Eastern Subterranean Termites
(Reticulitermes flavipes)
The most destructive pest in the US, silently eating wood from the inside out and causing billions in damage annually.
Overview
Eastern subterranean termites are the most economically destructive insect pest in the United States, causing an estimated $5 billion in damage annually — more than fires, floods, and tornadoes combined. Bowling Green sits squarely in the heavy termite activity zone. These termites live in underground colonies that can contain hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals. They travel through mud tubes to reach wood in structures, feeding on it from the inside out. Because they work silently and out of sight, damage is often extensive before the infestation is discovered. Homeowner's insurance typically does not cover termite damage.
Appearance
Worker termites (the ones that cause damage) are small, about 1/8 inch long, soft-bodied, and pale white to cream-colored — earning them the nickname 'white ants.' Soldiers have an enlarged, yellowish-brown head with prominent mandibles. Swarmers (winged reproductives) are about 3/8 inch long, dark brown to black, with two pairs of equal-length wings. Swarmers are often the first visible sign of an infestation.
Habitat
Eastern subterranean termites maintain their primary colony in moist soil. They must maintain contact with the soil or a moisture source to survive. They construct pencil-width mud tubes (shelter tubes) on foundation walls, piers, and other surfaces to travel between the soil and wood food sources. They prefer damp, decaying wood but will readily feed on sound structural lumber, particularly in areas with moisture problems.
Diet
Termites feed on cellulose — the primary structural component of wood. They eat structural lumber, plywood, OSB, hardwood flooring, paper-backed drywall, cardboard, books, and any other cellulose-containing material. Workers share digested cellulose with the entire colony through a process called trophallaxis. They can also feed on living trees and landscape timbers.
Lifecycle
Mature colonies produce winged swarmers (alates) that emerge in spring, usually on warm days following rain. After a brief mating flight, pairs land, shed their wings, and establish new colonies. It takes 3 to 5 years for a colony to mature to a size that produces swarmers. A mature colony can contain 60,000 to over 1 million workers. Queens can live for over 25 years.
Signs of Infestation
- !Mud tubes (pencil-width, tan tunnels) on foundation walls, piers, or in crawl spaces
- !Swarms of small, dark, winged insects emerging indoors in spring — especially near windows and lights
- !Discarded wings found in windowsills, on floors, or in spider webs near the foundation
- !Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- !Buckling or bubbling paint on wood surfaces
- !Sagging or soft floors, particularly near exterior walls
Prevention Tips
- ✓Eliminate wood-to-soil contact around the foundation (keep siding and framing at least 6 inches above grade)
- ✓Fix all moisture problems — leaky pipes, poor drainage, and condensation issues
- ✓Ensure gutters and downspouts direct water well away from the foundation
- ✓Remove dead trees, stumps, and buried wood debris from the yard
- ✓Avoid storing firewood, lumber, or cardboard against the foundation or in crawl spaces
- ✓Schedule annual professional termite inspections — early detection is critical
Professional Treatment
Professional termite treatment options include liquid soil treatments (termiticide barriers) applied around and under the foundation, and bait station systems installed around the perimeter of the home. Liquid treatments create a continuous chemical barrier in the soil that kills termites as they pass through. Bait systems use cellulose bait containing slow-acting insecticide that workers carry back to the colony, eventually eliminating it. Most pest control companies offer termite warranties with annual inspection and re-treatment guarantees. Professional treatment is essential — no DIY method is effective against subterranean termites.
Did You Know?
- •A large termite colony can eat approximately 1 pound of wood per day.
- •Termite queens can live for over 25 years and lay thousands of eggs per day.
- •Termites have been around for over 250 million years — they predate flowering plants.
- •Despite being called 'white ants,' termites are more closely related to cockroaches than to ants.
1/8 to 1/4 inch (workers); 3/8 inch (swarmers)
Workers: pale white to cream; Swarmers: dark brown to black
6
Soft-bodied, straight-sided (workers); winged with straight antennae (swarmers)
Subterranean termite, White ant
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