What’s eating away at your home’s structural supports?
You might be surprised to learn that there are several common termite species in our part of the country. Like other types of creatures, these small bugs have managed to find a way to eke out a living in Arizona’s harsh, unforgiving environment. Termites are especially common in areas with ready sources of wood, including mountain slopes and urban areas. Among Arizona’s termites, however, one variety stands out in particular: the subterranean termite.
How to Spot Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites come in several shapes and sizes. Each individual termite is a member of a specific caste. These highly specialized critters include:
- Reproductives: These are the only types of termites that actually reproduce. They’re further divided into primary, secondary and tertiary reproductives. Each termite colony is controlled by a queen that’s responsible for the bulk of its reproductive activity.
- Workers: Workers are white, wingless bugs that range in size from 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch. Their mouthparts are specially adapted for chewing through wood. They’re responsible for all of the damage caused by termite colonies.
- Soldiers: These creatures fight potential invaders, including termites from other colonies and ants. Ironically, they’re somewhat helpless otherwise: Workers must feed and clean them at regular intervals.
- Swarmers: These are winged reproductives that emerge after a colony has reached a certain level of maturity. They fly through the air in search of suitable locations for new colonies.
The Life Cycle of a Colony
Like ants and other colonial insects, subterranean termites live in colonies whose individual members can number in the millions. They form impressive networks of tunnels and chambers beneath the surface of the earth.
After a few years, colonies produce reproductive swarmers that have the ability to form new colonies. Occasionally, these new colonies merge with old colonies to form even larger complexes. When they approach wooden structures, they tend to flourish. Signs of damage caused by expanding termite colonies include:
- The presence of swarmers near your home or other structures
- Mud tubes that connect subterranean chambers to the surface
- Signs of damaged wood, including hollow-sounding supports, chewed-through beams and sagging floors
Your Termite Control Specialists in Phoenix and Tucson
Now that you know how to spot some of the signs of subterranean termites, you might be wondering what to do in the event that your house becomes infested with them. While there are some commonsense precautionary measures that you can take to minimize the likelihood of a full-scale infestation, these aren’t always 100% effective. Schedule a consultation with one of our termite control experts and learn how to take back your home.
