Eastern Subterranean Termite Control: How To Get Rid of Eastern Subterranean Termites

Eastern subterranean termites (also often just plainly called subterranean termites) are the termite species known to deal the most damage to homes and structures in the United States. If left untreated, these termites can eat into your home which will cost a hefty amount to repair. Termite damage caused by Eastern subterranean termites cost homeowners and building owners as much as $5 billion dollars annually in repairs, treatments and prevention.

Eastern subterranean termites are ground dwelling termites and invade homes from moist soil around and beneath structures. They basically travel from the soil to the home's wooden structure where they feed and create tunnels to travel and have easy access to their primary food source--cellulose. They are most commonly found in basements, crawl spaces, and in wooden structures in the home, especially where soil meets wood.

Eastern Subterranean termites are known as silent destroyers because they are rarely heard and can be quietly destroying your house without detection. These termites can also be hard to get rid of without the proper guidance and products. If you have an infestation of eastern subterranean termites, action must be taken quickly.

Our DIY treatment guide below was put together by our termite control experts and will show you exactly what you need to do to rid the termite infestation from your home and put a halt to the damage. Follow the steps carefully and use the recommended products to the side to achieve the greatest success in eliminating the subterranean termite population.

Identification

Before you can proceed with a treatment program, you will need to be sure that the pest you are facing is indeed a Eastern subterranean termite. Misidentification can lead you to using the wrong treatment products and be a waste of your time and money. Below are some traits about Eastern subterranean termites to aid in identification:

• Eastern subterranean termites colonize in the ground. The alates or swarmers are winged and leave the colony to carry out their responsibility of producing new colonies. If you see this stage of termite inside or outside your home it should be cause for concern since it is an indication that your home is dealing with a large infestation. Then you have the King and Queen termites known as the reproductives who stay within the colony nest for their entire lifespan.
• The worker termites are cream colored and are about an 1/8th of an inch long and are the main termites responsible for damaging the home structure for the consumption of wood. The workers and reproductives are protected by soldier termites which are 1/4 inch long their bodies are cream colored and the head is an orange-brown color and is rectangular shaped. They have large mandibles which they use to defend against intruders.

Use the decription and video above to help you in correctly identifying subterranean termites on your property. If you are having trouble with identification, contact our pest control experts to assist you in correctly ID'ing the termite you are dealing with. We will also offer you control recommendations based on the infestation you have.

Inspection

Where To Inspect

Start inside your home. Look in basements, attics, crawl spaces, and any area that uses wood. Inspect ceiling joists, support beams, wooden window frames, wooden door frames, and any part of your home made of wood.

You may find mudtubes around wooden structures, foundations or any other structural support. Swarmer wings found in your home is an indication of the swarmer termites being active in mating and creating a new colony within the home. Finding wings is a tell-tale sign that you have a heavy infestation.

What To Look For

The signs to look out for are mud tubes, frass, wings and feces. Mud tubes are pencil sized tunnels the termites create to travel to and from your home to their nest. 

When doing these inspections, be sure you equip yourself with a flashlight to check dark areas like basements or attics. You should also use a screwdriver or sharp ended object to probe termite galleries. Pay close attention to all wood construction, support posts and ceiling joists or areas where soil meets wood.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed termite activity it is time to begin treatment. Remember that you must first read all the product labels and follow their application instructions, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.

The best way of treating subterranean termites is to dig a trench around the home and place the treatment in the trench to act as a barrier.

Using a residual insecticide such as Supreme IT does a great job of killing termites. A great thing about this insecticide is that they stay effective for a long-time, between 5 to 10 years.

Step 1 - Termite Trench Treatment

Dig a trench around your home 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide. Mix 5 fl. oz. of Supreme IT with 4.9 gallons of water in 5-gallon bucket to have a 5 gallon emulsion.

Pour the mixture into the trench and immediately fill it back with dirt until it is turned into mud.

Repeat the process for each side of your home until the entire perimeter of your home is covered.

Step 2 - Red Eye Monitoring Stations & Fipro

Place Red Eye Monitoring Stations in areas conducive to termites. Place them anywhere from 8 to 10 feet apart and at least 5 feet away from the drip edge.

Monitoring the Red Eye is simple; There is a clear view window on the top of the station with a painted red eye on a wooden dowel. As termites come up through the bottom of the station, they will begin to feed on the wood. The red eye then drops letting you know that there is termite activity.

Take FiPro Foaming Aerosol and inject it into the station. The neat thing about this product is that its a foam so the longer you inject, the deeper it travels through the galleries in the ground, providing a direct kill.

Step 3 - Indoor Treatment With Fipro

Using the same Fipro Aerosol, apply the product in areas where there is termite activity such as voids, cracks and crevices found around doors, windows, fireplaces, where plumbing meets the wall and also in holes in the sheetrock which may lead to termite galleries.

Prevention 

After you have successfully eliminated Eastern subterranean termites from your property, you will want to ensure these pests do not return. Here are some preventative measures we suggest following to keep eastern subterranean termites away.

• To keep subterranean termites gone or prevent them from targeting your home to begin with, use Supreme IT. Supreme IT is a repellant and will provide many years of protection against termites. Use Supreme and perform a trench barrier treatment.
• You can also use Red Eye monitoring stations and place them around the home to monitor for termite activity.
• Other preventative measures you can take is to reduce moisture around the house. Fix all leaky roofs and windows or plumbing issues to keep your home and yard nice and dry.

Key Takeaways

What Are Eastern Subterranean Termites

• Subterranean termites are a soil dwelling termite that is known to cause the bulk of termite damage in the United States.

How to Get Rid of Eastern Subterranean Termites

• Our top recommendations for Eastern subterranean termite control is performing a trench treatment with Supreme IT around your home's perimeter and using Fipro Foaming Aerosol to treat cracks and crevices.

Preventing Eastern Subterranean Termite Reinfestations

• Prevent future termite infestations by using the Red Eye Termite Monitoring Station which will alert you of termite activity so you can take action with a Fipro Aerosol injection. 
• A barrier treatment of Supreme IT can help you with extended prevention of termite infestations.