Pest Expert Overview: Subterranean Termites in Bryan & College Station
Subterranean termites, Reticulitermes and Coptotermes species, are soil dwelling insects that live in large colonies specialized in feeding on wood. The most common subterranean termite species in Texas is the Eastern Subterranean Termite, Reticulitermes flavipes. Colonies have several castes that vary in appearance. Generally, they are all milky white in color and wingless. However, colonies produce winged swarmers each spring which leave the colony to mate and start new colonies. Swarmers are black in color with opaque wings. The wings are shed after they fly away from the colony. Since subterranean termites are soil dwelling, they usually go unnoticed until swarmers come out.
Life Cycle
Subterranean termite colonies may grow to as large as a million individuals. They include the foundress queen, workers, soldiers and supplemental reproductives. Unlike ants, termite colonies are about 50:50 male to female. Workers are capable of molting into soldiers or supplemental reproductives, depending on colony needs.
Colonies are located under ground with workers foraging as far as 150 feet to find wood for the colony to consume. Termites have a symbiotic microorganism in their guts that help them to digest cellulose. Colonies must maintain contact with the soil to preserve moisture. To do this they build mud shelter tubes when above ground. This is often the only evidence of an infestation that is visible.
Termites spread either through budding, where part of a colony is separated from the main colony and continues to thrive, or through a reproductive swarm. Each Spring, colonies that are strong enough produce winged reproductive males and females. When environmental conditions over a region are favorable, the reproductives from colonies will fly from in a coordinated manner. Males and females from different colonies will mate and start a new colony. Swarms are another time when termite infestations in a structure will become known.
Why are they Pests?
In nature, subterranean termites are extremely beneficial in breaking down dead trees, limbs and other cellulose containing material. However, they also will infest and can destroy structural and decorative wood inside of homes. Controlling termites and repairing their damage is extremely expensive. The price tag for termite control in the United States is more than $2 billion annually.
Subterranean Termite Prevention
Professional inspections are very important when it comes to preventing extensive damage from subterranean termites. These should be done annually. As the homeowner, you can also aid in both prevention and inspection by correcting conducive conditions:
- keep foliage away from the house
- keep soil line low enough to be able to see the foundation
- Do not allow wood to soil contact
- Correct any high moisture situations
- Make sure your house is adequately ventilated
Professional Subterranean Termite Control
If you are dealing with an infestation of subterranean termites, Venus Pest Company can help. Founded by Aggie Entomologist Dr. Scott Lingren, we provide expert, eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management solutions in Bryan and College Station. To get started, fill out the contact form, call/text 979.774.0486 or email [email protected]. Don’t let nuisance pests take over your home!
