Termites have microscopic, one-celled animals, called protozoa, living inside their digestive tract.
The protozoa convert wood cellulose into sugar, thus allowing termites to feed on wood and paper. Termite pests in California include drywood termites, dampwood termites, and western subterranean termites. These pests cause serious damage to wooden structures and posts and may also attack stored food and household furniture. Reproductives function to perpetuate the colony. At certain times during the year, swarms of males and females fly to new areas.