Page 78 - Florida Pest Control Examinations

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

ABOUT SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES

Subterranean termites are one of the most commonly found termites to cause damage to buildings.

Habitat: Soil is typically the nesting site for the Subterranean termite. It provides the necessary moisture
source for their survival. Occasionally, moisture damaged wood, above ground levels, can support an aerial
infestation without connection to the ground (*soil) via mud tubes (shelter tubes.)

Termite Colony: Termites are social insects that live in highly
organized colonies. Like many insects, they have an egg, an
immature, and an adult stage. There are three main types of adults
colony members: reproductives, workers, and soldiers.
Swarmers: When the colony becomes unsuitably large and is
several years old, it may produce “swarmers”. Swarmers are the
winged adults whose job it is
to start new colonies. They
are the new kings and
queens. Normally it is three
to four years before a
colony becomes large enough for swarmers, or winged
termites, to be sent out to start new colonies. These termites can
be confused with many ants that also swarm in the spring. Termite Flying Ant
However, ants have dierent physical characteristics. Ants have
elbowed antennae, a narrow waist, and front wings that are longer than the back wings and end at the
posterior of the body. Swarming termites have straight antennae, a thick waist, and all wings the same
length that extend beyond the posterior of the body.

Subterranean Termite Control

Most subterranean termite control is done by applying termiticides directly to the soil. The goal is to
establish a continuous insecticide barrier between the termite colony (usually in the soil) and wood in a
building. Rarely, there may be a secondary termite colony above the soil (in the roof or other areas with
a constant moisture supply) that requires additional treatment.

Treatment Methods

Typical treatment methods would include pressure treating, trench and treat or rod and treat
procedures to infested soil areas (see house diagram for treatment explanations). In some instances,
broadcast spraying the surface of the soil can be done. This treatment is eective but for a much
shorter time period than the other methods mentioned above.

Wood can be treated, after an infestation occurs, as a supplement to the soil treatments but can not
be relied upon to control an infestation by itself. Wood can be either sprayed or injected with
insecticide to eliminate the termites within it.

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