What You Need to Know About Termite Colonies

Termites are hyper-efficient eating machines that live in colonies and can wreak havoc on your home quicker than you’d ever imagine. Understanding termite colonies is crucial to putting an end to termite infestations. In this article, we’ll discuss termite colonies, their structure, and how to eliminate them. 

Structure of Termite Colonies

Termite colonies are like bustling cities teeming with social insects that work together to survive and reproduce. They have well-organized structures, with different castes performing specific roles in the colony. Their colony size can range from only two termites (a king and queen) to several million. Here’s a closer look at the structure of a termite colony:

• Queen

The queen is the big boss. Her primary role is to lay eggs, which she does like there’s no tomorrow. The queen can lay up to 25 eggs in a minute, which translates to 30,000 eggs a day. Worker termites groom and feed the queen to create optimal breeding conditions. 

The queen is the largest in a colony and is often darker than other termites. She can grow to between four and six inches. 

If the queen is old and can’t produce enough eggs to grow the colony, a supplementary reproductive begins to produce eggs. A new reproductive from the colony replaces them if the queen or king dies.

King

The king is the queen’s partner in crime. His responsibility is to mate with the queen. Once the mating is complete, the king’s role becomes less active. The king grows about an inch long and is darker in color, similar to the queen. 

The king and queen live in the royal chamber, the central area of the nest. 

Soldiers

Soldiers protect the colony from threats. They are darker and have larger heads and mandibles than workers to defend the colony against predators like ants. Soldiers are sterile and don’t reproduce. 

Workers

These guys are the backbone of a termite colony. Workers are the largest in number and are the ones who get their hands dirty. They build and maintain the nest, forage for food, care for the young termites, and groom nest mates. 

Workers are small, blind, wingless, and have a soft body. They are sterile and don’t reproduce. 

Reproductives

Reproductives are the termites that reproduce. They include the queen, the king, and alates (winged termites). 

Alates fly out in swarms to mate and establish new colonies. Once they find an ideal location, they shed their wings and become the king and queen of a new colony. 

Termite Colony by Species

The colony structure is similar for all types of termites, but their location and size differs. 

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites build their nest underground and use mud tubes to travel to their food source. These tubes protect termites from predators while they commute between the nest and their food source. Subterranean termites construct mud tubes with soil, saliva, and feces. 

These termites are the most common in the United States and are found in all states except Alaska. They are also the most destructive. 

Colony size: Subterranean termites form the largest colonies that contain tens of thousands to millions of members. They reach this size in about five years. 

Termite appearance: Subterranean termites are dark brown to black and are about 1/4- to 1/2-inch long. 

Drywood Termites

Drywood termites feed and live on dry wood. They don’t need the moisture from the soil. Their nests consist of tunnels and chambers, all within the wood. Since drywood termites live inside the wood, you may not notice them until they cause significant damage. 

These termites commonly exist in the Southern coastal states and along coastal California. 

Colony size: Drywood termite colonies are smaller compared to subterranean termites. They range from a few hundred to a few thousand members (less than 5,000) and take about seven years to reach this size. 

Termite appearance: Drywood termites are reddish-brown and are 1/4- to 1-inch long.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites feed and live on damp or moist wood. Their nests contain tunnels and chambers for the members to move through. Dampwood termites usually infest dead or decaying tree stumps and wooden structures in contact with the soil. 

These termites thrive in areas with high humidity and commonly exist in Western states. 

Colony size: Dampwood termite colonies are the smallest. They range from a few hundred to a few thousand members (less than 3,000). Dampwood termite colonies grow slowly and take about seven years to mature.

Termite appearance: Dampwood termites are reddish-brown and are 1/4- to 1-inch long.

How to Find Termite Colonies

Termites can wreak havoc on your property quicker than you’d imagine. The earlier you detect and eliminate termite colonies, the more you can save on your repair bills. Here’s how you can identify termite colonies:

Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites use mud tubes to travel between their nests and food sources. You can find these tubes along walls, foundations, and wooden structures. They are a clear sign of termite activity. 

Termite Droppings (Frass)

Termites are obsessively hygienic. The worker termites push their droppings out of their nest as part of colony maintenance. Frass resembles tiny wood-colored pellets and is a clear sign of termite infestation. 

Subterranean termites don’t leave behind droppings as they use them to construct mud tubes. Termite droppings are a sign of drywood or dampwood termite infestation. 

