Subterranean Termite Overview

The advent of centrally heated homes has made it possible for termites to become a threat in virtually every region and state in the U.S. On the average, there could be as many as 13 to 14 subterranean termite colonies per acre, which means that a typical home may easily have three to four colonies situated under or around it. And because there can be as many as 1,000,000 subterranean termites per colony, the threat of infestation becomes a very real one indeed.

Cause more damage to homes in U.S. than storms and fire combined; colonies can contain up to 1,000,000 members.

Subterranean termites nest in the soil to obtain moisture, but they also nest in wood that is often wet. They easily attack any wood in contact with the ground. If the wood does not contact the soil, they can build mud tunnels or tubes to reach wood several feet above the ground. These tunnels can extend for 50-60 feet to reach wood and often enter a structure through expansion joints in concrete slabs or where utilities enter the house.

Winged termites emerging from the ground out-of-doors near the house does not necessarily mean the house is infested, but it is a good reason to check further. Termites in the wood of homes or other buildings usually come from colonies already established in the soil.

While not the most common species in Southern California the Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes hesperus) destroy homes at a rate of almost 80 times that of the drywood termites. As the name implies, they generally enter homes from beneath. Subterranean termite colonies are much larger and better organized, allowing them to affect much greater damage in less time. Part of their advantage is found in a more stratified caste system. The majority of subterranean termites are actually members of a "worker caste" – and their sole job is to eat away at your home. Twenty-four hours a day.

The Subterranean termites will generally swarm in early spring – between February and May. And contrary to some popular myths, they are impartial to construction methods. While evidence of subterranean termites is most easily visible in the crawlspaces of more traditional homes, they can still easily enter through small fissures and joints in monolithic and other slab foundations. The NixTermite Pest Management inspector can identify your homes construction and make custom treatment recommendations that will most effectively control a subterranean termite population.

Subterranean termites are most likely to access a home that offers earth to wood contact. A prime example of this would be a wood pylon or load post beneath the home that extends all the way down into the dirt. Or, if the yards grade, or dirt level, rises above the base of the foundation, subterranean termites can quickly and easily enter and attack the lower wooden beams of the houses frame. In homes that offer a crawlspace, subterranean termites will often build tubes of mud in which they will travel to consume wood and take it back to the colony below. NixTermite Pest Management offers a variety of solutions for all your termite problems.

• Swarmers flying early in the spring
• Wings broken off near windows
• Mud tubes or termite tunnels.
• Wood damage
  
  

Contact us for a free inspection and estimate to protect your home or call us today for a free no-obligation estimate at 619-472-6666. Our friendly staff will be happy to discuss your termite problems and needs.

You May Find Subterranean Termite Swarmers, Soldiers and Workers. Normally, You Will Not Find Queens or Kings Because They Are Hidden Deep Inside Their Colony.