What is a subterranean termite?
Subterranean termites live underground. Since underground termites have a high moisture requirement, you will not likely find them out in the open. You must look under leaf piles, mulch, dead branches, and other objects in your yard.
When these termites attack your home, they do it from the ground. Look near the ground (or under it) to find evidence. Check structural wood behind damp landscaping to find damage. Dig soil away from wood supports that go down into the ground. If termites are present, you may see little pale worker termites.
Subterranean termites have a strong connection to soil. Their need for soil is so great that they collect dirt and mix it with saliva to create a muddy building material. They use this material to build shelter tubes above ground. You may see these structures if you have a subterranean termite infestation.
Sometimes, evidence of termites is indoors. You might notice damage where you have a moisture problem. You might tap on a solid piece of wood and find it sounds hollow. But most of the time, it is challenging to detect termite damage. This is a big reason why termites cost U.S. property owners $5 billion annually.
Indoor termite swarms are easily detected
While the damage termites do is hard to detect, you’re not likely to miss termite swarmers if they show up inside your home. Here are a few reasons why:
- Swarmers are three times the size of worker termites.
- Swarmers are dark-colored.
- Swarmers have long white wings that stack on their backs and straight or blunt tips, unlike flying ants.
- Swarmers do not have as high a moisture requirement, so they can appear in the open.
- Swarmers often crawl on window panes where they are easily seen.
- If you miss the swarmers, you will likely see their discarded wings around windows or doors.
This may sound like great news, but there is some bad news to keep in mind. Subterranean termites build their nests in the ground. If you see swarmers inside your home, it is because they are already infesting your home. Moreover, termite nests don’t produce swarmers at first. It takes years. This means that if you see termite swarmers inside your home, worker termites have been there for a while.
What you should know about outdoor termite swarms
When termite swarmers appear outdoors, you may see them. All those dark-colored insects with extended wings are more noticeable when congregating or flying together on their nuptial flight.
- A termite swarm outside does not mean you have an infestation in your home but rather a colony nearby.
- Swarms often occur during monsoon season or in January to March when temperatures climb.
- A swarm comes and goes quickly, often in less than 30 minutes.
- The purpose of a swarm is reproduction, meaning you or your neighbors are about to have new termite colonies developing.
- Swarmers shed their wings but often do it in concealed places, such as underneath decks or in dense vegetation. They’re drawn to shade and humidity.
We don’t recommend waiting until you see a termite swarm. Termite damage prevention requires proactive control.
How to detect termites in Phoenix
While there are many ways to uncover termite activity, we don’t recommend relying on do-it-yourself inspections because these insects are elusive. Contact Termio Pest Control to request a termite inspection. Our technicians have the training and experience to find subtle signs of termite damage or activity and evaluate conducive conditions. We’ll let you know what we see and recommend a solution to protect your home.
A professional-grade termite baiting solution is the way to go if you're looking for ongoing termite detection. Our Termio Pest Control team installs and maintains Trelona ATBS. This proven baiting system intercepts termites as they search for food on your property. When worker termites find the bait, they collect it and take it to their colony. The result of exposure to the bait is termite colony elimination.
What if termites are in my house?
In addition to installing the Trelona ATBS around the perimeter of your home, if you have an active termite infestation inside, we directly treat infested areas with professional-grade products if termites are detected inside. Our treatment is invisible to termite workers, so they come into contact with the active ingredient when they pass through the treated areas. They then share it with other termites when they groom each other. The result is colony elimination.
Contact Termio for the best termite control in Phoenix
Termio Pest Control’s termite control services treat the source of your problem, not the symptom. We eliminate the termite colonies that send worker termites into your home to cause damage. No more colony, no more damage. Serving the Phoenix metro, including Chandler and Queen Creek, our local team is ready to help you protect against termites. If you’ve noticed swarming insects or other signs of termites, contact us today to schedule a termite inspection.