Flying Termites

Flying termites, also known as swarmers, emerge when a colony matures, which can take about four years. They swarm in search of mates and new colony locations during spring and summer. Look for swarmers around windows, lights, or other light sources. If you spot them, there’s a high chance of a colony nearby. 

Discarded Wings

After swarmers mate, they shed their wings. Look for them around window sills or other light sources. They are a clear sign that termites have entered your home. 

Wood Damage

Inspect interior and exterior wooden structures for signs of termite damage. Termites feed on the cellulose in wood and leave a thin layer of wood on the surface. Tap on suspected areas with a screwdriver. If the wood sounds hollow, you may have a termite infestation.

Pro tip: Focus on areas with high moisture, as both subterranean and dampwood termites prefer to feed on moist wood. 

Buckling Wooden Floors

Buckling or warping floors are a sign of termite infestation. Termites feed on wooden floors, which causes damage and makes the surface uneven. If you notice any weird changes in how your floor looks or feels, termites might be the culprit. 

How to Eliminate Termite Colonies

Here’s how you can eliminate termite colonies:

Liquid Termite Treatment

Liquid termiticide works against drywood, dampwood, and subterranean termites. Termite pros drill a small hole near the infested area and apply the termiticide. It’s effective for about five years. 

Liquid termiticide is also an effective termite barrier. Termite specialists dig a trench around the perimeter of your home and pour termiticide into it. These chemicals create a barrier that subterranean chemicals can’t pass through. 

Termite Bait Station

Termite pros strategically install bait stations around your home’s foundation. The bait contains cellulose, along with slow-acting insecticides. Termites consume it and share it with their colony members, poisoning them.  

Termite bait stations are of two types:

• In-ground stations – Installed in soil 
• Above-ground stations – Installed directly on infested wood or areas with termite activity

Termite bait treatment is an ongoing treatment that requires quarterly monitoring to ensure the bait is effective.

Foam Termite Treatment

Foam termiticide provides quick and targeted control against drywood, dampwood, and subterranean termites. Termite specialists apply the foam to the infested areas, which expands about 30 times its initial size in five seconds to eliminate the entire termite colony. 

Foam termiticide lasts four to six weeks. 

Termite Fumigation

Termite fumigation, also known as termite tenting, is a complex treatment to eliminate severe termite infestations. It works against subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites. Termite specialists seal the structure with a tent and fill the space with fumigants that penetrate all areas and eliminate termites.

Termite fumigation takes 24 to 72 hours, and you should vacate your home during the process. This treatment is complex and expensive, so we recommend you stick with liquid, bait, or foam treatment unless the infestation is severe. Termite fumigation is effective for five years. 

Heat Termite Treatment 

Heat termite treatment is a non-chemical alternative to fumigation. It works against drywood, dampwood, and subterranean termites. In this treatment, termite specialists use powerful heating equipment to raise the temperature in your home to 120 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Within 35 minutes, the heat penetrates all areas and kills the pesky creatures. 

Heat termite treatment takes about eight hours, and you should vacate your home during the process. Since there’s no chemical involved in this treatment, termites may come back if not completely eliminated. 

Pro tip: Combine heat termite treatment with liquid termiticide or bait treatment for better results. 

Microwave Termite Treatment

Microwave termite treatment is a non-chemical alternative to liquid termiticide and foam treatments. Termite pros use microwave generators to emit controlled microwaves that penetrate the affected structure and eliminate drywood termite colonies. 

This treatment takes about four hours, and you should vacate your home during the process. Microwave termite treatment doesn’t involve chemicals, so termites may return if not completely eliminated. 

FAQs

Do termites infest ceilings?

Yes, subterranean and drywood termites can infest ceilings. Subterranean termites access ceilings through walls, while drywood termites directly infest wooden structures in the ceiling, like the attic. If you notice termites on the ceiling, address the issue immediately to save yourself thousands of dollars in repair bills.  

Do termites infest walls?

Yes. Subterranean termites use mud tubes to access walls from the soil. On the other hand, drywood termites directly infest wooden elements within walls, like studs and frames. 

How can I prevent termite infestations?

Here are the tips to prevent termite infestations:

• Perform annual termite inspection
• Ensure proper drainage 
• Address water leaks immediately 
• Avoid piling firewood and wood debris next to your house
• Seal gaps and crevices in your home’s foundation and walls

When to Hire a Professional 

Termites are serious business. According to a report, U.S. residents spend around $5 billion every year to repair termite damage. If you spot these wood-munching pests, call a pro immediately to protect the structural integrity of your property. 
Pest Gnome connects you with the best termite specialists in your area who can help you with everything related to termites.

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