Scientific Name: Reticulitermes hesperus
The western subterranean termite is part of the Rhinotermitidae family, which includes subterranean and some dampwood termites.
Distribution in the U.S.
The western subterranean termite is found in the western third of the United States, from Washington to southern California and into Idaho and Nevada.
Behavior
Western subterranean termites require soil contact for moisture. Their nests are often located in buried logs, and they frequently attack wooden building materials that offer food and protection from the sometimes brutal heat.
Do Western Subterranean Termites Damage Homes?
Western subterranean termites are known to infest homes and buildings. These western termites are the most destructive termites in California. (The Formosan termite is the most aggressive termite in California, but it is not widespread in the state.)
What Do Western Subterranean Termites Look Like?
Western subterranean termite alates are approximately 3/8 inch, including their wings. They have dark brown or black bodies with brownish wings.
Soldiers, which measure approximately 1/4 inch, have white bodies and cream-colored or yellowish heads.
Workers are grayish white and approximately 3/16 inch.
When Do Western Subterranean Termites Swarm?
Western subterranean termites can swarm any time of the year. They tend to swarm on warm, sunny days during the local area’s rainy season. In California, this tends to fall in autumn, winter or early spring. In Washington, swarms typically take place in spring in the eastern part of the state, and fall in the western part. Like other subterranean termites, western subterranean termites swarm during the day.
Subterranean Termites Preparing to Swarm:
These subterraneans are crawling out of a tunnel in order to swarm.