The Termite Infestation Map was developed by the US Forest Service years ago and was updated in the 1980s. The map is a depiction of the US Forest Service scientists’ estimate of various termite zones based upon the scientific studies conducted by the Forest Service. This is for subterranean termites only.

The original map was published as part of the US Government’s efforts to inform homeowners as to the dangers of termites and the signs of infestation. The publication used as called Home and Garden Bulletin 64, originally published in 1960, revised throughout the years with the 1994. The approximate termite hazards were listed as Region I: Very Heavy; Region II: Moderate to Heavy; Region III: Slight to Moderate; and Region IV: None to slight. Early maps did not include Hawaii and Alaska. Currently, Hawaii is in Region I and Alaska is in Region IV.

The map has not only been used in the publication but was used to establish Termite Infestation Probability Zones (TIP Zones). The US Department of Housing and Urban Development uses the TIP Zones to determine the risk and actions necessary as a requirement for guaranteeing mortgages. Conventional mortgage lenders, called mortgagees, also use the TIP Zones as their underwriting standards are usually similar to HUD’s.

The TIP Zones first noted by the US Forest Service have become an important part of determining whether inspection and prevention are underwriting requirements for mortgage loans. Finally, the International Code Council uses TIP Zones to determine building code requirements for termite prevention. The ICC’s International Residential Code (IRC) stipulates that code officials must use the map to determine building code requirements for subterranean termite prevention.

Male or king termites are created in a colony by the evolvement of the nymph termites into either neotenic reproductives or alates (winged reproductives). Neotenics stay in the colony whereas alates leave the colony as winged reproductives.

When a king termite is created by a nymph, the term is usually reserved for male termites which are alates or winged reproductive termites. Male termites created within the colony which are destined to stay within the colony are not usually referred to as “kings.”

When alates leave the colony in a “nuptial flight,” the termites fly or “swarm” into the air outside of the colony. The shell of the termite is generally dark and hardened compared to the worker shell which is soft, pliable, and sensitive to ambient conditions. When a female swarmer or alate finds a mate, they land, break off their wings and the king termite follows the female in very close proximity. While the male mouthparts and antennae are in close proximity to the female, the female exudes a scent or pheromone which allows the male to remain near the abdomen of the female.

When a suitable nesting area is found, the pair start a new colony. While the production of eggs will take some time, the king termite will ensure that the colony will continue. The king termite stays with the queen or female, to ensure a successful colony.

Reproductive termites of a colony are first the king and queen of the colony. These two reproductives start the colony by mating after leaving a colony, usually in a “swarm” or nuptial flight for most common species. The couple finds a safe place free from temperature extremes and predators to start a colony. After mating, the queen lays several eggs. Upon hatching, there are soldier and worker termites. Worker termites do the “work” and soldier termites defend the colony. Reproduction is a slow process at first in that the population doesn’t build up for some time.

When a colony is healthy and eggs are hatching regularly, secondary reproductives, or neotenics, will be present. These are former baby termites or immatures which have moved to the “larva” stage and then become a wingless reproductive to supplement the colony in many subterranean termite species. These are called brachypterous neotenic reproductives. Another supplemental reproductive is the apterous neotenic reproductive which derives from workers. It serves a similar function as supplementary egg producer but it has no wing pads. Finally, winged reproductives or alates are new kings and queens and they fly from the colony to start new colonies.

It has been noted that the secondary reproductives can be more prolific than the queen. They are also mobile and are not as susceptible to predators due to their mobility. Some secondary reproductives will resemble workers in color and habit but they will be longer than most workers. As with worker termites, the soft bodied secondary reproductives must remain moist and protected.

Termite shelter tubes can extend 60 feet or more and may be found along building walls reaching up to one or two stories above ground, especially where there is high humidity or a water source. Both native and Formosan subterranean termites have been found above the tenth floor in buildings. There is no limit to how high they can go up, if they find adequate moisture.

