A termite colony matures in 2 to 4 years and may contain 21,000 to 365,000 termites. Swarming occurs at dusk or early evening and the swarmers are attracted to lights. The mated pair starting a colony seeks a crack and crevice in wood, such as the spaces between wood shingles. Workers share food with the other members of the colony. Tunnels or galleries which house the colony are produced by workers in dry, cured wood are clean and free of debris.
Tunnels can run across the grain of the wood.
Soldier termites defend the colony from intruders. Worker termites gather food, maintain the nest, and feed and care for other members of the colony. Workers returning to the colony share food with the rest of the colony. Workers feeding above ground construct tunnels or tubes made of soil and wood particles and salivary secretions. These tubes protect the workers and retain moisture in the nest.