How to Identify Subterranean Termites

Termites cause over a billion dollars in damage to homes each year, and subterranean termites are responsible for the majority of that damage. Subterranean termites live in colonies underground that can contain up to a million termites. They are able to reach food above ground by building tunnels called mud tubes. Subterrenean termites can invade homes through cracks in concrete, so even slab homes are not safe from this pest. Here's how to identify them.

Instructions

1. Look for winged or unwinged ant-like insects in different shades of brown, ranging from 1/8-inch to 1-inch in length.

2. Subterranean termites come in several types: Soldier termites have long brown heads with visible mandibles. Primary reproductive termites are dark brown or black. Supplementary reproductive termites are light-brown. Worker termites are cream-colored and wingless. Click the link below to see the differences.

Tips & Warnings

• Subterranean termites usually swarm in spring, but swarms can occur at any time of the year.

• The primary reproductive termites swarm and form new colonies.

• Supplementary reproductive termites can only reproduce within their own colony. They assist with the population growth of the colony.

• Subterranean termites have a worker cast, while most other termites do not.