When we think of the word subterranean our minds might take us to some deep very dark caves where you literally can’t see your hand in front of your face. You could never imagine living in utter darkness like this and if you stay too long, even in your imagination you’ll soon be looking for some light, any light and a way out. Termites actually live in this world and thrive is the secret abyss with no trouble at all.
The most common termite in the United States is the Eastern Subterranean Termite and colonies are located deep beneath the soil and workers fan out in tiny underground tunnels looking for food. This subterranean termite cannot live in the light for long at all and any time it is exposed they’ll build shelter tubes made from mud to keep the light out and the moisture in. Living above ground is simply not an option.
They say in life “to every rule there is an exception” and the same holds true for nesting sites for the subterranean termite. Although pretty rare, the eastern sub colonies have been found above grade level and to the technician who finds it, it’s always a surprise. I’ve found 3 such termite nests so far in my career. One was on the top of a bowling alley roof and the termites were supplied their precious moisture from a faulty a/c drip line, that was over 20 years ago. More recently I found 2 others within a mile or so of each other and both at about the same time. This rare find took me by surprise in both instances and in the beginning I had no idea that what I was looking at was anything but normal. I put together 2 short clips explaining what I found and what you should look for if it seems that something is irregular. I’d love to hear any comments from anyone else who has maybe found similar termite oddities so please just post them below.
Thanks and enjoy.
