UNDERSTANDING THE LIFE CYCLE OF TERMITES
Although most termites only live for 1-2 years, that’s still plenty of time to cause a lot of damage in your home! Learn about how these tiny terrors grow and work together to become masters of destruction in this Hivemind blog.
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Reproductive termites
At the heart of every colony, the King and Queen ensure its growth and survival
Eggs
Queens can lay up to 30,000 eggs per day.
Larvae
Known as the baby termites in a colony, larvae are freshly hatched termites.
Nymphs
As larvae grow and become nymphs, they undergo several moults to evolve into adults.
Adult castes
Larvae develop into worker, soldier and reproductive termites.
Signs of a termite outbreak
Look for mud tubes, hollow sounding timber and wood, as well as physical damage including cracks, blistering and warping around your home.
How to prevent termites
We recommend yearly termite inspections as the best way to stop termites from entering your home.
Choose Allstate safe and effective termite management
We’re available 24/7 for urgent advice and offer tailored, innovative solutions to termite problems in all suburbs of Adelaide.
Reproductive termites
Responsible for populating the colony, reproductive termites play an important role in beginning the termite life cycle. There are 3 main types of reproductive termites in a colony with each serving a distinct role in its survival.
Primary reproductive termites
The original founders of a new colony, reproductive termites have one main job: to create and lay eggs. Also known as the King and Queen, they are darker in colour and have better vision than other termites. Queen termites can grow up to 4-6 inches long, whereas Kings tend to remain the same size as other worker termites.
Secondary reproductive termites
Playing a supportive role to the primary reproductive termites, there is usually a pair of secondary reproductive termites which act as a backup King and Queen. They are ready to step up in case anything happens to the primary pair. They also play a role in maintaining the size of the colony. In some species, there may be multiple pairs of secondary reproductive termites.
Swarmers or alates
When a colony has reached capacity and is ready to expand, you will notice the presence of swarmers or alates. Tasked with starting a new colony, these swarmers are reproductive termites with wings. Upon maturity, they develop a tougher and darker outer shell to make them resistant to moisture loss, as well as better eyesight, to assist with swarming.
In late spring to early summer, you could find up to 50,000 swarmers leaving a colony to find a mate and establish a new colony elsewhere. Once fertilisation is complete, swarmers lose their wings and become the new primary King and Queen.
Thankfully, it’s thought that only around 10% of swarmers will be successful in mating and starting a new colony!
Eggs
Laid in clusters deep within the nest, termite eggs are concealed and heavily protected by the Queen and her workers. They are usually oval-shaped and small in size, white or brownish in colour, with a translucent appearance.
Termite eggs normally take 1-2 weeks to hatch into pale white larvae.
Larvae
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Nymphs
During this critical developmental period, nymphs will physically evolve and develop the necessary body structures for their caste, or adult role in the colony, as either a soldier, worker or reproductive termite.
Their exact role is determined by pheromones produced by the King and Queen and heavily influenced by the survival needs of the colony.
It normally takes around 1 year for a nymph to reach full maturity, and this process can depend on predators and food availability.
Adult termites
Every flourishing termite colony consists of different groups of termites which play a specific part in guaranteeing its survival. Also known as castes, you’ll find 3 distinct groups of adult termites in a colony:
Workers
Making up the vast majority of a colony, workers are responsible for caring for younger termites, building and maintaining the nest, foraging and feeding other termites. They are white or pale brown coloured and grow up to 4-6mm long.
Soldiers
As their name suggests, soldier termites are key players in protecting and defending the colony against predators. They are easily recognised by their strong mandibles and large-sized, rectangular-shaped heads, range from white to pale red to light brown in colour, and grow up to 5-6.5mm long.
Reproductive termites
A small number of nymphs become winged adult termites in mature colonies to assist with expanding and establishing another colony elsewhere. They are dark brown to black coloured and grow up to 12mm long.
Changing castes
Termite colonies are known to be very responsive to the external environment, so depending on the needs of the colony, adult termites from one caste can transition to another caste if needed.
Signs of a termite outbreak
Termites are notoriously difficult to detect until it is too late without the correct equipment and training. However, in severe outbreaks, you may notice the following clues:
- Brown mud tubes along walls, skirtings and foundations
- Hollow-sounding wooden structures when tapped, including trees and timber in your home
- Blistering and cracks in paint or plaster
- Warping and buckling floorboards
- Discarded wings from swarmers or alates
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How to prevent termites
While the risk of a termite attack is high in most parts of Australia, you can definitely be proactive to avoid it happening in your home. Here’s how:
Termite inspections
According to government guidelines, it is recommended to have a termite inspection at least once a year, and even more frequently in areas considered to have a greater risk of an outbreak. At Allstate, our team of licensed termite inspectors is fully equipped with the right tools to assist you with comprehensive termite inspections.
Remove sources of moisture
Water attracts termites, so if you live close to a river or wetland, or have ponds or bird baths at your home, you’ll need to be more vigilant with termite protection. Regularly check for leaks in your plumbing inside your home and around your roof, including gutters, pipes, drains and taps, and repair them as soon as possible.
Regular yard maintenance
Termites feed on cellulose, which is found in wood and timber. So, we recommend trimming back branches from trees and shrubs away from your home. Remove piles of wood or store them well away from your home. Check timber posts, sleepers and outdoor furniture for any potential termite damage.
Choose Allstate safe and effective termite management
At Allstate, we understand how hard it can be to detect termites, let alone differentiate between the various stages of their life cycle. That’s why we offer free termite assessments [insert link: ] to all homes and businesses across Adelaide.
Founded in 1986, Allstate offers premium pest control services for residential, commercial and industrial clients. Available 24/7 for urgent advice and enquiries, our highly trained pest technicians offer innovative and tailored treatments which are non-toxic to children, pets and the environment.
With access to payment plans, you and your family can stay protected from all types of termites, all year round.