Found a bunch of these digging in the flower bed in front of my house. The ground is hard packed but I have holes I've dug over the years and filled with garden soil for flowers. One of the holes was full of these (and old mulch). Are these termites? If so, should soak this colony today with pesticide and have a termite company out tomorrow? No evidence of them in or on the house.

Yes termites.

Probably from the mulch. You can fill up the mulch see how many more you have, throw something at em if you want but they are pretty common when wood sits on the ground a while.

Thanks. This is in Northern VA, by the way. I just talked to a local pest control guy and he said subterranean termites are very common here and active bait stations are the primary treatment. He quoted me $1500 to put down bait stations and monitor, then $500/yr after that.

Sounds high, should I just order Trelona ATBS stations and put them in myself? Looks like that would cost me about $500. I'm short on time for the next two weeks but think I could squeeze this in before travel. Thoughts?

The pest control guy said since they're subterranean there isn't much point to an inspection. He said he wouldn't see anything without opening up walls anyway.

Bait stations are overrated and expensive. Buy some taurus sc and use. This has Fipronil and is great for all pests. Also, I keep a jug of the BioAdvanced termite granules and sprinkle out next to the house as a preventative.

Do you have a basement? I'd be doing the pestcontrol myself with spray. I never seen termite bait stations, but doesn't mean they don't work.

Yes we have a basement. The pest control guy said they don't do liquid control for subt termites because it takes 100-200 gals of treatment due to the basements. Not sure if I buy that.

Termites are everywhere and pest control companies use that to their advantage. Continue normal pest control and watch for termite entry signs like mud trails leading up the foundation into your home.

I'm not a pest control guy but I think they normally do a direct application to potential exposure points, plumbing etc that goes into the ground and then into the house. That shouldn't be hundreds of gallons. That sounds like a serious waste by people who aren't actually trying to treat the problem.

Spray with Fipronil your mulch bed. Also, you can trench and pour the Taurus SC around the perimeter of the house or areas you feel needed. And, yes look for entry signs like mud tunnels. This time of year they are swarming and that's when the are seen the most.

I had them in my garage wall 2 yrs ago and have not been back. I ordered the Taurus SC online from domyown.com.