even damp carpets, to feed the other members of the colony. Even the nymphs will chew on wood. They have a high humidity requirement, and form tubes extending from the ground to travel in search of wood. The tubes are formed from saliva, soil, and bits of chewed wood. Tubes may also be used as shelter, migratory paths, and an exit for swarmers. Extreme damage usually takes years to develop, and the interior of wood is eaten leaving behind the outer shell, and any harder wood portions the termites didn’t want to finish.

Subterranean termite anatomy

Life Cycle:

Eggs take about 50 days to hatch. After the first year, several fertile females assist the queen in laying eggs, so a colony can grow quite rapidly. Growth progresses through up to seven instars, which takes about two years. The whole egg to adult process can be 3-4 years in length. Adults will swarm anytime from January through April. The males and females pair off, drop their wings, and burrow into the ground in search of wood and a place to start a new colony.