Subterranean Termites

Reticulitermes flavipes

Facts About Subterranean Termites

With jaws like saws and teeth like knives, subterranean termites won’t just come out of the woodwork--they are the woodwork. They’ll chew and chew until they’ve had their fill, and they’re never full. If you don’t catch these munching maniacs quickly, they have the potential to collapse your home and cost you more than a money tree.

Damage Caused By Subterranean Termites

Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage throughout the United States every year. A single termite colony can consume as much as seven pounds of wood in a year. These pests can not only damage the wood in your home, but potentially make your house structurally unsafe.

Subterranean Termite Infestation

You’ll want to be checking your pipes for any leaks, air conditioning units, and other places where moisture will collect or drain. Always inspect your woodpiles too. This is a subterranean termite’s favorite snack and they will want to eat as much as they can. In fact, it is so popular among these termites that anything made out of wood has the the potential to harbor between a few hundred to a few thousand of these insatiable insects.

Termites will feed all day, every day. Anything that has cellulose inside is a perfect snack for them. In the wild, termites are actually considered beneficial. The byproducts termites produce after feeding becomes organic matter that creates healthy soil.

Types of Subterranean Termites

Subterranean Termite Identification

Subterranean termites are tiny, soft insects with dull white, brown, or black bodies. They’re tiny, too, measuring only ⅛ of an inch long. Any areas that are filled with junk or moisture will be harboring these harmful hellions.

Subterranean Termites In The House & The Garden

There are a few key signs that you have subterranean termites. The biggest indicator is a swarm of winged termites clustering around your windows or doors. You may also notice small piles of “sawdust”, fecal pellets secreted by termites after digesting the cellulose from wood. Other signs include tiny holes in wood, “bubbles” on wood from termite tunnels built near the surface and mud-like tubes along the wood and foundation that allows termites to get enough moisture as they travel.

Frequently Asked Questions