Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites nest in soil and build mud tubes to reach wood, causing more structural damage nationally than any other termite. They are uncommon but present in parts of western Washington, so recognizing the signs early matters.

How to identify subterranean termites

Small, pale, soft-bodied workers stay hidden; dark winged swarmers appear in spring. The hallmark is pencil-width mud tubes running from soil up foundations to wood.

Behavior & season on Whidbey & Fidalgo

They live in underground colonies and travel through mud tubes to protected wood, needing soil contact and moisture. Swarms typically occur in spring, which is often the first visible sign.

Why subterranean termites are a problem

They can cause extensive, costly structural damage while hidden, hollowing wood from the inside. Because they are less expected here, infestations can go unnoticed longer.

Signs of subterranean termites activity

• Pencil-width mud tubes on foundations or crawl-space walls
• Spring swarms of dark winged termites
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
• Discarded wings near windows and light sources

How Salty Dog treats subterranean termites

We assess the situation and treat active infestations, and address soil moisture and wood-to-ground contact that allow colonies to reach the structure. Learn more about our Wood-Destroying Pest Treatment service, or browse the full Pest Library.

Frequently asked questions

Are subterranean termites common on Whidbey Island?

They are far less common here than dampwood termites, but they do occur in the region — which is why the mud-tube sign is worth knowing.

What do the mud tubes mean?

They are protected highways from the soil colony to wood. Finding them means an active or recent infestation that should be evaluated promptly.

Had a good experience with Salty Dog? Leave us a review — it helps your Whidbey and Fidalgo neighbors find honest, local pest control.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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Matthew is conscientious and careful. He has worked closely with us to address all of our concerns. He has tailored his efforts to the unique demands of our house as he performed an exclusion. The rodent activity has disappeared inside the house and has been vastly reduced outside. We are very happy with his work.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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We had not done pest control for quite some time, (our bad) and one day I needed service right away.   Matthew came ASAP and got us started on the right track.  He did work above and beyond what I expected for a more than fair price and shows up for scheduled maintenance as promised.   He does a great job and I recommend him highly.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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Matt at Salty Dog is both personal and professional, and provides services that are high quality, and very reasonably priced. He is clearly a service provider first and last. I've had previous experiences(with pest services and other) with national companies, when I felt I was sent a representative that was sales first, service provider 2nd. Matt is also well networked with contractors in our community, and gave me a couple great referrals for other work I needed done. The bottom line is that I highly recommend Salty Dog and Matt for any rodent/pest related issues.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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We’ve had an excellent experience with Salty Dog Pest Control. Matt’s attention to detail is outstanding, and what really sets him apart is his passion for treating the root of the problem—not just applying a quick fix. He took the time to explain what was going on, what he was doing, and why, which gave us a lot of confidence in the process.

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