Telltale Signs of Subterranean Termites: Mud Tunnels and Fallen Wings

What Makes Subterranean Termites Unique?

Subterranean termites differ significantly from their drywood and dampwood counterparts. Rather than nesting directly within wood, subterranean termites establish colonies underground. This strategy shields them from weather extremes and allows them to access a wider range of environments. In contrast, drywood and dampwood termites nest inside the wood they infest.

How to Spot Subterranean Termite Activity

To travel between their underground nests and wooden structures, subterranean termites build distinctive passageways called “mud tubes” or “mud tunnels.” These narrow, pencil-thin tubes act as vital conduits between their nest and their food source, facilitating a steady flow of workers to and from the wood they consume.

Mud tubes typically appear along your home’s foundation and sometimes even extend up walls. They resemble thin trails of dirt and are an unmistakable sign of termite activity. If you find one, try carefully slicing it open to see if termites are inside. This can help confirm if the colony is still active

Guaranteed Subterranean Termite Elimination

Franz Termite Subterranean Termite Treatment

We use proven, effective methods to eradicate subterranean termite infestations for good. Our approach targets termites at the source to ensure they don’t return.

To stop subterranean termites, we treat the soil around your building’s exterior perimeter. This creates a barrier that termites must pass through to reach your home, providing comprehensive protection against infestation.

Subterranean termites are “social” insects like ants or bees; this means that they create and live in a highly organized colony.

Worker termites continuously travel between their food source—your home—and their colony. When these workers come into contact with treated soil, they carry the active ingredient back to the colony, spreading it to other termites through contact.

Unlike traditional treatments that may only repel termites or kill those that touch the treated area, our approach targets the entire colony. By reaching termites at the source, we don’t just stop termites that enter your home; we eliminate the entire colony for lasting protection.

I Spy…A Subterranean Termite – Facts & Identification

Termite workers have somewhat similar appearances across species, but differ mainly in size.

Subterranean termites are the smallest, whereas drywood termites are a bit larger in size and the seldom-seen (in our service areas) dampwood termites can reach a full 1 mm.

The coloration of termite workers will vary by species. While they all have bulb-like bodies, subterranean termites are a milky white, while drywood termites are off-white and dampwood termites are an opaque, beige color.

You can also identify termites by their castes, namely, swarmers and soldiers.

While you might not find a whole swarmer on its own (they look similar to winged ants) you may be able to identify piles of wings that the swarmers will sometimes leave around after entering your home.

Subterranean Termite Wings on a Windowsill (Image: NC State – Entomology Dept)

Swarmers tend to be found near windowsills, with subterranean swarmers often dying with their wings attached (as opposed to drywood swarmers, which almost always shed their wings). Furthermore, subterranean swarmers wings have two thick veins inside them, while drywood swarmers have three to four.

Soldiers’ distinct differences appear mostly on their heads. Subterranean soldiers have rectangular heads with “toothless” (smooth) mandibles, while drywood termites have rounded heads with toothy-looking mandibles.