TermiteSigns.comTermite Terminology Glossary
Common terms related to termites, inspections, treatments, and wood-destroying insects.
A
Alate
A winged reproductive termite (swarmer) capable of starting new colonies. Alates emerge during swarming season to mate and establish new colonies.
A winged reproductive termite (swarmer) capable of starting new colonies. Alates emerge during swarming season to mate and establish new colonies.
Annual Inspection
Yearly termite inspection typically required to maintain treatment warranty. Checks for new activity and verifies treatment effectiveness.
Yearly termite inspection typically required to maintain treatment warranty. Checks for new activity and verifies treatment effectiveness.
B
Bait Station
In-ground monitoring and treatment device containing cellulose material or toxicant to attract and eliminate termite colonies.
In-ground monitoring and treatment device containing cellulose material or toxicant to attract and eliminate termite colonies.
Baiting System
Termite control method using strategically placed bait stations around property perimeter to intercept and eliminate foraging termites.
Termite control method using strategically placed bait stations around property perimeter to intercept and eliminate foraging termites.
Borate
Boron-based wood preservative that prevents termite feeding and fungal decay. Applied to bare wood as preventive treatment.
Boron-based wood preservative that prevents termite feeding and fungal decay. Applied to bare wood as preventive treatment.
C
Caste
Distinct groups within termite colony with specialized roles: workers, soldiers, reproductives (king, queen, alates).
Distinct groups within termite colony with specialized roles: workers, soldiers, reproductives (king, queen, alates).
Cellulose
Primary component of plant cell walls and wood. Termites digest cellulose with help of gut microorganisms.
Primary component of plant cell walls and wood. Termites digest cellulose with help of gut microorganisms.
Colony
Complete termite social unit including queen, king, workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Can range from hundreds to millions of individuals.
Complete termite social unit including queen, king, workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Can range from hundreds to millions of individuals.
Crawl Space
Accessible area beneath first floor of structure. Common location for subterranean termite activity and mud tubes.
Accessible area beneath first floor of structure. Common location for subterranean termite activity and mud tubes.
D
Dampwood Termites
Termite species requiring high moisture content in wood (20%+). Typically found in water-damaged wood, no soil contact needed.
Termite species requiring high moisture content in wood (20%+). Typically found in water-damaged wood, no soil contact needed.
Drywood Termites
Termite species living entirely within wood, requiring no soil contact or external moisture. Common in warm, coastal climates.
Termite species living entirely within wood, requiring no soil contact or external moisture. Common in warm, coastal climates.
E
Eusocial
Highly organized social structure with reproductive division of labor, overlapping generations, and cooperative care of young. Termites are eusocial insects.
Highly organized social structure with reproductive division of labor, overlapping generations, and cooperative care of young. Termites are eusocial insects.
F
Formosan Termites
Aggressive subterranean termite species native to Asia. Larger colonies, faster damage, and more difficult to control than native species.
Aggressive subterranean termite species native to Asia. Larger colonies, faster damage, and more difficult to control than native species.
Frass
Termite droppings or fecal pellets. Drywood termites produce distinctive hexagonal pellets pushed out through kick-out holes.
Termite droppings or fecal pellets. Drywood termites produce distinctive hexagonal pellets pushed out through kick-out holes.
Fumigation
Whole-structure treatment using gas (typically sulfuryl fluoride) to eliminate drywood termites. Requires tenting and evacuation.
Whole-structure treatment using gas (typically sulfuryl fluoride) to eliminate drywood termites. Requires tenting and evacuation.
G
Gallery
Tunnel or chamber excavated by termites within wood. Pattern and appearance vary by species.
Tunnel or chamber excavated by termites within wood. Pattern and appearance vary by species.
H
Hexaflumuron
Insect growth regulator used in termite baits (Sentricon system). Prevents termite molting, leading to colony elimination.
Insect growth regulator used in termite baits (Sentricon system). Prevents termite molting, leading to colony elimination.
I
IGR (Insect Growth Regulator)
Chemical that disrupts insect development or reproduction. Used in termite baits to prevent molting.
Chemical that disrupts insect development or reproduction. Used in termite baits to prevent molting.
Infestation
Active presence of termites in or around structure. Can range from localized to widespread.
Active presence of termites in or around structure. Can range from localized to widespread.
Inspection
Professional examination of property for termite activity, damage, and conducive conditions. May be visual or include probing and moisture detection.
Professional examination of property for termite activity, damage, and conducive conditions. May be visual or include probing and moisture detection.
K
Kick-out Hole
Small opening (1-2mm) created by drywood termites to expel frass from galleries. Often first visible sign of drywood infestation.