Subterranean termites also build tunnels inside their nests underground. These mud tubes connect the different rooms of the termite colony and allow termites to travel to food sources and move to rooms with optimal temperatures.

Both subterranean termites and termites that inhabit wood (such as drywood termites) create tunnels in the wood grain as they digest the cellulose. Damaged wood typically makes a hollow sound when tapped.

What Do Termite Tunnels Look Like?

Termite Tunnel in a Sub Floor:

As these pictures of termite tunnels show, mud tubes are earth-colored and typically about the width of a pencil, though they may range in diameter from 1/4 inch to 1 inch.

Termite Tunnel on Wood Beneath a Home:

Depending on the colony’s needs, larvae that develop into worker termites may remain workers, develop into soldier termites or grow wing buds in the process of becoming a reproductive (called a nymph).

Termite larvae that turn into nymphs can molt to become primary reproductives (alates) that develop wings and eyes in preparation for swarming, or secondary reproductives that support the colony’s egg production. If needed, some worker termites may molt to become tertiary reproductives that further support the termite queen’s egg production.

Not all nymph termites continue to molt and become reproductives. If the colony needs more workers, some nymphs may regressively molt, losing their wing buds to become termite pseudergates or “false workers.”

What Do Termite Larvae Look Like?
Termite larvae look very similar to worker termites. They are white and have soft bodies. Most termite species produce larvae that are less than 1/10 of an inch long.

Termite larvae (top left) and worker termites (center):

What Do Termites Look Like?
Termites range in size from 1/8 inch to 1 inch long. Termites vary in color from white to brown to black, depending on the species and the life stage of the particular termite.

Across most species of termites, a worker termite looks like an insect in the larval stage. Worker termites have soft exteriors and tend to be white or pale brown. (Drywood termites do not have a specific worker caste and instead, rely on nymphs to perform the typical “worker” role.)

Soldier termites have the same soft bodies as worker termites, but with much larger heads that have a hard exterior and large, well-developed mandibles (jaws).

In the alate stage, termites look like flying ants. However, these insects can be distinguished by inspecting their wings, antennae and abdomen. Termites have straight antennae and two sets of wings that are equal length. They also have two body segments with a straight abdomen. Ants have antennae that bend in the middle, two sets of wings of different lengths and three body segments with a very narrow waist.

What Is the Termite Diet?
Termites eat materials containing cellulose, but the specific termite diet varies by species. Depending on the species’ need for moisture, termites may eat dead plants and trees, including materials used in buildings, carpet, insulation and wallpaper, plastic, fabric, or animal feces. Termites require the help of protozoa and bacteria in their digestive systems to break down the cellulose into sugars they can digest.

Termites fed on the foam insulation behind these walls:

Baby termites (or larve)

Baby termites, also called “immatures” or “larvae,” can become reproductives, soldiers, or workers. After the immature stage, the baby termite will become a nymph or intermediate step prior to becoming a reproductive. If the baby termite is destined to become a worker or soldier, that is the next step and there is no intermediate stage as is the case if the baby termite is destined to become a reproductive.

Baby termites in subterranean termite species start relatively small as they emerge from eggs. They resemble small worker termites. Later, the termite can become a mature worker, soldier or reproductive without indication early as to which caste it will become. There is some suspected mechanism based upon colony needs as to which caste it will become.

While the primary reproductive or queen of the colony remains, the secondary reproductive termites can be created in some species from former “baby termites.” These help provide the necessary eggs needed for the colony to thrive. They also will take over reproduction should the primary reproductive or queen die or no longer lays eggs.

Baby termites are fascinating to watch as they assimilate into a termite colony and the change to the caste is a remarkable feat of nature. Some believe that if there is way to control the baby termite, the control of the colony would follow.

See also Termite Larvae

What Does a Flying Termite Look Like?


Depending on the species, flying termites can range in size from 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. While worker termites are usually light in color, flying termites may be light in color, dark brown or black based on the species. (The darker color helps termites retain moisture and makes it possible for them to leave the nest.)

