Illinois Home Inspector Practice Exam

Termites primarily communicate within their colony using pheromones, which are chemical signals that convey important information about their environment and the status of the colony. Pheromones allow termites to mark trails to food sources, signal danger, and coordinate activities such as foraging and mating. The use of these chemical signals is highly effective for the social structure of the colony, as it enables a large number of individuals to communicate seamlessly and maintain coordination among different roles, such as workers, soldiers, and reproductives.

While vibration and sound can play a role in communication for some insect species, they are not as central to termite communication as pheromones. Light signals are also not a method used by termites; in fact, termites are usually adapted to life in darkness and are sensitive to light but do not utilize it for communication purposes. Thus, pheromones are the predominant means through which termites effectively relay information and maintain their complex social structure.