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Apr 23, 2024 · Look for the following termite damage signs that could indicate you have a subterranean termite infestation: Wood that sounds hollow when you tap it Mud tubes and tunnels in the garage,...
- Do subterranean termites live in your walls?Unlike other termites, subterranean termites don’t live in walls. They feed on beams, frames and studs behind the walls and joists that run along t...
- What do subterranean termites nests look like?Subterranean nests are located below the ground and invisible to the human eye. What people see instead are the mud tubes that the termites use as...
- Which are worse, subterranean termites or drywood termites?Subterranean termites cause more damage than drywood termites because they produce higher numbers of insects. Their colonies can grow to one million.
Subterranean termites can cause the most damage of any termite species. These termites build distinctive tunnels, often referred to as “mud tubes,” to reach food sources and protect themselves from open air. They eat wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using their saw-toothed jaws to bite off small fragments of wood one piece at a time.
- How Do I Know If I Have Termites?
- How Can I Prevent Termite Infestation?
- What Are The Different Types of Termite Treatments?
- Are Pesticides Used Against Termites Safe?
- How Do I Handle A Termite Infestation?
- What If Something Goes Wrong?
- What Is The Government's Role in Termite Control?
- Where Can I Get More Information?
The first step in prevention is to be on the alert for termites. Termites rarely emerge from soil, mud tubes, or food sources through which they are tunneling. Most people are not aware they have termites until they see a swarm or come across damage during construction. Some of the ways to discover if you have termites are listed below: 1. Examine,...
Make the Structure Less Attractive to Termites
During construction, use a concrete foundation and leave a ventilation space between the soil and wood. Cover exposed wood surfaces with a sealant or metal barrier.
Maintain the Termite Prevention Features
1. After construction, keep the soil around the foundation dry through proper grading and drainage (including maintenance of gutters and downspouts). 2. Reduce openings that offer termites access to the structure (filling cracks in cement foundations as well as around where utilities pass through the wall with cement, grout, or caulk). 3. Fix leaks immediately. 4. Keep vents free from blockage, including plants. 5. Ensure that trees and shrubs are not planted too close to the structure and do...
Non-Chemical Treatments
Some ways to keep termites out do not involve the application of insecticides. For example: 1. One such method is a physical barrier, typically incorporated during construction. 2. Steel mesh and sands of particular sizes have been shown to perform effectively as physical barriers. 3. Biological control agents (nematodes and fungi) have demonstrated some success, particularly in laboratory settings. Because these methods do not involve the application of an insecticide, EPA does not regulate...
Chemical Treatments
Before a company can sell or distribute any pesticide in the United States, other than certain minimum risk pesticides, EPA must review studies on the pesticide to determine that it will not pose unreasonable risks to human health or the environment. Once we have made that determination, we will license or register that pesticide for use in strict accordance with label directions. The pesticides used for the prevention or treatment of termite infestations are called termiticides and must demo...
As the federal agency responsible for regulating all pesticides, including termiticides, sold, applied, or distributed in the United States, EPA must ensure that the pesticide, when used according to label directions, meets current safety standards to protect human health and the environment. To make such determinations, we require more than 100 di...
Choose a pest control company carefully - Firms offering termite services must be licensed by your state. Ask to see the company’s license and, if you have any concerns, call your state pesticide r...Read the pesticide product label- The label tells you exactly how the product is to be used and provides information on potential risks. If the label does not include directions to control termites...Be aware of the how soon you can return to the treated residence- The time required before the residence can be reoccupied will vary by product and will be indicated on product labels. Make sure th...To register a complaint concerning a pesticide misapplication, contact your state pesticide regulatory agency . You may also want to call the National Pesticide Information Center’s (NPIC)toll-free hotline at 1-800-858-7378. NPIC provides experts who can answer a broad range of questions concerning pesticide-related issues, such as product use and ...
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has several termite research and control programs.National Pesticide Information Center
Tel: 1-800-858-7378 E-mail NPIC's website Termite Resource Guide State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies State Cooperative Extension Service Offices
May 3, 2024 · Subterranean Termite. Tell your neighbors. Contributed by: Doug Webb. Updated on: May 3, 2024. Subterranean termites have a voracious appetite, and can cause significant damage to wooden structures – including your home. This species of termite builds tunnels (called mud tubes) in the soil beneath your property.
- Terminix
Subterranean termites eat the wood from the inside out, so most of the damage is hidden from plain view. Often a probing tool, such as a screwdriver, helps to locate subterranean termite damage. When tapped on, wood damaged by termites sounds hollow.
When subterranean termites eat wood, they fill it with soil to help maintain the humidity. If mud tunnels are visible on the walls or foundation of your home, it is highly likely that you are experiencing a subterranean termite infestation. Subterranean vs. Drywood
Subterranean termites, in natural settings, work as beneficial insects by breaking down cellulose-containing materials, such as dead trees. They live in the soil and must maintain contact with the ground or some other moisture source to survive.
