Eastern Subterranean Termites

What do Eastern subterranean termites look like?

Eastern subterranean termites have distinct castes, each with its own appearance and role in the colony. 

• Workers: These are the most plentiful termites in a colony. They are cream-colored and about ⅘ of an inch long.
• Soldiers: These are the termites that protect the workers. They are larger than the workers and have orange heads with black mandibles.
• Swarmers: These are male and female reproductive termites. They are black with long white wings rounded at the tips. They are typically ⅜ of an inch long but can be as long as ½ an inch.‍
• Queen: The queen is the reproductive leader of a termite colony. She starts as a swarmer (a winged reproductive termite) and, after mating, sheds her wings to establish a new colony. Over time, her abdomen enlarges significantly, allowing her to lay thousands of eggs daily.

What do Eastern subterranean termites eat?

Only the termite workers consume food. They digest it and create a food nutrient to share with the other termites in the colony. The primary food source for worker termites is cellulose, the structural component of plant cells found in wood, paper products, and fabrics. When they feed on structural wood, they often feed along the grain, where it is softer and easier to digest.

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Are Eastern subterranean termites more active during certain seasons?

Yes. These insects emerge in spring when temperatures warm up. Swarmers mate and establish new colonies in the spring. These colonies grow larger through the warm months and slow down when cold temperatures arrive.

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How do Eastern subterranean termites enter structures?

Eastern subterranean termites enter structures in a few ways:

• Through wood-to-soil contact: They often invade by traveling through wooden elements that touch the ground, such as deck posts, porch steps, or untreated siding.
• Via shelter tubes: When wood doesn’t directly touch the soil, worker termites build protective mud tubes of soil and saliva to reach above-ground wood.
• Through foundation cracks: Small openings in concrete, brick, or block foundations provide entry points for termites to tunnel up and access wooden structures.
• Around plumbing or utility lines: Gaps where pipes or wires enter a home can also serve as hidden pathways for termites.

Once inside, they stay hidden within walls, flooring, or wooden beams, making them difficult to detect until damage becomes significant.

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Where do Eastern subterranean termites nest?

Eastern subterranean termites establish their underground nests below the frost line and above the water table. When they create a nest near a structure, they’ll send worker termites to collect food from structural timbers and bring it back to the colony. They don’t typically live inside structures because their moisture requirement is high.

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How do Eastern subterranean termites damage homes and buildings?

Bit by bit, worker termites consume structural timbers. While they start with just the grain in the wood, they will hollow out entire beams. When they do this to support timbers, it can lead to many unwanted problems, such as:

• Bulging walls
• Sinking floors
• Dipping ceilings
• Doors and windows that stick
• Windows that open and close with no resistance

Termite infestations left untreated can cause extensive damage. Experts estimate the cost of termite damage in the United States is $5 billion annually. Unfortunately, homeowners insurance in Northern California (and most other places) does not typically cover termite damage. Insurance policies generally exclude termite infestations and structural damage because they are considered preventable maintenance issues rather than sudden or accidental damage. 

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How long does it take for Eastern subterranean termites to damage structures?

It takes 3 to 8 years for severe structural damage to occur. Unfortunately, this damage is often overlooked because termites eat wood from the inside out. Early detection or ongoing termite protection is critical.

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What are the signs of an Eastern subterranean termite infestation?

Signs of an Eastern subterranean termite infestation include: 

• Mud tubes: Small, pencil-sized tubes made of dirt and saliva found along foundations, walls, or in crawl spaces.
• Hollow-sounding wood: Tapping on wooden structures might produce a hollow sound, indicating internal damage.
• Wood damage: Wood may appear dark, discolored, or have visible holes and tunnels.
• Shed wings: Piles of discarded termite wings near windowsills, doors, or other entry points.
• Swarming termites: Seeing flying termites (swarmers) around light fixtures or windows, typically in spring. They might be mistaken for "white ants" because of their pale, ant-like appearance.
• Damp or cracked wood: Wood that feels moist or cracked may indicate termite activity beneath the surface.
• Visible termite activity: Seeing termites themselves, especially worker termites, moving through shelter tubes or swarming. They may also look like white ants at first glance. 

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What’s the best way to eliminate Eastern subterranean termites?

To exterminate termites in Sacramento, Chico, Redding, Anderson, and Northern California, contact Big Time Pest Control. Our locally owned and family-operated pest control company offers curative and preventative termite control services. When you partner with us, we’ll eliminate active termite infestations and provide year-round protection that stops new termite colonies from establishing. Contact us today for more information!

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How do I prevent Eastern subterranean termites?

To prevent subterranean termites, ongoing termite protection is a must. We also recommend making your property less conducive to termites and other pests. Here are a few prevention tips to implement: 

• Eliminate wood-to-soil contact: Ensure that wooden parts of your home, such as decks, steps, or siding, don’t touch the ground. Termites can easily travel from the soil to the wood if there’s contact.
• Fix leaks: Repair plumbing leaks to prevent water damage to wood and moisture buildup. 
• Remove wood debris: Keep firewood, mulch, and wood piles at least 20 feet from your home.