Termite Life Cycle and Behaviour

Termites are highly organised social insects that reside in colonies, which can contain millions of individuals. Each colony is structured around a caste system composed of workers, soldiers, and reproductives, with each member performing specific duties. They pose a major risk to buildings and are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage worldwide. Although commonly called “white ants,” they are actually more closely related to cockroaches than to ants.

Termite Caste System

The termite colony is divided into three primary groups, or castes:

• Workers: This is the largest group within the colony. These blind, sterile termites are responsible for handling all essential tasks like finding food, constructing tunnels, and tending to the other castes. They are the caste directly responsible for the destruction of timber.
• Soldiers: As the primary defenders of the colony, soldiers protect it from threats, most notably ants. They are easily identified by their distinctive large heads and powerful mandibles. Unable to feed themselves, they are fed by the worker termites.
• Reproductives (Alates): Also known as alates, these are the winged termites that become the future kings and queens of new colonies. They participate in a “nuptial flight” or swarm to find a mate and establish a new nest. After establishing a nest, the queen’s sole function becomes laying eggs, potentially thousands each day, to grow the colony.

Termite Life Cycle

The life cycle of a termite starts when the queen lays her eggs. From these eggs emerge immature termites known as nymphs. Through a series of moulting stages, these nymphs mature and differentiate into one of the specific castes—worker, soldier, or reproductive. This development is guided by the colony’s current requirements, which are communicated through chemical signals (pheromones) released by the queen and other termites.

Termite Behaviour

• Foraging: Worker termites constantly forage for food sources containing cellulose, such as wood, paper, and cotton. They work non-stop, 24 hours a day. To travel safely from their nest to a food source, they construct protective mud tunnels that shield them from the open air and predators.
• Nesting: Depending on the species, nests can be established in various locations, such as within trees, underground, or even inside the wall cavities of a building. These nests are built to maintain a stable internal temperature and humidity, creating the ideal environment for the colony to thrive.
• Swarming: Swarming is the process of reproduction and colony expansion. During specific times, typically after rainfall in warmer months, winged alates leave their nest in a large group to mate. After this flight, they shed their wings and search for a suitable location to begin a new colony. Finding shed wings on a windowsill or near your home is a strong indicator of a mature termite colony in the vicinity.

Identifying a Termite Infestation

Detecting a termite problem early is key to preventing severe damage. Be alert for these common signs:

• The presence of mud tunnels on foundations, walls, or other structures.
• Timber that sounds hollow when tapped or appears damaged.
• Piles of shed wings, especially near light sources, after a swarm.
• Small, wood-coloured droppings known as frass, which can resemble sawdust.
• Paint that is bubbling or peeling, or wood that looks darkened or blistered, which may indicate moisture from termite activity beneath the surface.

Professional Termite Inspection

Because termites are masters of concealment, their presence can go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. For this reason, engaging a professional for an inspection is crucial. A licensed inspector will use specialised equipment, such as moisture metres and thermal imaging cameras, and have the training to identify subtle signs of activity that an untrained eye would miss. Regular inspections by experts like the team at ABIS are the most effective way to protect your property– we can detect termites early, before they have the chance to do real damage and cause you to spend a significant amount of money on repairs.