Subterranean Termites

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What do subterranean termites look like?

Termite colonies in Colorado is divided into three groups, also known as castes. What termites look like depends on which caste they're a member of.  

Workers
There are the wingless termite workers, which are soft-bodied, cream-colored insects that group up to 1/4 of an inch in length. Although they have eyes, they do not develop eyesight. Workers are the group property owners are most likely to find in and around their homes as they are responsible for foraging.

Soldiers
Termite soldiers are slightly larger than workers and have elongated bodies that range in color from pale red to yellowish to light brown. Sometimes they are white. Soldiers have large heads and protruding mandibles that they use to defend the colony. Soldier termites, the caste solely responsible for defending the colony, are blind. 

Reproductives
As the largest members of a termite colony, these termites are approximately 1/3 of an inch in length and are black or brown in color. They are most easily identified by their wings. In fact, they are the only caste to have wings and they use them in order to leave their existing colony in search of a mate. Once that task is completed, they will lose their wings. 

Are subterranean termites dangerous?

Not directly; however, subterranean termites are a destructive species. Termite damage can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time. These wood-destroying insects can also be harmful to drywall and other building materials and even furniture and other household belongings.

What are the signs of termites?

These termites live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas above ground. In order to gain access to food sources without exposing themselves to the open air (they tend to dry out), termites build distinctive "mud tubes". For properties fighting these wood-destroying insects, mud tubes are a common sign of an infestation. Other signs of termites include, but are not limited to:

• Termites swarms inside the house or outside in the yard
• Discarded termite wings
• Blistering or hollow sounding wood 
• Drooping ceilings and doors
• Windows and doors that are hard to open
• Termite workers in the soil around the foundation or inside wall voids.

Why do I have a subterranean termite problem?

Having termites is all about conducive conditions, such as wood to ground contact, poor drainage, etc. Older homes or homes that have had water damage also increase the likelihood of having a termite problem. A full inspection by one of our trained professionals can show you where these issues might be.

How do you get rid of termites?

Getting rid of termites is a very big task. They live in the ground as far away at 300 feet and cannot be exposed to the air, so treatment is time consuming. If the entire colony is not destroyed, they will keep coming back. Only termite control from an experienced Colorado pest control company will be effective.

At EnviroPest, our termite treatment options include a monitoring & bait system like the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System; or a liquid treatment, where a liquid termiticide is applied in an underground "curtain" around the house. Newer products get picked up on the termites as they walk through unknowingly and then take that material back to the rest of the colony. With the Sentricon® System, multiple monitoring stations are placed around the house. When one of them shows signs of activity, a bait is added, which is also taken back to the colony.

Is the termite treatment safe?

Not for the termites! To resolve termite infestations in homes and businesses, EnviroPest uses the least amount of material as possible while still remaining effective.

We utilize natural products, baits and mechanical means as a form of treatment as much as possible. When conventional materials are required, we follow very stringent guidelines for the use of the product so that it poses no threat to people or pets. All products are registered by the EPA. Our service technicians will inform you of any specific safety measures that need to be taken.

How much does termite control cost?

The cost for exterminating termites depends upon the severity of the infestation, the type of treatment we recommend, and other factors. For more information on termite pricing, please give us a shout or get an instant termite quote. 

How soon can you get here?

We take termite problems seriously and are committed to helping you as soon as possible. In most cases, we can respond the same or very next day

How can I prevent termite activity?

The Sentricon® System doesn't just get rid of the existing problem, it monitors for new termite activity. A few termite prevention tips that will help keep these pests away include:

• Keep mulch away from the home.
• Don't allow soil to wood contact.
• Don't stack firewood up against your dwelling or inside.
• Remove all rotten or decaying wood and debris from your property.
• Correct any leaky piping or appliances to prevent water damaged wood (termites love it).
• Install the Sentricon System for greatest peace of mind.