Subterranean Termites

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To prevent a termite infestation the homeowner should take some preventative measures such as removing food sources and moisture conditions around the home. This will make it less enticing for the termites.

Removing potential food sources include, placing screens on outside vents, keeping lumber and firewood away from crawl spaces, use termite resistant wood of possible when building. and not letting wood siding touch the ground. In order to eliminate moisture keep downspouts and gutters clean, fix all leaking pipes, and, remove any standing water from the roof.

Subterranean Termite Social Structure

Subterranean termites live in colonies about 18 to 20 feet below the ground. They use termite shelter tubes to go above ground to reach their food. Subterranean termites feed entirely on wood and wood products which contain cellulose. They bite off very small pieces of wood and using a special enzyme digest the wood.

The termite colony is organized into a caste system with each one having a specific job. The greatest number is made up of the workers. They are soft bodied and white. Their main responsibilities include gathering the food, caring for the eggs and maintaining and building of the tunnels. The soldiers are responsible for defending the colony against invaders. They are also white and soft bodied but have two mandibles and a hardened head.

The winged reproductives help with laying eggs. They also swarm at certain times of the year, hence they are commonly called termite swarmers. Termite swarming is very common in the spring and the fall.

The termite king helps with setting up the colony. He will mate throughout his lifetime to increase the size of the colony. The termite queen will lay up to 60,000 eggs in her life and may live for a very long time. Some termite queens live 15 years or more.

Getting Help with Termite Problems

If you suspect you may have an infestation of termites the best thing to do is NOT try to take care of it yourself. Seek professional help. Contact several different pest control companies. Make sure they have liability insurance and tell you the names of all the products they use. Research the various methods available to eliminate the termites. One final word beware of any company which uses a secret formula.