Subterranean Termites have been described as the most destructive Termites in the United States in recent years, causing damages worth several billions of dollars to wood. They can be found in the soil as well as wood that have been in contact with the soil for some time. Subterranean Termites attack woods by building tube-like structures in their nests on the walls. The Subterranean Termites are similar to other types of termites in colony composition: The reproductives, the workers, and the soldiers. The king and the queen mate and perform the reproductive functions of the colony while the soldiers protect the colony.

Subterranean Termites are black or darn Brown in color and their wings are twice as long as their bodies. Subterranean Termites do not feed on wood alone. They feed on all cellulose containing substances such as papers, plant fiber and fiber boards. The Protozoa micro organisms found in the digestive systems of Subterranean Termites can break down the cellulose and covert them to food.

Subterranean Termites absorb moist from wet wood and when they penetrate into the soil. Subterranean Termites can penetrate more than 50 feet into the soil in search of wood (food) and moisture. Expansion joints in concrete slabs also harbor Subterranean Termites when moist. Subterranean Termites are extremely difficult to discover when they hide in and around the wood. They could only be discovered by the movement of winged reproductive. They are also noticed with the formation of muddy tubes around woods and wood damages.

The spring season seems to be time when winged reproductive Subterranean Termites separate themselves from the rest of the colony. The males and females mate during flights after which they form new colonies. Winged reproductives can be distinguished from the rest of Subterranean Termites with their thick waist structure and equal size of wings. One noticeable feature during the flights in the springs is the breaking off of Termite wings. This should give an indication that termite colonies are around such places.

Subterranean Termites are normally attracted to bright light, this is why they can be found near windows and doors. Subterranean Termites build mud tubes so as to survive during low humidity conditions and against Predators. These tubes usually measure up to around 1 inch and they are the main evidences that Subterranean Termites are around a house.

Wood damages by subterranean damages can be detected by tapping the piece of wood with a metal. A hollow sound means Subterranean Termites have damaged or are still damaging the wood. This test is necessary because Subterranean Termites do not push their fecal deposits outside the wood. They rather use these fecal pellets to build their tunnels.

There are several ways one can prevent subterranean Termites from wrecking havoc in a building. Dead air pockets should be prevented from foundations of buildings through ventilation. Exterior woodworks should be situated at about 8 inches from floor. All wooden works in contact with the floor should be pressured treated while wooden works should not be allowed to be in direct contact with the soil.