Termite Glossary: Understanding Pest Control Terminology

Alate

A winged reproductive termite, also called a swarmer. Alates leave established colonies to mate and found new colonies. Seeing alates inside your home indicates a nearby infestation.

Caste

A specialized group within a termite colony. The three main castes are workers (who forage and feed), soldiers (who defend), and reproductives (who produce offspring). Each caste has distinct physical characteristics.

Colony

The complete social unit of termites including the queen, king, workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Colonies range from hundreds (young drywood) to millions (mature Formosan) of individuals.

Drywood Termite

A termite species that lives entirely within wood without soil contact. Common in South Florida. Identified by frass pellets and typically found in attics, furniture, and structural wood above ground.

Formosan Termite

An aggressive invasive subterranean termite species. Forms enormous colonies and causes rapid damage. Can build above ground nests called cartons. Often called super termites.

Frass

Drywood termite fecal pellets. Small, six sided pellets that accumulate in piles beneath infested wood. Frass is pushed out of kick out holes by termites cleaning their galleries. The most distinctive sign of drywood infestation.

Gallery

A tunnel or chamber excavated by termites within wood. Galleries are where termites live and travel. Extensive gallery systems indicate significant infestation duration.

Mud Tube

A protective tunnel made of soil, saliva, and fecal material built by subterranean termites. Mud tubes allow termites to travel between their soil colony and above ground food sources while maintaining the humidity they need to survive.

Queen

The primary egg laying female in a termite colony. Queens can live for decades and produce millions of offspring during their lifetime. Eliminating the queen is essential for colony elimination.

Soldier

The defensive caste of termites. Soldiers have enlarged heads with powerful mandibles or chemical defense mechanisms. They cannot feed themselves and rely on workers.

Subterranean Termite

A termite species that nests in soil and requires ground contact for moisture. Builds mud tubes to reach above ground wood. The most common termite type and the cause of most termite damage nationwide.

Swarmer

See Alate. A winged reproductive termite that leaves the colony to mate and establish new colonies. Swarmers shed their wings after mating.

Worker

The most numerous caste in a termite colony. Workers are responsible for foraging, feeding other colony members, building and maintaining galleries, and caring for eggs and young termites. Workers cause all termite damage.

Bait System

A termite control method using stations placed around a property perimeter. Stations contain wood monitoring material or active bait that termites consume and share with the colony, eventually eliminating it.

Barrier Treatment

Applying liquid termiticide to soil around and under a structure to create a continuous treated zone. Termites passing through the barrier contact the product and carry it back to the colony.

Borate

A boron based compound used to treat wood against termites and other wood destroying organisms. Borate treated wood is toxic to termites that attempt to consume it.

Fumigation

A whole structure treatment method where a building is sealed under a tent and filled with gas (typically sulfuryl fluoride) that kills termites throughout the structure. Requires evacuation for 2-3 days.

Non Repellent Termiticide

A liquid termite treatment product that termites cannot detect. Termites walk through treated soil unknowingly, contact the product, and transfer it to other colony members. More effective than older repellent products.

Preventative Treatment

Treatment applied before termite infestation occurs to prevent future infestations. Includes soil barriers, wood treatment, and monitoring programs.

Spot Treatment

Targeted treatment of specific infestation areas rather than whole structure treatment. Effective for localized drywood infestations where all activity can be identified and accessed.

Tentless Treatment

A treatment method that eliminates termites without tenting or fumigation. Products are injected directly into infested wood. Allows occupants to remain home during treatment.

Termiticide

Any chemical product designed to kill termites. Includes liquids for soil treatment, injectable products for wood treatment, and bait formulations.

Trench and Treat

A soil treatment application method where a shallow trench is dug around the foundation, termiticide is applied, and soil is replaced. Creates a continuous treated barrier.

WDO Inspection

Wood Destroying Organism inspection. A formal inspection that produces a standardized report documenting the presence or absence of termites and other wood destroying organisms. Often required for real estate transactions and VA loans.

WDO Report

The official documentation produced by a WDO inspection. Reports note any evidence of wood destroying organisms, damage observed, and recommendations. Required by lenders for many property transactions.

Active Infestation

A current, ongoing termite presence with live termites still present and feeding. Requires treatment. Distinguished from old damage where termites are no longer present.

Carton

An above ground nest structure built by Formosan termites using chewed wood, soil, and excrement. Cartons can develop in wall voids when moisture is available, allowing Formosans to survive without ground contact.

Evidence of Previous Infestation

Old termite damage or activity signs without live termites currently present. May indicate previous treatment or natural colony death. Does not require current treatment but suggests the property is attractive to termites.

Kick Out Hole

A small hole (1-2mm) that drywood termites create in wood surfaces to push frass out of their galleries. Finding kick out holes with fresh frass indicates active infestation.

Structural Damage

Termite damage affecting load bearing elements like floor joists, wall studs, headers, or roof trusses. May require engineering assessment and structural repair beyond simple wood replacement.

Swarmer Wings

Discarded wings left by termite swarmers after mating. Finding piles of wings indicates swarming occurred nearby. All four wings are equal length, distinguishing them from ant wings.

Wood to Soil Contact

Any situation where structural wood directly touches soil. Creates easy access for subterranean termites and is a common inspection finding that increases termite risk.

Annual Inspection

A yearly professional examination for termite activity. Recommended for all South Florida properties regardless of treatment status. Often required to maintain warranty coverage.

Damage Warranty

Warranty coverage that pays for repair of termite damage occurring after treatment. More comprehensive than re treatment only warranties. Terms and coverage limits vary by provider.

Re Treatment Warranty

Warranty covering additional treatment if termites return after initial treatment. The most common warranty type. Does not cover repair of any damage caused before re treatment.

Renewal

Extending warranty coverage beyond the initial term, typically by paying an annual fee and maintaining inspection requirements. Keeps protection active after the initial warranty period ends.

Transfer

Moving warranty coverage from one property owner to another, typically during property sale. Some warranties transfer automatically while others require notification or fee payment.