The termites commonly found
are called subterranean termites because they live underground. Termite
colonies are highly organized societies of several hundred thousand to 1
million or more individuals within a loose collection of underground
tunnels and chambers. Workers (1/8-inch, creamy white, wingless,
segmented body, bead-like antennae) are the most numerous members of the
colony. They build and maintain the nest, care for the immature, and
forage for food to eat and carry back to the nest. Termite food consists
of wood and other cellulose products such as paper and cardboard.
Reproductives, i.e., queens and kings, produce the new offspring, while
soldiers guard the colony from invasion. Swarmers (3/8-inch,
straight-sided, black body, silver wings) are male and female adults
that emerge from well-established colonies to attempt to establish new
colonies.
