What Do Termite Eggs Look Like?

The termite’s life cycle begins when the termite queen lays her eggs. Since the eggs are rarely seen outside their colonies, one might ask: What do termite eggs look like? In short, termite eggs look like tiny, translucent beans that are grouped in clusters. Read our article to learn more about termite eggs and how to get rid of them.

What Do Termite Eggs Look Like?

Although termites’ appearances differ according to their species, their eggs look the same: tiny, pale or translucent, and similar in shape to a jelly bean. They are rarely seen due to two main factors: 

• Termite eggs are so small that they are hard to see with the naked eye. 
• Termite eggs are hidden within the colony’s nest.  

But if you’re curious, here are the main visual characteristics of termite eggs:

• Size: Approximately 1 mm long and 0.5 mm wide
• Color: Translucent, white
• Shape: Oval, bean-shaped

The queen, the reproductive female of the colony, lays the eggs. The termite queen in a well-established colony can lay thousands of eggs daily, producing anywhere from 2,000 to 30,000 eggs per day. That’s an average of one egg every three seconds on the high end. However, in other species, the queen may lay only 200-300 eggs per year. 

Since the queen stays hidden and protected by the other termite workers, termite eggs are never seen outside the deep cavities of the colony. The termite colonies can be found inside wood or underground, depending on the species.

You probably won’t find termite egg clusters laying unprotected on wood or walls unless you’re dealing with a severe infestation. If you’ve spotted tiny pellets in these areas, what you might have seen instead are termite droppings.

Termite Eggs vs. Termite Droppings

Termite droppings are usually one of the tell-tale signs of a termite infestation in your home. While termite eggs are translucent and pale, termite droppings have a light brown or dark brown color. But how the termite droppings (also called “termite frass”) are used depends on the termite species:

• Drywood termite droppings visually resemble pepper or sawdust and are found near wood surfaces, close to small holes through which the termites kick out their waste. This sawdust is composed of numerous pellet-shaped droppings that have six sides (only noticeable when looking through a magnifying lens).

• Subterranean termites, on the other hand, don’t leave frass behind: They use their fecal matter mixed with saliva and wood chippings to construct new mud tubes and tunnels. What you might see, instead, are mud tunnels running up your walls or home foundation. 

• Dampwood termites won’t leave frass behind either, as they also use their fecal matter to cover holes in their tunnels to prevent moisture from escaping. They do not produce mud tubes, so visual signs of their infestations are rare. Wood that sounds hollow or feels soft is the main indication of a dampwood termite infestation.

• Higher (conehead) termites use their feces to build their nests and also mix them with soil to build tunnels to forage for food.

Ant Eggs vs. Termite Eggs

Ant eggs are very similar to termite eggs in size and appearance and can be easily confused with each other. Ant eggs have a distinct soft texture, but are oval-shaped and tiny, resembling termite eggs.

A curious note: Some ant eggs are almost microscopic, approximately the size of the period at the end of this sentence. Some variation may occur according to the ant species, however.

Ants are among the many bugs that look like termites. But because their eggs are almost indistinguishable and stay hidden, the easiest way to determine if you’re dealing with an ant infestation or a termite infestation is by observing the adult insects. 

Here’s what termites look like and how you can differentiate them from ants:

• Termites have a broad waist, while ants have a “thin waist.”
• Termites’ antennae are straight, while worker ants and winged females have elbowed antennae.
• A termite’s front and hind wings are the same size, while an ant’s front wings are bigger than their hind wings

How to Kill Termite Eggs

Termite eggs are protected inside the termite’s nest, making it fairly difficult to kill just the eggs. If you’re dealing with a termite infestation, the best line of action is to call a local termite control professional. 

To kill termite eggs, you will need first to identify what species of termites you are dealing with. Here are some ways you can get rid of termites according to their species:

• Higher (conehead) termites are treated with liquid termiticides, and for heavier infestations, fumigation is also an effective treatment.

• Subterranean termites are controlled through termite baits that indirectly affect the eggs or insecticides that kill existing termites. Because their reproductive queen and the eggs stay protected in their underground nest, these insecticides need to be applied to the soil by injections or drenches.
  
  The baits are more easily accessible to the general public and work slowly. The workers feed on the bait and bring it back to share it with the center of the colony. They can be installed above ground or underground and many of them use insect growth regulators (IGRs), an eco-friendly insecticide with low toxicity to humans or pets.

• Drywood or dampwood termites are controlled through heat treatment, fumigation, or electrocution. Termiticide injections also work against these species. Small infestations targeting small portions of the house (like the door frame or a piece of furniture) can be solved by simply replacing the infested wood.

Pro tip: Some termiticide formulations are available for professional use only. Additionally, if you’re going to apply these products yourself, it is important to choose a non-repellent formulation (they usually include fipronil, imidacloprid, and chlorantraniliprole). Termites can detect and avoid repellent ingredients such as the pyrethroids.

FAQ About Termite Eggs

How Long Do Termite Eggs Take to Hatch?

Termite eggs take approximately 21-30 days to hatch.

Do Termites Lay Eggs on the Wall?

Termites do not lay eggs on the walls. They can lay eggs inside your walls, however. Drywood termites lay eggs inside wooden structures, and unfortunately for you, these structures may be your walls or furniture. Subterranean termites, on the other hand, lay their eggs in the underground structures of their nest.

Can You Spot Termite Eggs On the Floor?

It’s unlikely that you will spot termite eggs on the floor or anywhere outside of their nest. If you happen to see termite eggs in clusters near the surface, this is a sign of a serious termite problem and professional help will be needed. You might also have spotted eggs of a different species or even termite frass instead of eggs, which is more likely to happen.

When to Call a Professional

A termite infestation is no joke. Termites can cause serious damage to your home’s structure and, because of their habit of hiding their queen and eggs, are very difficult to get rid of. But there is a way out: Pest Gnome connects you to the best termite pros in your area. Get in touch and get rid of termites today.

Main Image Credit: CSIRO / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0

Teresa Joaquim

Teresa is a creative writer who holds a Master's degree in Psychology. Despite being a nature lover, she is terrified of cockroaches. As a native of the tropics, she is used to dealing with mosquitoes, although they still manage to bother her. Her favorite things are art, music, and playing with her two cats.

Posts by Teresa Joaquim