Flying termites have poor eyes, whereas worker, soldier and secondary reproductive termites are blind.

What Does a Flying Ant Look Like?


Some homeowners think a termite looks like a flying ant termite. However, ants and termites are two unique insects with different biology and behavior. In fact, the two insects are mortal enemies.

Ants have bent antennae and three body segments that narrow at the waist. On a flying ant, the front set of wings is longer than the back set of wings. In comparison, termites have straight antennae, two sets of wings of equal length and two body segments with a straight abdomen.

How Can You Identify Termites in Your Home?

If you see flying insects in your home and suspect they are flying termites, contact your termite expert for an inspection. Pest control professionals are trained to correctly identify termites and signs of activity. Since termite treatment approaches varies based on the species, it is important to contact an expert who can recommend the most effective approach to termite control.

In studying termites, biology and behavior, experts have calculated termite statistics that help pest control technicians understand the amount of damage a termite colony can inflict in a certain period of time. For example, scientists believe that most termite species eat 2 or 3 percent of their body weight each day. Based on the type of termite infesting a home or building, scientists can estimate the size of a colony and multiply this number by the amount of wood consumed by an individual termite to estimate the rate of damage caused by the colony.

Because Formosan termites (the most aggressive species of subterranean termite) form the largest colonies, up to 2 million individuals each, they are likely to cause the greatest amount of damage in the least amount of time. In general, subterranean termites tend to form larger colonies than drywood termites, so subterranean termite colonies typically damage homes more quickly than drywood termites.

Termite Damage Statistics

• Termites damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S. each year.
• U.S. residents spend an estimated $5 billion annually to control termites and repair termite damage.
• According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. residents spend at least $1 billion on Formosan termite control and repairs each year. Some experts estimate the number is closer to $2 billion.

Termite Social Structure
There are three levels in the termite caste system:

• Reproductives: The reproductive class includes primary reproductives (the king, queen and swarmer termites) and secondary reproductives (the primary source of egg production supporting the queen, once the colony is established). The king and queen are the colony’s founders and are responsible for increasing the colony’s population. When weather conditions are optimal, the queen produces many primary reproductives (called swarmers or alates) that fly out of the colony to start new colonies.
• Soldiers: Soldier termites are responsible for defending the colony from invaders, such as ants.
• Workers: Worker termites are responsible for building and repairing mud tubes and tunnel walls, feeding other termites in the colony, caring for eggs, removing mold and mildew from tunnel walls, and removing dead termites from the colony.

Worker Termites

Termites develop into their assigned caste, reproductive, soldier or worker, to further the development of the colony. These needs continue to evolve based on the colony’s growth rate, size and stability, so each termite may have been a member of at least two different castes at different points in its lifetime.

Behavior of Termites
Termite behavior is determined by the colony’s current need for survival, such as food, protection or reproduction.

Foraging for Food
Worker termites spend a great deal of time foraging for food, and their foraging expeditions can cover a very large area. Formosan termites (a species of subterranean termite) may cover up to 1.5 acres and distances of more than 300 feet while foraging, while other subterranean termite species cover up to half an acre and distances of nearly 260 feet.

Communicating Inside the Colony
Since termites are blind, they communicate through vibrations and pheromones (chemical signals). Pheromones support the termite social structure, as these insects recognize nest mates by scent. Each colony develops its own scent. Termites can secrete pheromones to mark the trail to food or alert the colony to danger.

Some termites also communicate by banging their heads against tunnel walls. The vibrations caused by head-banging notify worker termites when holes in the tunnels need to be repaired. Vibrations also summon soldier termites when ants or other termite enemies invade.

Swarming to Start New Colonies
Swarming is the most visible sign of termite behavior around homes. Termites swarm in order to mate and start new colonies. Subterranean termite colonies can produce thousands of swarmers, while others species of termites, such as drywood termites, produce fewer swarmers and may have less noticeable swarms.