Common Name: Eastern Subterranean Termite
Scientific Name: Reticulitermes flavipes
General Appearance: Workers are about 1/8"-3/8" long and they are a creamy translucent color and do not have wings.
The soldiers have an brown colored head with large mandibles (jaws), and no wings.
The "alates" or swarmers (reproducers) are about 3/8" long, can be winged or wingless and dark brown to black in color.
Subterranean termites build distinctive tunnels, also known as "mud tubes" from the ground to the wood they infest. Termites use their scissor-like jaws to eat wood from the inside out. Subterranean termites also feed on books, paper products, and other products containing cellulose.
In Wisconsin the eastern subterranean termite swarms during the daylight in spring when groups of reproductive termites will go off to start new colonies.
Warning signs of a termite problem include the presence of winged swarmers and seeing their discarded wings, mud tubes near your home's foundation and evidence of damaged wood.
Avoid water accumulation near the foundation of your home. Divert water away from your home using properly functioning downspouts and gutters.
Keep all wood debris away from your home and property.
Eliminate wood contact with the soil. Maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of your home.
Repair cracks and gaps in the foundation of the building.