Do termites bite? Yes, termites do bite, but does their bite cause any serious risk to humans? Not really. These are invertebrate insects that live in colonies and eat wood and other plant-based materials. Their bite to human flesh does not pose any risk to one’s health and is very rare. They are more dangerous and feared by people for the damage they can cause to furniture and woods in homes.
Although termites can travel anywhere, they mostly keep to dark and often damp areas. They are white and light brown in color, and they have straight antennae. They are usually in colonies that can range from two to millions of insects. With the largest of them all being the king and queen, the workers are the smallest.
Types of termites
There are about three different types of termites, most common ones are:
- Dampwood termite
- Drywood termite
- Subterranean termite
Termites live in wood in homes or buildings, or in natural areas like forests. They can be found in almost any part of the world; research has shown that you won’t see any in Alaska (a state in the US). There are about 2,600 species of termites throughout the whole world.