These tunnels can extend for 50-60 feet to reach wood and often enter a structure through expansion joints in concrete slabs or where utilities enter the house. Termites in the wood of homes or other buildings usually come from colonies already established in the soil. However, they differ from ants in that they feed off the cellulose in wood. Working largely unseen under the surface, they can tunnel through the wooden structural members in buildings and completely destroy them. Wood that comes in contact with the soil, such as the exterior trim or cladding on your home, provides a perfect point of entry for a termite colony.
Termites are social insects that live in colonies where labor is divided among a caste system .
They have reproductive and soldier castes. Workers and nymphs do all the work, soldiers sole job is to defend the colony. Winged adults are often called swarmers, they are primary reproductives. They emerge from the colonies on colonizing flights during certain seasons in the year. They will mate,lay eggs, and rear the first group of workers.