Termites feed on cellulose, the main component of wood, and can cause significant structural damage to homes. Although often associated with warmer, southern states, termites are present in Wisconsin. Understanding the specific species and signs of their activity is the first step in protecting a home from these pests.
The Subterranean Species in Wisconsin
The primary species in Wisconsin is the Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes), found mainly in the southern half of the state. Subterranean termites live in underground colonies and require contact with soil to maintain high moisture levels. They build distinctive mud tubes to travel from their nest to a wood source, protecting them from dry air and light.
Termite activity in Wisconsin is less intense than in regions with milder winters, as the state represents the northern boundary of the species’ distribution. Cold winter temperatures and deep soil frost lines act as a natural limiting factor, making it difficult for colonies to establish and survive. Surviving colonies often rely on deep, insulated soil or areas near heated structures to avoid prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.
Recognizing the Signs of Damage
Termites consume wood from the inside out, making early detection a challenge. A telling sign of their presence is the construction of mud tubes, which are pencil-sized tunnels made of soil and saliva. These protected tubes run along foundations, walls, or floor joists, allowing worker termites to access the wood structure.
Another indication of an infestation is wood that sounds hollow when tapped, signaling that the internal structure has been consumed. Termites create tunnels and galleries parallel to the wood grain, often leaving only a thin outer layer intact. Homeowners may also find evidence of a swarming event, which is the emergence of winged reproductive termites, or “swarmers,” typically in the spring. Piles of discarded, equal-sized wings near windowsills or doors often remain after swarmers shed them to start new colonies.
Differentiating Termites from Carpenter Ants
Distinguishing Eastern Subterranean Termites from the more common Carpenter Ant is important, as both pests target wood but cause different damage. Carpenter ants tunnel through wood to create smooth, clean galleries for nesting, pushing wood shavings, or frass, out through kick-out holes. Termites, conversely, consume the wood for sustenance, and their internal tunnels are messy, containing mud and waste.
Physical characteristics provide a clear distinction, especially in their winged forms. Termite swarmers have a broad waist and straight antennae. Carpenter ants have a noticeably pinched waist and elbowed antennae. Furthermore, a termite’s four wings are all the same size, while a carpenter ant’s front wings are significantly longer than its hind wings.
Protecting Your Home
Preventing a termite infestation centers on controlling the two things subterranean species need: wood and moisture. Eliminate any wood-to-soil contact, which provides termites with a direct entry into the structure. This includes ensuring wood siding is at least six inches above the ground and storing firewood on a raised rack away from the foundation.
Managing moisture is equally important, as damp conditions near the foundation attract these insects. Homeowners should ensure that gutters and downspouts divert water at least ten feet away from the structure. Other effective measures include promptly repairing leaky pipes, ensuring the soil slopes away from the house (proper grading), and keeping crawl spaces dry with ventilation or vapor barriers. If an infestation is suspected, consulting a pest control professional is the most reliable course of action, as termite control is rarely a successful do-it-yourself endeavor.