Subterranean Termite

What it looks like

• Workers: small, soft-bodied, creamy white — almost never seen unless wood is broken open
• Soldiers: cream-colored body, large dark mandibles
• Swarmers: dark brown/black, ~3/8" with two pairs of equal-length wings (vs. ant swarmers which have unequal wings)
• Antennae are straight (ant antennae are bent/elbowed)

Where you'll find it

• Underground colonies in soil — they tunnel up into wood
• Sill plates, floor joists, sub-flooring, and wall studs
• Wood in contact with soil (deck posts, fence posts, porch supports)
• Mulch beds and woodpiles against the foundation

Behavior & biology

Subterranean termites live in underground colonies of 60,000 to over a million individuals. Workers tunnel up through soil and build mud tubes to access wood — they need contact with soil moisture and avoid open air. They eat cellulose continuously, weakening structural wood from the inside out. A mature colony eats roughly 5 grams of wood per day. Iowa colonies swarm in March, April, and May — winged reproductives emerge during warm humid days, often after rain.

Iowa activity calendar

Signs of an infestation

• Mud tubes (pencil-width, brown) running up foundation walls, piers, or basement walls
• Swarms of dark winged insects in spring, often near sun-warmed windows
• Discarded wings near windows and door frames after a swarm
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
• Buckling paint, sagging floors, or warped trim (advanced damage)

Health & property risk

Termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage annually in the US — more than fire and wind combined. Damage is hidden until it's severe. A colony left untreated for 5–8 years can compromise sill plates, floor joists, and wall studs to the point of major repair costs ($10,000+).

How we treat it

1. 1

   Comprehensive inspection

   We inspect the entire foundation, basement, crawl space, and all wood in contact with soil. We look for mud tubes, frass, swarmer evidence, and damaged wood. Inspection includes a written report and treatment recommendation.

2. 2

   Liquid soil treatment OR baiting system

   Two proven approaches. Liquid termiticide (Termidor or similar) creates a continuous barrier in the soil around and under the foundation — applied via trenching and drilling. Bait stations (Sentricon-type) installed every 10 ft around the perimeter — workers feed on the bait and carry it back to eliminate the colony over 6–18 months.

3. 3

   Annual monitoring

   Termites are a long-game pest. Annual inspection catches new colonies before they cause meaningful damage.

4. 4

   Conducive conditions report

   We document moisture issues, wood-soil contact, and other factors making your home termite-friendly, with prioritized fixes.

Why DIY usually fails

Termite control is not a DIY job. The chemicals are restricted-use, the application is technical, and missing a single section of foundation invalidates the protection. Sentricon-type bait systems require licensed installation and quarterly monitoring.

FAQ