Subterranean Termites

FOOD

Cellulose (derived from wood and wood based products). Moisture requires an outside moisture source. This may be from the soil, leaky plumbing, roof tops, etc…

ENVIRONMENT

Normally live and forage in the soil. Can establish a nest above the soil if an acceptable moisture source is found. Build protective mud tubes that lead from the soil to the home. Can move colony within soil when environmental conditions require.

COLONY SIZE

Large (a well established colony may contain over 7 million termites. Some species have numerous smaller colonies of several thousand termite members).

EVIDENCE OF ACTIVITY

1) Mud Tubes ascending from the ground to the structure or protruding from walls and/or trim.
2) Heavy termite swarming within the structure.
3) Slits in the wood (flight slits).
4) Uncharacteristic waviness in the wood.

CONTROL MEASURES

When activity is already present, treat the structure with a liquid termiticide.

DAMAGE LEVEL

Some species of subterranean termites can consume 15 pounds of wood per week.