Termites

What Do Subterranean Termites Look Like?

Subterranean termite colonies are made up of different castes, and each has a different role and appearance. The termites you could encounter may look quite different depending on whether they are workers, soldiers, or reproductives.

Workers
Worker termites are small, wingless, soft-bodied insects that are usually creamy white. They have straight, bead-like antennae and are blind. Workers forage for food, feed other members of the colony, and perform much of the work required to maintain the colony. Because subterranean termites typically travel through soil, wood, and mud tubes, workers usually remain hidden from view.

Soldiers
Soldier termites are also wingless and blind. They have pale bodies and noticeably larger, darker heads than workers, with prominent mandibles used to defend the colony. Soldiers generally remain with other termites rather than venturing out on their own, so finding one usually means part of the colony has been disturbed or exposed.

Reproductives
Winged reproductive termites, called alates or swarmers, look quite different from workers and soldiers. They have dark brown to nearly black bodies, straight antennae, and two pairs of long wings that are approximately equal in length. Their wings extend well beyond the abdomen. After a male and female pair leave the colony, mate, and establish a new colony, they shed their wings and become the king and queen.

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 uses the Sentricon® System with Always Active™ technology. Sentricon stations are placed in the soil around the perimeter of the home with termite bait already in place. As termites forage for food, they can find the stations, feed on the bait, and share it with other termites in the colony. The active ingredient prevents termites from successfully molting, ultimately eliminating the colony, including the queen. The stations remain in place to provide ongoing protection against future subterranean termite colonies.

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 request a 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 Trelona® ATBS 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 Trelona® termite bait stations for greatest peace of mind.