How Do Worker Termites Work?

Need to get rid of termites? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

What Are Worker Termites?

Termites belong to the order called Blattodea, and are related to cockroaches. 

In fact, it is thought that termites evolved from cockroaches in the early Cretaceous period around 150 million years ago. Termites live in colonies with highly developed social systems. 

Within these colonies, termites are divided into workers, soldiers and reproductives, headed by a king and queen. 

Worker termites make up 90 to 98 percent of the colony and do all the work that keeps a colony functioning. 

What Do Worker Termites Do?

All the reproductive functions of a termite colony are handled by the queen who can lay thousands of eggs in one day. 

Soldier termites protect the colony from enemies, are on guard 24 hours a day and can’t even feed themselves. All of the work that needs to be done in order to make a termite colony run are thus accomplished by these hundreds to thousands of worker termites. 

Workers dig tunnels, find and carry building materials, and care for the young. It is their job to feed the king, queen and all the soldiers. Though worker termites are sexed, they cannot reproduce because they are sterile.

What Do Worker Termites Look Like?

Worker termites are milky or creamy in color. They are both blind and deaf. They have strong, saw-toothed mandibles which allow them to eat through tough wood. They also use these strong jaws to carry building materials for their nests. 

Call Pest Control Experts

It is estimated that termite colonies are responsible for damage in 1 in 5 homes in high activity termite areas which includes all of the southeastern region of the United States. 

Don’t let your home become a part of this statistic! Call Pest Control Experts today to schedule your home pest inspection as soon as possible!