on wood. They are usually found in the ground, but they can also take up residence in buildings. They live in colonies, which can contain hundreds of thousands of individuals. There are several castes within a colony, and each takes care of a different task.
During the winter, termites will look for shelter. They may find a place inside a building or they can fly inside a heated basement. Then, they will search for food. If the temperatures dip below 25degF, they will die. This happens in a few minutes.
During the summer, termites are more active. They will spend less time outdoors, but will still be searching for food. In warm climates, the mating season can last into October. If a cold snap occurs, it can kill off swarms before they can create new colonies. If a colony is large, it may be able to survive for years without any intervention.
There are three different castes within a termite colony. They are the workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Workers are the smallest of the three. They are soft-bodied, wingless, and have a shorter head than a soldier. These creatures are sexually immature males and are responsible for maintaining the colony. They are also guardians of the colony.
When a colony reaches maturity, it will be made up of hundreds of thousands of individual termites. This is a very large population, and it poses a major threat to the structure.
