Each colony contains three major castes of adult termites:
workers, soldiers, and reproductives
(Figure 1). Figure 1. Termite colonies contain three types of castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Winged reproductive termites are known as swarmers.
What are the main types of termites?
- subterranean.
- drywood.
- dampwood.
What are the three main castes of termites?
Termites are small insects that cause large amounts of damage. A colony’s life span can last up to 50 years. During that time several generations can fill the nest. A termite colony is divided into three different castes:
Reproductives, Soldiers, and Workers
.
How many families are termites?
Family: There are
seven families
of termites worldwide.
What are the castes of termites?
Each colony contains three major castes of adult termites:
workers, soldiers, and reproductives
(Figure 1). Figure 1. Termite colonies contain three types of castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Winged reproductive termites are known as swarmers.
Are termite soldiers male or female?
For example,
termites employ both male and female soldiers
, while the entire workforce in a beehive is female—a legion of sisters that serve under a busy queen with essentially no input from the few, stingless males.
What can be mistaken for termites?
The insects most commonly confused for termites are
flying ants
. The most common species of ants to take flight around your house are carpenter ants, but they’re by no means the only ones. Other would-be imposters include moisture ants, black garden ants and pavement ants.
What are the 2 types of termites?
- Subterranean Termites: Within the United States you have two sub-groups. The Eastern Subterranean Termite and the Formosan Termite. …
- Drywood Termites: Unlike subterranean termites, drywoods prefer to live in dry conditions. You’ll find them living in furniture, attics, walls, etc.
What are the worst types of termites?
The worst type of termite in the US is the
Formosan Termite
.
Formosan termite is a type of Subterranean termite that invades homes from the underground. Bigger than Subterranean termites, Formosan termites devour wood at a faster rate than any other termites.
What is the most common type of termite?
- Subterranean Termites. Subterranean termites are the most common species found in home infestations. …
- Formosan Termites. Formosan termites are a type of subterranean termite that are originally from China. …
- Drywood Termites. …
- Dampwood Termites.
What is the life cycle of a termite?
The Termite Life Cycle
In an incomplete metamorphosis, the termite
progresses through three different life stages: egg, nymph, and adult
. Depending on the colony’s needs, young termites can molt several times over the span of their lives—including into reproductive alates.
What is the lifespan of termites?
Workers and soldiers live
approximately one to two years
. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climate conditions.
How many termites are there?
There are about
2,000 known termite species
in the world. Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage.
What attracts termites to a house?
In addition to wood inside the home, termites are
drawn inside by moisture
, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.
What is the best termite killer on the market?
- Taurus SC — Most Popular. …
- Bifen XTS — Best Fast-acting. …
- Spectracide Terminate — Best Bait. …
- Termidor Foam — Best Direct Chemical Treatment.
How does a termite become queen?
Reproductive Termites
They’re also called swarmers or alates. Colonies produce swarmers when they get too full or lack food.
Once two swarmers mate and successfully start a new colony
, they become the king and queen.
