Subterranean termites’ purpose in nature is to feed on dead wood, breaking it down on a cellular level, so that it can be reused by nature. The trouble comes when colonies that are in the ground surrounding our homes, find ways through our foundations, and begin to feed on the structural wood in our houses or buildings, including wall studs, floor beams & joists, molding & trim, wood flooring, drywall, paneling, etc…Termites often go undetected for extended periods of time, all the while causing structural & cosmetic damage to our homes. The worker termites which gain entry & feed on your structural wood, are cryptic in nature, and require a dark, moist environment to live & thrive. In order to travel back & forth from the underground colony to an above ground food source, subterranean termites construct mud shelter tubes, which are made of soil, saliva, & fecal matter, to shield them from light and air. They must maintain ground contact for continued moisture, as well as to support the colony with food. The illustration below describes how Satilla Pest Control will establish a termiticide barrier in the soil to eliminate the current infestation, as well as to prevent future infestations for years to come.