Preventing and Treating Subterranean Termite Infestations

Subterranean termites have the potential to cause significant damage to wooden structures by constructing tunnels in the soil beneath your property. These insects have a hearty appetite and can create tunnels extending from the soil to the wood in contact with it, providing them access to your home.

They can also construct mud tubes to enter wooden structures in your home through cracks or crevices in the foundation or concrete foundations. If these pests establish colonies on your property, they can gnaw through the wood to create additional tunnels, ultimately compromising the structural stability of your building.

To prevent and treat subterranean termite infestations, it’s essential to seek professional services from a licensed pest control company that can provide effective treatments and recommend preventative measures to protect your property.

Identification

Subterranean termites can be identified by their long, narrow, and oval-shaped bodies ranging from creamy white to dark brown or black. They typically measure 32mm to 2.5cm long and have six legs and two straight antennae. In addition, alates or swarmers have wings, distinguishing them from other termites.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of subterranean termites can vary from species to species. The time it takes for them to grow from an egg to an adult depends on their caste. A primary queen in each colony can lay tens of thousands of eggs during her lifetime.
Subterranean termites are divided into three primary castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductive. The reproductive caste includes the king, queen, swarmers, alate, nymphs, and supplementary reproductive.
A new colony is formed when swarmers or winged alates leave the parent colony. The male and female swarmers mate in the air before seeking a suitable location to start a new colony. After the mating flight, both sexes shed their wings and dig a chamber near a wood source.
Subterranean termites typically swarm during warm, sunny, and windless days. However, some termites may prefer to swarm at night.

Habitat

Subterranean termites live in colonies located underground and construct tunnels to access food sources. To reach their food sources, these pests create mud tubes that extend above the ground level. They thrive in damp areas as they require moisture to survive.

Risks

Subterranean termites can pose a significant threat to your property because of their complex, saw-toothed jaws that enable them to chew off tiny wood fragments. A small colony can consist of around 60,000 workers that consume approximately five grams of wood per day.

Their activities can weaken the building’s structure, leading to potential collapse. Additionally, termite colonies can remain unnoticed for extended periods, allowing them to grow exponentially and resulting in expensive repairs.

Subterranean Termite Treatment

Leaving subterranean termite infestations untreated can cause severe damage to your home. Seeking professional pest control services is the best way to identify and eliminate established colonies of these pests and prevent further infestations.

Various methods, including baits, traps, and chemical treatments, can eradicate termites and safeguard your property from future infestations. Baiting is a popular method for controlling subterranean termites as it ensures the complete elimination of the entire colony before any damage occurs, although it is slow acting.

Chemical treatments like termiticides can also be applied to wood surfaces to prevent further infestations. However, seeking professional assistance when dealing with subterranean termite control is critical. They possess the knowledge and expertise required for safe and effective results.

We offer comprehensive property inspections at Tom’s Pest Control Brisbane to determine the infestation level. We then create a customised treatment plan for your home or business and carry out the extermination with the utmost care, ensuring no harm is caused to you, your family, or the environment.

Contact Us Today

If you suspect that subterranean termites have infested your property, don’t hesitate to call us. We will provide the best solution to eliminate these pests and safeguard your home from invasions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Eliminate Subterranean Termite Colonies?

The most common way to eliminate subterranean termite colonies is by using termiticides, chemicals that kill termites, or termite monitoring/bait stations, devices that attract and poison termites in or around the structure.

Fumigation, which fills the structure with toxic gas, may sometimes be necessary when the infestations are extensive. However, these methods require professional assistance and may have environmental or health risks.

What are subterranean termites, and what is their impact on wood?

Subterranean termites are a species of termites that reside underground and feed on wood. They create tunnels or mud tubes to reach their food sources and protect themselves from open air. They continuously consume wood, using their saw-toothed jaws to bite off small wood fragments, one piece at a time.

What measures can be taken to avoid a subterranean termite infestation in a home?

To prevent subterranean termite infestations in your home, there are several steps you can take, including:

  • Schedule an annual inspection of your home by a licensed pest control company.
  • Reduce moisture levels by extending gutter and drainage systems at least one foot from your home.
  • Ensure that sprinklers are directed away from the house.
  • Repair any water leaks found in or around your home as soon as possible.
  • Eliminate any wood-to-soil and stucco-to-soil contact.