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Pest Library · Wood-destroying insectsEastern Subterranean Termites Identification Guide
How to identify eastern subterranean termites, established in parts of Toronto and southern Ontario.
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How to identify
What termites look like
Worker termites are small, soft and creamy white, often mistaken for white ants. Swarmers are dark with long wings of equal length, unlike ants.
They live in the soil and travel into wood through pencil-width mud tubes.
Signs you have termites
- Mud tubes on foundation walls, joists or sill plates
- Winged swarmers indoors in spring, often near basement windows
- Discarded wings on window sills
- Wood that sounds hollow or crumbles
Are they dangerous?
Termites feed on wood from the inside and can cause serious structural damage over years before anyone notices.
How to prevent them
- Keep wood from touching soil
- Fix moisture problems and grading around foundations
- Get an inspection before buying an older Toronto home
Quick facts
Scientific nameReticulitermes flavipes
Size3–10 mm
ColourCreamy white workers, dark swarmers
Most activeSwarm in spring
Found inSoil, foundations, wood near ground
Risk levelHigh (structural damage)
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