Subterranean Termites – The control of termites is a major portion of
control work over a large part of the United States. Many pest control companies do only termite control, while most
companies that control other household pests also do termite control. In no other aspect of pest control do so many variables
affect the type of work to be done and the results of the control operation. Termite control specialists must be knowledgeable
in building construction, termite biology and behavior, the proper and safe use of chemicals, the use and maintenance of
equipment, and safety. Termite control specialists must use considerable judgment in the performance of every job.
Subterranean Termite Colony
Representatives of the castes of the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar).
Right: The winged (alate) primary reproductive. These alate forms are the familiar swarmers that
often give the first indication that a structure is infested.
Middle row, top: The sexually underdeveloped worker. The members of this caste are the individuals
that do the actual damage. Note the complete lack of wing pads.
Middle row, center: The soldier is greatly modified in head structure and serves a completely specialized function in
the division of labor within the colony. It works solely in the defense of the colony and cannot feed itself.
Middle row, bottom: A developing supplementary reproductive. Note the lengthened wind pads, which
are usually the first indication of the development of these reproductives.
Left: A functional supplementary reproductive. Female supplementary reproductives are thought to
be the most important of the reproductive individuals in the subterranean termite colony.
Subterranean Termite Reproductive
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