How many eggs does a queen typically lay in a new subterranean termite colony?

In a new subterranean termite colony, a queen typically lays between 6 to 12 eggs. This range reflects the initial stages of colony development, where the queen's primary role is to produce a foundational number of eggs to establish the colony’s population. The small number of eggs laid at the outset allows for the rapid growth of the colony as the worker termites, which are produced later, take on responsibilities such as foraging for food, caring for the young, and expanding the nest.

As the colony matures, the reproductive output of the queen increases significantly, ultimately leading to thousands of eggs being laid per day in a fully established colony. Understanding the initial egg-laying capacity of a queen is crucial for pest control professionals as it helps in assessing the potential growth of a termite population and formulating effective treatment strategies.