What Do Baby Termites Look Like?

Termites are very destructive because of how quickly they will eat the structure of a home, but what do they look like before they turn into a hungry pest?

Knowing what baby termites look like can help you in identifying these pests!

Baby termites start as white/yellow/clear eggs protected inside a nest. From there, the egg hatches into what looks like a miniature termite. These “baby” termites are known as nymphs. Termite nymphs are typically pale white and, if you look closely, you can spot their antennae that point straight out.

Now that we know what baby termites look like, the question is, what will they look like when they grow up? Adult termites fall into one of four categories types:

The Life Cycle of a Termite Nymph

There are basically four different types of adult termites: workers, soldiers, swarmers, or future queens. Let’s explore each life stage of termite:

Worker Termites

Worker termites are the largest group and therefore the most common termite you’ll find. They are responsible for repairing the nest, caring for nest mates, foraging for food, and destroying wood. The workers leave the nest to search for food for the entire termite colony. Baby termites can’t feed themselves, so they depend on the worker termites to feed them.

Soldier Termites

Soldier termites defend the nest and are equipped with big, armored heads and sharp, enlarged mouthparts designed to protect the colony from any attacks. Soldier termites rely on worker termites for food.

Swarmer Termites

During certain times of the year, swarmer termites will emerge from the colony to start a new colony. These look a lot like flying ants. If you see flying termites near a house or window or find shed wings but no bugs, that could mean termite trouble.

Queen Termites

The queen is an extremely important member of a colony, as she is responsible for laying eggs to ensure the colony’s growth and survival. Fun fact: a queen termite has been known to live for 30 or more years!

What should you do if you spot a termite in the home?

Termites can cause serious damage to our houses and other buildings. If you see any signs of termites in or near your home, it’s important to tell a family member so they can work with a pest control professional to treat the infestation.