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When
a colony splits, male and female swarmers will pair up and make a
chamber in the ground under rocks or other materials. There, a few hundred
eggs will be laid during the first year. These eggs become worker termites.
Once there are enough workers, then soldiers will develop. After
two
or three years secondary reproductives appear. Three to four years
after
the colony is begun, the cycle begins again with a flight of swarmers.
The size of the colony can range from several hundred to several
thousand and is determined by factors such as location, temperature,
and availability
of food and moisture.
Termites may not be noticed by the homeowner until they begin to swarm.
This is the stage when winged reproductives leave the nest during the
process of mating and forming new colonies. They are most likely seen
in spring and during the daytime, and there will be a large number
of them. The winged termites can be easily confused with flying ants.
Control measures for each is different so it is important to closely
examine them in order to determine which type is present. Flying ants
have thin waists, bent antennae and two sizes of wings. Termites have
thick waists, straight antennae and both wings are the same size. (See
diagram below.)
If you see winged termites inside your house
it is probable that your house is infested with them. The wings fall
off the termites very soon
after they arrive, so the presence of wings indicate a new colony even
if no termites are seen. Light attracts swarming termites, so likely
places to find these wings are near doors or windows. They may also be
stuck to cobwebs. If you see winged termites coming out of the ground
outside your house don’t panic, but you will want to check to see
if they have made their way into your house. Most home infestations come
from colonies that are established in soil.
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