Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites live in colonies in the ground, building tunnels that look like mud tubes above ground level so that they can search for food.

The tunnels provide protection from predators and the open air allowing workers to carry food to the nest. They usually need to stay in contact with the soil.

Subterranean termites can form tunnels through cracks in concrete, so slab homes are not exempt from these termites. They need to stay in contact with the soil in order to survive, unlike Drywood termites that only need low moisture.
Subterranean termites usually swarm in the spring, but small flights can occur at any time of the year.

Signs of Subterranean Termites

Subterranean Termite Swarms
You may see swarms of winged male and female Subterranean termites in daylight during the spring, usually after a rain when proper conditions occur.

Discarded Wings
You may find discarded wings of swarmers on window sills, in the attic, or any place where there’s an opening in the wood.

Mud Tubes/Tunnels
Subterranean termites live in colonies in the ground, building vertical tunnels that look like mud tubes above ground level so that they can search for food. The tunnels provide protection from the open air allowing workers to carry food to the nest. Subterranean termites can form tunnels through cracks in concrete, so slab homes are not exempt from these termites

Termite VS Ant

Termites and ants look very similar, but it’s important to know the difference, because different methods are used to control each pest.

Subterranean Termite Treatment

The treatment for Subterranean termites may involve one or more of the following:

Foundation Treatment
Foundation treatments involve the application of termiticides to foundation elements. The objective of this treatment is to create a barrier by placing termiticides inside of concrete block/multiple brick walls where voids exist. This is accomplished by drilling foundation elements and injecting termiticides. Drilling and treating foundation elements allows termiticides to be placed on top of concrete footings where cracks may exist.

Soil Treatment
Treatment of the soil establishes a termiticide barrier in the soil under and adjacent to a building. A continuous barrier must be established along the inside and outside of the foundation wall, under slabs and around utility entrances.

Baits/Monitoring Systems
These systems are a recent innovation in termite control. Termiticide baits control termites by eliminating or reducing the size of the termite colony. They do not create a barrier around the structure, as do the liquid insecticides discussed earlier. Presently, termiticide baits are either insect growth regulators (IGRs) or slow acting poisons. The use of termiticide baits can significantly reduce or eliminate the need for a conventional liquid insecticide.

Wood Treatment
This type of treatment involves applications of termiticides directly to wood to eliminate existing termite infestations or to make the wood resistant to termites. There are several supplemental ways in which wood treatments are used in the pest control industry.
Pressure-treated wood is frequently used in the construction of buildings and provides effective termite control if it is used for all wood construction, at least to the ceiling level of the first floor.
Spraying termiticides on the wood already in place provides only surface protection and doesn’t penetrate to the center of the wood, where it is most needed.
In damaged wood, termiticide can be injected into the cavities made by termites. This will provide better control than will a brush or spray application.

Physical Barriers
Bevis Pest Control uses the Polyguard term products for physical barriers.