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Treatment Methods Treatment Methods
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW for Subterranean Termites for Subterranean Termites
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES Interior infestations may be inaccessible and undetectable with Shelter tubes Interior infestations may be inaccessible and undetectable with Shelter tubes
ABOUT SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
limited inspections. Full inspections are recommended in attic limited inspections. Full inspections are recommended in attic

Desert Subterranean termites are one of the most commonly found termites to cause damage to Termites traveling Termites traveling
Desert Subterranean termites are one of the most commonly found termites to cause damage to
buildings in Arizona. through shelter tube through shelter tube
buildings in Arizona.
Habitat: Soil is typically the nesting site for the Subterranean termite. It provides the necessary moisture 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 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.) infestation without connection to the ground (*soil) via mud tubes (shelter tubes.)

Termite Colony: Termites are social insects that live in highly Termite Colony: Termites are social insects that live in highly
organized colonies. Like many insects, they have an egg, an organized colonies. Like many insects, they have an egg, an
immature, and an adult stage. There are three main types of adults immature, and an adult stage. There are three main types of adults
colony members: reproductives, workers, and soldiers. colony members: reproductives, workers, and soldiers.
Swarmers: When the colony becomes unsuitably large and is Swarmers: When the colony becomes unsuitably large and is
several years old, it may produce “swarmers”. Swarmers are the several years old, it may produce “swarmers”. Swarmers are the
winged adults whose job it is 2 winged adults whose job it is 2
to start new colonies. They to start new colonies. They
3
are the new kings and 1 are the new kings and 1 3
queens. Normally it is three queens. Normally it is three
to four years before a to four years before a
colony becomes large enough for swarmers, or winged colony becomes large enough for swarmers, or winged 4 4
termites, to be sent out to start new colonies. These termites can 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 be confused with many ants that also swarm in the spring. Termite Flying Ant
However, ants have dierent physical characteristics. Ants have 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 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 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. length that extend beyond the posterior of the body.
Termite Termite
Subterranean Termite Control Shelter tubes Subterranean Termite Control Shelter tubes damage to
damage to
at foundation wood member at foundation wood member
Shelter
Most subterranean termite control is done by applying termiticides directly to the soil. The goal is to Most subterranean termite control is done by applying termiticides directly to the soil. The goal is to in wall void Shelter
in wall void
tube in sub
establish a continuous insecticide barrier between the termite colony (usually in the soil) and wood in a establish a continuous insecticide barrier between the termite colony (usually in the soil) and wood in a tube in sub
area of structure
building. Rarely, there may be a secondary termite colony above the soil (in the roof or other areas with building. Rarely, there may be a secondary termite colony above the soil (in the roof or other areas with area of structure
a constant moisture supply) that requires additional treatment. Specialized equipment and professional expert knowledge is required in the application of a chemical soil Specialized equipment and professional expert knowledge is required in the application of a chemical soil
a constant moisture supply) that requires additional treatment.
barrier around the structure to protect it fr m termite infestation.o barrier around the structure to protect it fr m termite infestation.o
Treatment Methods Treatment Methods
1 Trench and Treat Soil 3 Drill and Treat 1 3 Drill and Treat
Trench and Treat Soil
Typical treatment methods would include pressure treating, trench and treat or rod and treat Trench and treat adjacent to the edges of Drill into concrete and treat beneath floor Trench and treat adjacent to the edges of Drill into concrete and treat beneath floor
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, concrete slabs. This is a common entry point areas at cracks and expansion joints to concrete slabs. This is a common entry point areas at cracks and expansion joints to
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 for termites. broadcast spraying the surface of the soil can be done. This treatment is eective but for a much for termites. eliminate infestation under concrete slabs
eliminate infestation under concrete slabs
shorter time period than the other methods mentioned above. shorter time period than the other methods mentioned above.
2 4 2 4
Wood can be treated, after an infestation occurs, as a supplement to the soil treatments but can not Rod Treat Soil Sub Area Trench and Treat Rod Treat Soil Sub Area Trench and Treat
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 Rod injection of chemicals into the infested Trench and treat around piers and all Rod injection of chemicals into the infested Trench and treat around piers and all
be relied upon to control an infestation by itself. Wood can be either sprayed or injected with
insecticide to eliminate the termites within it. soil areas around perimeter of structure. wall areas in the sub areas of structures. soil areas around perimeter of structure. wall areas in the sub areas of structures.
insecticide to eliminate the termites within it.
Termites are compelled to return to their nests in the soil periodically to obtain moisture which is essential to their Termites are compelled to return to their nests in the soil periodically to obtain moisture which is essential to their
survival and to feed and care for the other termites left in the colony, including the king, queen and nymphs(young survival and to feed and care for the other termites left in the colony, including the king, queen and nymphs(young
termites). Illustrations by Aaron Bahlman termites). Illustrations by Aaron Bahlman
Corky’s Pest Control Corky’s Pest Control

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