Subterranean termites are a common wood destroying organism in Southern California. This termites however are not spotted as easily as the common Drywood Termite Infestation. The subterranean termite is an organism that needs to live underground due to the large amount of humidity that it needs in order to survive. Subterranean termites are most common in structures that are pre 1970 because the majority was built on raised foundations. On newer properties you have a slab (cement) foundation which helps prevent the termites from accessing your structure.<\/p>\n
Subterranean termite colonies are composed out of 3 primary types which includes the soldiers, workers and swarmers (for reproduction) and a queen. When inspecting for this organisms we look\u00a0primarily\u00a0for mud tubes. These are created by the workers to allow them to survive because they need a high level of moisture. Below you can see some pictures of the damage and of the mud tubes that subterranean termites create.<\/p>\n
The treatment method of\u00a0subterranean\u00a0termites is by using localized treatments. Structural Fumigation will not do anything to this type of termites as they live underground and the gas does not circulate through their tunnels. Depending on where the evidence fo the infestation is found a proper recommendation is given to successfully exterminate the colony. For example, if termites are found in the structure on the sub area then the sub flooring needs to be drilled and treated and the ground needs to be trenched out and treated as well, by doing this we make sure that we\u00a0eradicate\u00a0the problem completely. If the mud tubes are found on the structure slab then a perimeter treatment needs to be completed in order to exterminate the colony. Because Subterranean Termites live underground as its name states, by trenching the soil and injecting a liquid chemical we make sure that we completely exterminate the colony.<\/p>\n