Getting Rid of Termites Safely and Effectively is PermaTreat's Specialty.

Subterranean Termite

Although species vary throughout the United States, subterranean termites are the type most likely to attack your home.  Their underground colonies can contain millions of termites and they may also colonize and travel through tubes above ground.  But you may never see evidence of them...until a pest professional discovers they've seriously damaged your home.  In fact, termites cause $5 billion worth of damage each year in the U. S. alone - damage not covered by most homeowners' insurance.

In their search for food (wood/cellulose) and moisture, termites will squeeze through cracks as narrow as 1/32 of an inch to enter your home!  Expansion joints, foundation cracks, tiny gaps around plumbing, and service entries are all potential entry points.  And once they're in, undetected termites can mean untold damage.

Termites (or subterranean termites) live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground that can contain up to 2 million members. They build distinctive "mud tubes" to gain access to food sources and to protect themselves from open air. Termite colonies are organized into castes depending on tasks -- workers, soldiers and reproductives. The characteristics of a subterranean termite are dependent on the termite's role in the colony. Cream-colored Worker subterranean termites are 1/8 to 3/8's of an inch in length. Soldier subterranean termites are of a similar body length, but are distinguished by their powerful mandibles. Solider termites have cream-colored bodies and brown heads. Reproductive subterranean termites are approximately one inch long.

Habits
Subterranean termites live underground and build tunnels, referred to as mud tubes, to reach food sources. Like other termite species, they feed on products containing cellulose. Subterranean termites swarm in the spring -- groups of reproductive termites go off to start new colonies.

Habitat
Subterranean termites need contact with the soil to survive and live underground. They can build tunnels through cracks in concrete.

Threats
Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species. They can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time.

Prevention
Avoid water accumulation near your home's foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning downspouts, gutters and splash blocks. Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation. Never bury wood scraps or waste lumber in the yard. Most importantly, eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.

Information courtesy of Wikipedia and the National Pest Management Assn.