◄ CONTENTS
CHAPTER 01

Termite Extermination: Liquid

Operation Deploy Barrier

CH.01PG. 1 / 3

About the Pest

About the Pest

Subterranean termites live in massive underground colonies and travel through mud tubes to feed on cellulose — the structural backbone of your home.

Subterranean termite swarmer (alate) with wings
SPECIMEN

Swarmer (Alate)

Photo: NY State IPM Program, Cornell — CC BY 2.0

Subterranean termite worker — Reticulitermes flavipes head close-up
SPECIMEN

Worker — Reticulitermes flavipes

Photo: USGS Native Bee Lab — Public Domain

CLASSIFIED // BO-01

Termite Extermination: Liquid

Subject Profile

  • Subterranean termites (Reticulitermes spp.) — the most destructive species in Texas.
  • Colonies can contain 60,000 to over 1 million workers.
  • Workers feed 24/7, every day of the year.

Habitat

  • Soil contact with wood — fence posts, deck supports, sill plates.
  • Damp crawlspaces and slab penetrations.
  • Mulch beds against the foundation.

Behavior

  • Build pencil-width mud tubes up foundation walls.
  • Swarm in spring after warm rains.
  • Avoid daylight — hidden damage is the rule, not the exception.