Subterranean Termites In Alabama: What You Should Know

December 20, 2021


A beautiful destination for beachgoers in Alabama is Orange Beach. It has eight miles of beautiful white sands where people can relax, reconnect, and have fun. Whether in the water or out, the entertainment factor is high. Subterranean termites like to have fun, too; however, their idea of fun is constantly eating. If Alabama residents aren’t careful, their property could become the next meal.

Termites on rotted wood

Everything Alabama Residents Need To Know About Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite found in the country. Understanding subterranean termites begins with recognizing three primary castes.

A breakdown of the castes, where they live, and how they behave are as follows:

  • Reproductives: This group consists of a king, queen, and alates (swarmers). In this group, the king is smaller than the queen. Colors range from creamy-white to dark brown or black. Their long bodies are narrow and oval-shaped with swarmers ranging from 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch in length. They have wings that are a milky color.
  • Workers: These termites do not have wings, and their bodies are a creamy white color and about ¼ inch long. They use their small jaws to chew away at wood and transport materials.
  • Soldiers: This termite has no wings, a cream-colored flat and wide body, and a rectangular head with a darker brown color. Its jaw is more pronounced than that of the workers.

Subterranean termites live together and can be found above or below ground. They can be in dead trees, tree stumps, fence posts, firewood, wooden structures within homes, and wood debris outside. They require moisture, so they are constantly moving to destinations that will provide this for them. They will silently move to different locations using mud tubes to keep themselves protected. When they find an acceptable food source, they eat nonstop. Since their favorite food is anything that contains cellulose (a prominent structure in plant cells), they damage plants and wood.

Why Alabama Property Owners Should Be Aware of Subterranean Termites

Because subterranean termites go about their business of silently eating, property owners are often unaware that their structure is in danger. These “silent destroyers” lay into the wood with their saw-toothed jaws and feast 24-hours a day, seven days per week. Colonies can eat about 1/5th of an ounce of timber daily. While not sounding like a lot, 1/5th of an ounce adds up to a 2x4 piece of wood after a year. If left untreated for years, termites can cause so much damage that they will cost you expensive repairs or completely collapse your building.

Little-Known Secrets To Subterranean Termite Control In Alabama

When considering prevention measures in and around your building, soil-to-wood contact and moisture problems are critical areas to address. With vigilance and preventative maintenance, property owners can fight these silent menaces.

Six ways to hold back termite infestations in and around your property include:

  1. Install or repair downspouts, splash blocks, and gutters to divert water run-off.
  2. Repair any areas around the building foundation that accumulate water.
  3. Seal cracks and crevices in the building’s foundation.
  4. Make a barrier between any wood structures and the soil.
  5. Visually inspect around foundations regularly for termite mud tubes.
  6. Ventilate or use a dehumidifier in areas that have high humidity.

The Best Way To Protect Alabama Residences From Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are pests that are impossible to remove with do-it-yourself measures. Trust your most expensive investment to the pest professionals at Havard Pest Control. We are a family-owned and operated business that has been fighting pests since 1947. Call Havard Pest Control today for a free inspection of your property and receive recommendations for removing your pest nightmares.




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