They are light to dark brown and one-third to one inch in length. Soldiers guard the colony against invaders such as ants. They are white and wingless with large brownish heads and jaws. The soldiers and immatures remain inside the wood at all times. Subterranean termites occur throughout the state while drywood termites are more common along coastal areas although they are also found inland.
Termite food consists of cellulose obtained from wood.
Protozoa in their digestive tracts convert the cellulose into usable food. Infestations of drywood termites may be found in almost any product containing cellulose. They are most commonly found infesting woodwork in buildings and furniture. Non-subterranean termites remain hidden within the wood or other material on which they feed, so that those actually doing the feeding are seldom seen. Galleries or tunnels in the wood made by drywood termites cut across the grain of the wood and destroy both soft spring wood and the harder summer growth.