Subterranean termites are the most destructive insect pests of wood. In nature, termites scavenge wood, breaking down dead trees, branches and the wood which accumulate in forests. The breakdown products of wood are returned to the soil as humus.
Problems begin when termites invade human structures.
Unfortunately by the time the termites are seen the damage is already done. Homeowners should practice prevention. Successful chemical control almost always requires the services of a qualified pest control operator. Winged reproductives swarm from mature colonies to disperse and establish new colonies. Worker termites, the ones that damage wood by eating the softwood layers, are white and soft-bodied.