Eastern Subterranean Termites

The Eastern Subterranean termite is the most common and most widely distributed termite in North America. It is a problem for home owners and business owners throughout Missouri.

Termites feed on cellulose materials such as structural wood, wood fixtures, paper, books, and cotton. Occasionally, it will even attack the roots of shrubs and trees.

A mature colony of Eastern Subterranean termites can range from a low of 20,000 to a high of 5 million workers, with an average of 300,000. The colony´s queen will add 5,000 to 10,000 eggs per year to the total.

While Eastern Sub termite colonies are not the largest termite colonies you can find, there will often be more than one of them working in a single building.

Signs of Termites

• Dirt-colored tubes built to serve as protected paths from the earth to the wood the termites are feeding on.
• Translucent wings shed by the kings and queens during swarming. Swarming usually occurs in the spring, but other, smaller swarms can occur throughout the summer and fall.