How long do termites live? That is an interesting question. The short answer is somewhere between 2 and 50 years, but with some explanations. It can depend on where in their lifespan they are and the conditions and environment. It may also be time to call a termite control company.
It’s all about the queen. It starts with a mating flight where certain males and the queen swarm and fertilize the female. Then they find a likely habitat and establish their colony. The queen will generally live around 15 to 20 years.
After mating, the queen lays between a few hundred and a few thousand eggs. It will take about 20 or 30 days for the eggs to hatch into white larvae which go through several molting phases. As it progresses through these molts, the termite is called a nymph. In this stage it forms and loses its exoskeleton until it reaches full maturity. It is at this point that it is revealed whether it is a soldier, worker or reproductive. The exoskeleton continues to molt and reform throughout the termite’s life.
Property Damage
Workers do the most damage to human property because they are responsible for digging tunnels and chambers and feeding and grooming other termite classes. Soldiers are yellow-brown with large heads and mouths filled with teeth. This is great for protecting the colony but not so good for eating, so workers must feed them. The reproductive group are dark and have two pairs of wings.
Termites are very adaptive. If the colony requires it, workers can change into soldiers and vice versa or even a reproductive in times of shortages. If the queen dies or is separated, a new queen will develop so the colony will survive and even thrive.
The life span of each stage and caste is a bit different:
- Egg – 20 or 30 days
- Nymph – 1 to 2 weeks
- Workers – 10 to 14 months
- Soldiers – 10 to 14 months
- Reproductives – Up to 4 years
- Queens – Decades
While these are the life expectancy of each phase and caste of a termite, the colony is always reproducing because the queen is still laying thousands of eggs. If you notice a swarm around your house or building, there is a good chance that they have been active for three to five years. Because they are subterranean, living underground, you may not have noticed them until they do swarm. The damage from an infestation can include surfaces, floors, walls (including paneling and sheetrock), attics or anywhere there is dry wood.
Termites at any stage are dangerous to the structure of your home. If you have noticed any damage or see signs of swarms, contact a reliable pest control company in Virginia Beach at once. The sooner you take action the better chance you have to prevent further damage. In fact, it is recommended that homeowners schedule regular inspections or treatments as a preventive measure. The fees for this precaution will far outweigh the cost of repairing the structural damage from a termite infestation.
