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Termites can distinguish nestmates and non-nestmates through compound communication and gut symbionts: compounds consisting of hydrocarbons discharged from the cuticle allow the recognition of alien species.148149 Every colony has its own distinct odour. This odour is a result of genetic and environmental elements like the termites' diet and the composition of these bacteria within the termites' intestines.150.

Termites rely on alert communication to defend a colony.134 Alarm pheromones can be released when the nest has been breached or is being assaulted by enemies or potential pathogens. Termites always avoid nestmates infected with Metarhizium anisopliae spores, through vibrational signals released by infected nestmates.151 Additional procedures of defence include intense jerking and secretion of fluids from the frontal gland and defecating faeces containing alarm pheromones.134152.

In certain species, a few soldiers obstruct tunnels to prevent their enemies from entering the nest, and they might intentionally repaint themselves as an act of defence.153 In scenarios where the intrusion is coming out of a violation which is larger than the soldier's mind, defence demands a distinctive formations where soldiers shape a phalanx-like formation around the breach and bite at intruders.154 If an invasion carried out by Megaponera analis is successful, an entire colony may be destroyed, although this scenario is rare.154.

To termites, any breach of the tunnels or nests is a cause for alarm. When termites discover a potential breach, the soldiers usually bang their heads, apparently to attract different soldiers for defence and to recruit additional employees to fix any breach.56 Additionally, an alarmed termite bumps into other termites which induces them to be alerted and to leave pheromone trails to the disturbed area, which can be a way to recruit extra workers.56.

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The pantropical subfamily Nasutitermitinae includes a specialised caste of soldiers, also known as nasutes, that have the capability to exude noxious fluids via a horn-like frontal projection that they utilize for defence.155 Nasutes have lost their mandibles through the plan of evolution and have to be fed by workers.59 A vast array of monoterpene hydrocarbon solvents have been identified in the liquids which nasutes secrete.156 Similarly, Formosan subterranean termites have been known to secrete naphthalene to protect their nests.157.

Soldiers of the species Globitermes sulphureus commit suicide by autothysis  rupturing a large gland just beneath the surface of their cuticles. The thick, yellow fluid in the gland becomes very tacky on contact with the atmosphere, entangling ants or other insects that are trying to invade the nest.158159 Another termite, Neocapriterme taracua, also engages in suicidal defence.

When soldiers guarding nest entrances are attacked by intruders, they engage in autothysis, creating a block that denies entry to any attacker.161.

Employees see use many different strategies to take care of their dead, including burying, cannibalism, and avoiding a corpse entirely.162163164 To avoid pathogens, termites occasionally engage in necrophoresis, in which a nestmate conveys away a corpse in the colony to dispose of it everywhere.165 Which strategy is utilized depends on the nature of the corpse a worker is dealing with (i.e.

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A species of learn this here now fungus is known to mimic termite eggs, successfully avoiding its natural predators. These tiny brown chunks, known as"termite balls", seldom kill the eggsand in some cases the workers tend to these.166 This fungus mimics these eggs by producing a cellulose-digesting enzyme known as glucosidases.167 A unique mimicking behavior exists between various species of Trichopsenius beetles and certain termite species within Reticulitermes.

This compound mimicry allows the beetles to integrate themselves within the termite colonies.168 The developed appendages on the physogastric abdomen of Austrospirachtha mimetes enables the beetle to mimic a termite worker.169.

Several species of ant are known to catch termites to use as a brand new food source later on, rather than killing them. By way of example, Formica nigra captures termites, and those who attempt to escape are immediately seized and driven underground.170 Certain species of ants in the subfamily Ponerinae conduct these raids although other ant species move in alone to steal the eggs or nymphs.146 Ants such as Megaponera analis attack the outside of mounds and Dorylinae ants assault underground.146171 Despite this, some termites and ants can coexist peacefully.

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54 species of ants are known to inhabit Nasutitermes mounds, both occupied and abandoned ones.174 One reason many ants reside in Nasutitermes mounds is a result of the termites' frequent occurrence in their own geographic range; another is to shield themselves from floods.174175 Iridomyrmex also inhabits termite mounds although no evidence for any kind of relationship (other than a predatory one) is known.116 In rare cases, certain species of termites live inside active ant colonies.176 Some invertebrate organisms such as beetles, caterpillars, flies and millipedes are termitophiles and reside inside termite colonies (they are unable to survive independently).56 As a result, certain beetles and flies have evolved with their hosts.