Termites are wood destroying insects always present in the nature with an important wood decomposition function. In Europe, they are mainly located in the Mediterranean area. In Spain, termites are an important problem in urban areas. It is estimated about 80% of old historic towns in Spain are affected by subterranean termite attacks and it is the most important damage in wood structures and wood elements. The activity of termites can cause serious damages in structural elements (beams, slabs, roofs, etc.), carpentries (frame doors, doors, frame windows, windows, etc) and other wood elements (altarpieces, furniture, stairs, handrails, etc.) even with risk of collapse in some cases. In the buildings of urban areas (mainly old towns), subterranean termites have the best conditions (temperature and humidity) to attack structures and other wood elements in the buildings. It is necessary to find solutions about the problem of subterranean termites in urban areas in Spain, promoting laws and standards with the collaboration among authorities, universities, research institutions, technicians and experts in termites. As a result of this situation, a new Spanish standard UNE 56418:2016 "Protocol of action in urban areas affected by the attack of subterranean termites” has been developed and published. This paper shows a real case of subterranean termites control management in urban areas in Spain, showing the example of application of this standard in the management of the old town of Vigo, where there are several problems and attacks of subterranean termites in the buildings. As a result of this situation, local authorities have decided to apply the standard and the result after five years of control management has been very satisfactory.

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