How Long Do Termites Live?

ANSWER:

Termite workers and soldiers can live up to two years, parental termites can live decades.

Given the severe damage that termites can cause, it is hard to believe that they are fragile insects most surviving a very short time. Given the right conditions though, they can live quite a long time in relation to other insects. The parental king and queen of the colony live the longest and can survive decades under the right climate conditions.

Resources

” How Long Does a Termite Live: Termite Life Expectancy, Lifespan.” Orkin Termite Treatment, Pest Control & Exterminator Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://www.orkin.com/termites/how-long-does-a-termite-live>.

“Subterranean Termite Biology and Behavior.” Virginia Cooperative Extension . N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. <http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444-502/444-502.html>.