Subterranean Termites control in San Antonio & the Hill Country
Soil-dwelling colonies that reach slabs, piers, and framing through hidden mud tubes. Swarms show up after spring rains across Stone Oak, Boerne, and the Hill Country.
01 · How to identify it
Subterranean Termites
Reticulitermes spp.
- Common name
- Eastern subterranean termite
- Scientific name
- Reticulitermes flavipes and related species
- Size
- Workers about 1/8 in; swarmers about 3/8 in with wings
- Color
- Workers creamy white; swarmers dark brown to black
- Tell-tale
- Straight waist, straight antennae, two pairs of equal-length wings
- Local season
- Swarms on warm mornings after spring rain, roughly March to May
02 · Signs
What will you notice?
- Pencil-width mud tubes on the slab or piers
- Piles of shed wings on window sills
- Swarmers coming from a wall or door frame
- Hollow-sounding or blistered trim
03 · Risk
Risk to home and health
- Hidden structural damage to framing, trim, and subfloors
- Damage is often not covered by homeowner's insurance
- Colonies can be active for years before anyone sees them
- No direct health risk, but swarmers indoors are stressful
04 · What to do
What do I do about subterranean termites?
- 01Do not break open or spray the mud tubes. We need them intact to read the activity.
- 02Collect a few swarmers or wings in a zip bag or take a close photo.
- 03Move mulch and firewood away from the foundation.
- 04Fix leaks at outdoor faucets and AC condensate lines.
- You see swarmers inside the house.
- You find a mud tube on the foundation or in the garage.
- You are buying or selling a home and need documentation.
“Every spring in Stone Oak I get the same call: "There are flying ants coming out of my bathroom." Nine times out of ten they're termite swarmers coming up through the plumbing gap in the slab. Look at the wings. If both pairs are the same length, it's termites. Save a few in a bag and call. Don't spray them away before we can confirm.”
Robert C. LeBlanc
Entomologist · Custom Pest Control05 · Field photos
Field photos & evidence from local jobs
Real photos from jobs involving subterranean termites.
06 · Treatment
How we treat it
Most termite quotes are written from a truck. Ours is written after a degreed entomologist confirms the species, because a slab home in Stone Oak and a pier-and-beam home in Boerne do not get the same treatment.
- 01 · Inspect
- 02 · Identify species
- 03 · Written plan
- 04 · Treat
- 05 · Follow-up
07 · Questions
What people ask us.
Are flying ants and termites the same?+
No. Termite swarmers have a straight waist and two pairs of equal-length wings. Ants have a pinched waist and a shorter back pair.
Will the swarmers damage my home?+
Swarmers themselves do not eat wood and die within a day or so. They are a sign of a colony nearby that does.
Do new homes get termites?+
Yes. Pre-construction treatment wears off over time, and slab cracks and plumbing gaps give termites access.
How fast do termites cause damage?+
Slowly, but steadily over months and years. That is why early detection matters more than speed.
