Pestgon FactSheet
“ If they fly they die… if they crawl they fall”
TERMITES: (Isoptera)

Description:
Wood-eating termites are normally not seen since they inhabit wood internally, both above ground (dry wood termites), and underground (subterranean termites). In the United States, they have been reported, as having infested houses, as early as 1849. They are most often encountered when cutting or breaking open infested wood. The most common termites encountered by Pestgon Inc. in, southern California, appear pearly white in color, with a darker head and some with obvious dark mandibles (chewing parts). They are about 3/8 of an inch long, with a large head and ring separations around their fat abdomen. Termites form wings and swarm in large numbers in the spring and fall. That is when they are most often seen, both indoors and outdoors.
Biology:
Termites are ravenous wood scavengers and specialists at boring wood and eating out the soft cellulose between the wood ribs. That is why they are aptly called, “wood worms”. Subterranean termites inhabit the damp soil in search of decaying underground wood. They also built mud tubes from the ground up to the wood floor joices and substructures of buildings. Dry-wood termites generally seek dry wood above ground, such as wood siding, window frames and attics. Finding a pile of tiny pellets (like saw dust) that has fallen out of small hole in a piece of wood is, usually the first evidence of a dry-wood termite infestation. Because all termites reproduce in large numbers, given time, they are capable of digesting a whole house or commercial building!
Economic Damage:
It follows that termites are well known and feared, as one of the most damaging pests to the commercial property owner and homeowner. In the U.S. alone, the economic losses to property are in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Management Methods:
First of all, regular inspections and identification of the termite species by a Pestgon professional, is essential. Based on the termite inspection, Pestgon, Inc. may reccommend treating just the infested area of a building or if the infestation is extensive the situation may call for fumigating the entire building. Subterranean termites are often found under a concrete slab and enter through expansion joints or cracks in the foundation. This type of infestation calls for drilling and treating the subsoil. Additional treatment methods for subterranean termites include the use of underground bait stations. Wood that is specially baited with an approved termiticide is eaten and carried by the worker termites to their underground nest and it kills the whole colony before they have a chance to attack the building. Pestgon, Inc. finds that this is an effective prevention strategy for subterranean termites.

Additional Links
Subterranean Termites
Drywood Termites