Small opening (1-2mm) created by drywood termites to expel frass from galleries. Often first visible sign of drywood infestation.
L
Liquid Treatment
Termite control method applying liquid termiticide to soil around and beneath structure to create protective barrier.
Termite control method applying liquid termiticide to soil around and beneath structure to create protective barrier.
M
Moisture Meter
Device measuring wood moisture content. Used during inspections to identify conducive conditions and potential termite activity.
Device measuring wood moisture content. Used during inspections to identify conducive conditions and potential termite activity.
Mud Tube (Shelter Tube)
Protective tunnel built by subterranean termites from soil particles and saliva. Provides moisture and protection while traveling between soil and wood.
Protective tunnel built by subterranean termites from soil particles and saliva. Provides moisture and protection while traveling between soil and wood.
N
Non-Repellent Termiticide
Insecticide termites cannot detect, allowing them to pass through treated soil and spread toxicant to colony. More effective than repellent products.
Insecticide termites cannot detect, allowing them to pass through treated soil and spread toxicant to colony. More effective than repellent products.
Nymph
Immature termite that can develop into worker, soldier, or reproductive depending on colony needs.
Immature termite that can develop into worker, soldier, or reproductive depending on colony needs.
P
Pheromone
Chemical signal used for termite communication. Guides foraging, alarm responses, and colony coordination.
Chemical signal used for termite communication. Guides foraging, alarm responses, and colony coordination.
Pre-Treatment
Termite prevention applied during construction before concrete slab is poured or structure is completed.
Termite prevention applied during construction before concrete slab is poured or structure is completed.
Q
Queen
Primary reproductive female in termite colony. Can live 10-25+ years and lay thousands of eggs daily in mature colonies.
Primary reproductive female in termite colony. Can live 10-25+ years and lay thousands of eggs daily in mature colonies.
R
Reproductives
Termites capable of reproduction, including king, queen, and alates (swarmers). Responsible for colony establishment and growth.
Termites capable of reproduction, including king, queen, and alates (swarmers). Responsible for colony establishment and growth.
Retreatment
Additional termite treatment applied when initial treatment fails or termites return. Often covered under warranty.
Additional termite treatment applied when initial treatment fails or termites return. Often covered under warranty.
S
Sill Plate
Horizontal wood member at foundation top. Common location for subterranean termite damage due to soil proximity.
Horizontal wood member at foundation top. Common location for subterranean termite damage due to soil proximity.
Soldier
Termite caste with enlarged head and mandibles for colony defense. Cannot feed themselves; fed by workers.
Termite caste with enlarged head and mandibles for colony defense. Cannot feed themselves; fed by workers.
Subterranean Termites
Termite species living in soil and requiring moisture from ground. Most common and destructive termite type in U.S.
Termite species living in soil and requiring moisture from ground. Most common and destructive termite type in U.S.
Swarmer
Winged reproductive termite (alate) that emerges during swarming season to mate and establish new colonies.
Winged reproductive termite (alate) that emerges during swarming season to mate and establish new colonies.
Swarming
Mass emergence of winged reproductives from mature colony. Timing varies by species and climate; often after rain in spring.
Mass emergence of winged reproductives from mature colony. Timing varies by species and climate; often after rain in spring.
T
Termiticide
Chemical product designed to kill or repel termites. Applied as liquid soil treatment, foam, or dust.
Chemical product designed to kill or repel termites. Applied as liquid soil treatment, foam, or dust.
Trenching
Excavating narrow trench along foundation to apply liquid termiticide. Part of traditional barrier treatment.
Excavating narrow trench along foundation to apply liquid termiticide. Part of traditional barrier treatment.
Trophallaxis
Mouth-to-mouth or anal feeding between termites. Allows sharing of food, pheromones, and gut microorganisms. Key to bait system effectiveness.
Mouth-to-mouth or anal feeding between termites. Allows sharing of food, pheromones, and gut microorganisms. Key to bait system effectiveness.
W
Warranty
Guarantee provided by pest control company covering retreatment if termites return. May include damage repair coverage.
Guarantee provided by pest control company covering retreatment if termites return. May include damage repair coverage.
WDI (Wood-Destroying Insect)
Category including termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and other insects that damage wood. Often required for real estate transactions.
Category including termites, carpenter ants, powder post beetles, and other insects that damage wood. Often required for real estate transactions.
WDI Report
Official inspection report documenting presence or absence of wood-destroying insects. Required for many real estate transactions.
Official inspection report documenting presence or absence of wood-destroying insects. Required for many real estate transactions.
Worker
Most numerous termite caste. Performs all colony labor: foraging, feeding others, building, and caring for young.
Most numerous termite caste. Performs all colony labor: foraging, feeding others, building, and caring for young.