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Pest Identification: Subterranean Termite
 Four "castes" make up a termite colony:
- Worker: approximately one-forth of an inch long, light colored, wingless.
- Soldier: elongated head with mandibles.
- Supplementary Reproductives: wingless or very short, non-functional wings; light colored.
- Primary Reproductives: winged, and darker than other members. This caste is most often seen by homeowners, usually in the early spring.
Termites live in colonies underground, from which they build tunnels in search of food; able to reach food above ground level by building mud tubes. Moisture is vital for termites to survive. Termites feed on wood and other cellulose material.
Subterranean Termite colonies can have up to a million members, and can cause substantial damage to homes and other structures.
The destructive nature of subterranean termites
Subterranean termites are a highly destructive timber pest, causing major structural timber damage to domestic commercial buildings in the USA. Recent industry surveys suggest that most homes are at risk of a subterranean infestation particularly in warmer more temperate climates.
Severe termite damage to buildings is on the increase since the removal of the long lasting soil barrier chemicals; the more common use of softwood building and other landscaping timbers that termites find irresistible.
Other important factors include building designs, automatic watering systems, landscaping and maintenance that encourage termite activity and/or allow hidden termite entry and infestation into a building.
Subterranean termites are small in size (about half the size of match-head) and soft bodied insects. They build a central colony nest from which they construct underground tunnels that radiate within a 100 yard radius from a central colony nest in search of a timber (cellulose) food source.
Subterranean termites are highly secretive, preferring to enter a building through areas inaccessible to inspection, such as, through in-fill patios, fire heaths, expansion joints and cracks in concrete slab (on-ground) flooring.
Subterranean termites need to maintain a high level of humidity and temperature (25 to 35c) in their central colony nest.
Termites eat through the center of susceptible timbers leaving nothing but a thin veneer of timber and/or paint.
They will pack mud in cracks and joints in timber to prevent loss of humidity and resultant dehydration.
The life-cycle of subterranean termites
As noted above, termites constantly groom and feed each other. A valuable technique for the termite controller is to install and monitor a termite baiting system next to any live activity found in and around the premises where termite foraging is most likely to occur.
Subsequent inspections (preferably monthly) may reveal dead or sick worker termites, they change color to a mottle look, and spread of the termite bait to other termites leading to elimination of the colony.
The termite baits are designed to be non-repellant to the termites and has a unique delayed effect. Time enough to be passed onto the other termites in the colony including the queen, with a sufficient dosage leading to the elimination of the entire colony. This process is explained in detail in the Advance Bait System section of our website.
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