When people think or hear about termites, they always picture them eating the woods. But you’re quite mistaken. Subterranean termites can damage wood secretly. Be careful because these silent destroyers are the most destructive in Arizona. They are a headache for homeowners living in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and all over Maricopa County.
The tricky part? They spread silently through soil, concrete cracks, and even irrigation systems. In this post, we’ll break down how subterranean termites spread in Arizona, what attracts them, and how you can protect your home before it becomes a costly repair job.
Understanding Subterranean Termite Colonies
The subterranean termites are not the original dwelling in your walls; they live in the soil just beneath your home. The hilarious thing? There are hundreds to thousands of them in the colony. They build such a great army to find wood and moisture. If you want to know where their colony is, it is located, centered deep underground. Termites can build mud tubes, also known as tiny tunnels, to travel inside your house.
The queen termite? She can live 10 to 20 years, producing thousands of eggs per year. This means that even if you treat one spot, the colony could still be active nearby.
How They Spread to Arizona Homes
Termites don’t need a wide-open door to get in. In fact, they often enter homes through tiny cracks in concrete foundations, expansion joints, and plumbing entry points. Subterranean termites are also highly drawn to moisture, something surprisingly common even in our desert climate.
Here’s how they spread to homes across Arizona:
- Mud tubes leading from the ground to wood siding or framing
- Soil-to-wood contact (fence posts, wood steps, planter boxes touching the ground)
- Moist soil from irrigation systems or dripping AC units
- Winged swarmers that leave one colony and fly to start another common during Arizona’s spring swarm season
Common Entry Points in Phoenix-Area Homes
Arizona homes are especially vulnerable due to common construction styles and landscaping habits. Watch for:
- Cracks in slab foundations or near garage seams
- Expansion joints between concrete sections
- Gaps where plumbing or utility lines enter the house
- Stucco or siding that extends below the soil line
- Wooden structures like posts, decks, or planters that sit directly on the ground
How to Prevent Subterranean Termites from Spreading
Stopping termites starts with making your home less inviting to them. Here’s how:
- Remove any wood-to-soil contact, use metal or concrete bases under fences and posts
- Repair leaky pipes, irrigation, or AC units that moisten the soil near your foundation
- Seal cracks and joints in your slab or foundation
- Keep mulch and soil at least 6 inches below siding
- Schedule annual termite inspections from a trusted Phoenix termite control company
- For new homes, consider soil pre-treatment or installing a perimeter termite barrier
What One Homeowner Learned About Subterranean Termites: The Hard Way
I never thought termites would be something I’d have to worry about living in the desert. We moved into our home in Chandler thinking we were escaping bugs, not inviting them in from underground! About a year in, I started noticing weird mud lines along the edge of our garage wall. I had no idea what they were until a friend told me they were mud tubes from termites. Cue the panic.
At first, I thought, ‘Okay, maybe it’s just outside.’ But when a pest inspector came out, he found evidence of subterranean termites traveling through a tiny crack in our foundation and making their way toward the wooden support beams in our living room wall. I was shocked and honestly, a little grossed out.
We decided to go with a full perimeter treatment and I’m so glad we did. The tech explained how these termites spread underground, how easily they go unnoticed, and how common it is in our area even in newer homes like ours. It wasn’t just about killing the bugs; it was about stopping the colony from ever coming back.
It’s been over a year now, and we haven’t had a single sign of activity. I sleep a whole lot better knowing there’s a protective barrier between our home and whatever’s crawling around beneath it. If you’re living in Arizona and think termite damage only happens to ‘older houses,’ think again. Get the inspection. Save your house before they make it dinner.”
– Mark T., Homeowner in Chandler, AZ
Worried About What’s Beneath Your Foundation?
Don’t wait for months or years to come before you notice the damage they have done. Act fast when you spot mud tubes, swarmers, and all the signs above. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Call Spark Pest Control today for a thorough inspection. We don’t waste time; providing long-lasting protection is our goal in Arizona. We have protected different homes; let us protect yours, too.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do subterranean termites spread from house to house?
Subterranean termites live in the soil and spread by building mud tubes underground or above ground to reach new food sources. They can move through soil, foundation cracks, and utility lines, making it easy for them to travel from one house to another—especially in neighborhoods with shared green space or irrigation systems.
2. What attracts subterranean termites to my Arizona home?
They’re mostly attracted to two things: moisture and wood. Leaky irrigation systems, poor drainage, wood-to-soil contact (like posts or planter boxes), and even air conditioning runoff can draw them toward your home.
3. Can subterranean termites spread through concrete?
Yes. While they can’t eat concrete, they can squeeze through hairline cracks as small as 1/32 of an inch. They use these tiny gaps in slab foundations, expansion joints, and plumbing access points to reach interior wood structures.
4. When is termite swarm season in Arizona?
In Arizona, subterranean termite swarming typically happens between March and May, especially after rain. Swarmers (winged termites) leave their colonies to start new ones, which is why this season is a high-risk period for spreading.
5. What are mud tubes, and why are they important?
Mud tubes are thin, pencil-sized tunnels made of dirt and termite saliva. Termites use them to travel safely from the soil to your home’s wood. If you see mud tubes along your foundation or walls, it’s a strong sign of an active infestation.
6. Can neighboring homes affect my termite risk?
Absolutely. If your neighbor has an untreated termite problem, the colony can spread underground and reach your property. In areas like Phoenix, Mesa, and Chandler, where homes are often close together, termites can travel between properties easily.
7. How do I know if termites have already spread to my house?
Signs include mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood, swarmers or discarded wings, tight-fitting doors or windows, and termite droppings (frass). If you notice any of these, you should schedule an inspection immediately.
8. How fast can subterranean termites cause damage?
A large colony can eat a foot of 2×4 wood within a few months. If left undetected, they can cause structural damage in under a year—which is why early detection is key.
9. Is DIY prevention enough to stop them from spreading?
While sealing cracks and reducing moisture helps, DIY efforts usually aren’t enough to stop a colony. Professional termite treatment provides a full barrier and long-term protection, especially important in Maricopa County’s high-risk zones.
10. What’s the best way to stop termites from spreading to my home?
Schedule annual inspections, eliminate moisture sources, maintain proper soil grading, avoid wood-to-soil contact, and consider a professional perimeter treatment. A local pest control company can provide a custom plan based on your home’s construction and location.
