What Do Termites Look Like?
Termites have soft bodies, pinchers, and straight antennae. They are white to light brown in color and typically measure between 1/4 and 1/3 of an inch long. These social wood-destroying insects prefer warmer climates and are not very common here in Wisconsin. The only native species is the eastern subterranean termite. Reproductive termites, also known as swarmers or alates, have two pairs of smokey-gray wings and are responsible for creating new colonies.
What are the Signs of a Termite Infestation?
Termites are drawn to the wood in your home because it contains cellulose, their primary food source. Termites also require moisture to survive and tend to favor damp areas such as crawlspaces and the ground around your foundation. Spotting the early signs of a termite infestation can be tricky. Termites are silent destroyers that often go unnoticed until it is too late. The most common signs of termites:
- Buckling or blistered floorboards
- Overly squeaky floors and loosening tiles
- Hollow-sounding walls
- Rough, ragged tunnels in wood
- Mud tubes along baseboards or the foundation of your house
- Wood shavings or frass they produce from consuming wood
- Dead termites or discarded wings
- Swarming termites in late spring
Professional Termite Control in Milwaukee, WI
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control provides wood-destroying insect inspections for termites in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. Our certified pest control professionals will conduct a thorough inspection of all areas with exposed wood, and we will complete the NPMA-33 form. Please note that we do not offer termite extermination services. However, we do treat for carpenter ants, which are the most common wood-destroying insects in Wisconsin.
How to Prevent Termites?
The following prevention tips will help deter termites from your property.
- Eliminate sources of standing water and moisture
- Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and A/C units.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clean.
- Remove dead trees, limbs, and tree stumps from your yard.
- Trim shrubs and tree limbs away from the exterior of your home.
- Store your firewood away from the exterior of your house.
How Serious are Termites?
Termites can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare because they are among the most destructive pests to a home’s structure. A termite infestation and damage can be devastating to your home or property. These silent destroyers can cause severe damage to your home’s structural integrity if left untreated. Weakened foundations, beams, and other supports can cost thousands of dollars in repairs. It is estimated that termites cause over $5 billion in damage to homes in the United States each year.
Termite FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What does termite damage look like?
Termite damage has a distinct appearance, characterized by a ``waffled`` or layered look in damaged wood. Termites can cause damage to wooden walls, furniture, and trees on your property by hollowing them out and tunneling through, leaving behind holes and empty spaces.
Does home insurance cover termites?
No, termites are not typically covered by homeowner’s insurance. Pest control is your responsibility as a homeowner. Proper maintenance can prevent insect infestations.
Do termites have wings?
Alates, also known as swarmers, have wings and are responsible for creating new colonies. These reproductive termites have two pairs of smoky-gray wings. Swarming typically occurs during the day, especially in the spring. The termites leave their colony to mate and establish new colonies. Once the new colony is established, the termites shed their wings and become wingless.
What do termites eat?
Termites feed on dead plants and trees, getting nutrients from the organic fiber known as cellulose found in wood and plant matter. Each type of termite has its own dietary preferences. Subterranean termites prefer soft woods, while dampwood termites consume moist, decaying wood, and drywood termites require little moisture in the wood they eat.
What time of year are termites most active?
Termites can cause damage to your home year-round, but you may notice an increase in activity in the spring and summer months as the weather gets warmer and the swarming season begins.