Termite pests in California include the Subterranean species. If you see any of the following signs in your home, you may have termites. Saw dust like droppings, dirt or mud-like tubes or trails on the structure, tunneling in the wood, damaged wood members like window sills or swarming winged insects within or around the structure. Sometimes they are confused with winged ants.

THE SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE COLONY
	King and Queen At least one king and queen are at the center of every termite colony. The queen's sole purpose is to reproduce. Some live for as long as 30 years.
	Eggs Queens can lay thousands of eggs every year. Eggs hatch into nymphs.
	Nymphs While in the nymph state, termites diverge into different castes: workers, soldiers, reproductives, and supplementary reproductives.
	Workers Workers are blind, wingless termites that maintain the colony, build and repair the nest and tubes, forage for good, and card for the other termites. They are the most numerous caste and the most likely to be found in infested wood.
	Soldiers Soldiers are sterile, wingless, and blind. Their sole function is to defend the colony.
	Winged Reproductives These will eventually leave the colony as adult swarmers. After swarming, they shed their wings and pair up. Each male-female pair attempts to start a new colony.
	Supplementary Reproductives These termites help increase the population of established colonies and can serve as replacements for the king or queen if they should die.