INSECTS: Have wings when swarming. Wings discarded after swarming. Eat wood but nest underground and often outside in the northeast. Can cause serious damage to wooden structures. The only significant species in our area is the eastern subterranean termite. Termites need professional treatment.
Sub Termite
Termites become a problem when they consume structural lumber. Each year thousands of housing units in the United States require treatment for the control of termites. Termites may also damage utility poles and other wooden structures. These pests cause serious damage to wooden structures and posts and may also attack stored food, books, and household furniture.
Signs of termite infestation include swarming of winged forms in fall and spring and evidence of tunneling in wood. Darkening or blistering of wooden structural members is another indication of an infestation; wood in damaged areas is typically thin and easily punctured with a knife or screwdriver.