Subterranean & Drywood Termites

Termites are structured very similar to an ant colony.  The majority of the colony population is made up of worker termites.  Worker termites are responsible for constructing tunnels, caring for eggs, and securing the food supply. The soldier termites are responsible for defending the colony. Winged reproductive termites produce the offspring in the colony and swarm at certain times of the year.

There are two common types of termites found in Arizona, they are “Drywood” and “Subterranean”

termites.  Subterranean termites live in the soil and leave mud shelter tubes and exit holes as a sign of infestation. Drywood termites live entirely in wood and leave fecal pellets and frass next to infested area.

Termites can not determine the difference between the wood material from a tree in your back yard and the wood material found in your homes structure.  The can infest almost every part of your home and can enter through a crack or opening as thin as a piece of paper.

Termite fun fact: Termites cause more damage then most natural disaster (tornadoes,hurricanes, wind and hail storms) combined.