What type of termites are often the first seen when examining shelter tubes or wood?

The correct answer is workers. When inspecting for termites, the first type typically encountered in shelter tubes or wood are worker termites. These termites are responsible for the majority of the feeding and damage to wood structures as they tunnel through and consume the cellulose in the wood.

Workers are the most numerous caste within a termite colony and play vital roles in maintaining the colony, caring for the nymphs and eggs, and foraging for food. Their presence indicates active feeding and potential structural damage in wooden materials.

While swarmers are seen during specific times of the year when they leave the colony to reproduce, they are not typically found in shelter tubes or embedded in wood, as they only emerge for short periods. Soldiers serve as protectors of the colony and do not feed on wood, so they are also not typically the first seen in these situations. Nymphs, which are immature termites, do not appear as frequently as workers when actively inspecting for termite activity.