In the United States, they cause more damage to homes than storms and fires together. There are about 2,500 termite species in the world. Alaska is the only state without termites. Florida's eastern subterranean termite colonies have about 250,000 members, but can have1 million or more. A colony eats about 1 cubic foot of wood a year.
Australian colonies can have two million termites.
The queen can lay 2,000 eggs per day and live as long as 50 years. West African colonies can have five million members. In big nests the queen and king may live for 15 years. The queen will lay one egg every 15 seconds. Termite colonies have a queen, a king, soldiers, and workers.