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. Nymphs These immature termites develop into workers, soldiers or reproductives. As the nymphs become larger, they also begin to damage wood. These termites protect the colony.