Infest wood during swarming but may also be transported by human activity like moving furniture. Swarming takes place at night, peaking between 8 and 10 PM. Attracted to light. Lives in wood with a very low moisture content. They do not live in the ground nor do they require ground contact.

Size ranges from 11 to 12 mm long including wings. Pale yellowish brown to pale reddish brown in color.

Primarily eat spring wood. Will swarm in the spring typically in morning of the day following a warm rain. May be followed by one or more smaller swarms until winter. Usually located in the ground but will live above ground if constant source of moisture is present.

About 10 mm long. Dark brown to black in color. Wings are translucent to slightly smoky.

Vigorous, aggressive species. Known to cause severe damage to structures. Swarming generally occurs late spring/summer following rain. Typically live in the ground in mud tubes in large numbers.

Size ranges from 12 to 13 mm long. Color is pale yellow to brownish yellow. Translucent wings.
Covered with hair.

Structure: Statue of Liberty
City/State: New York, NY

Termite Problem: Subterranean termites were thought to be introduced to Liberty Island during the 1986 renovation program for the Stature of Liberty. First detected in 1994, their termite infestation worsened every year. Termite swarms became an annual springtime occurrence, and were such a nuisance this year the museum inside the Statue had to be temporarily closed. Termites damaged wooden display cases in the museum, threatening the historic documents and artifacts housed inside. Though these valuable relics were not damaged, immediate action was needed.

Solution: The National Park Service chose to install the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System at Lady Liberty, to eradicate the attacking termite colonies permanently. They selected Sentricon because it eliminated the need to drill through the floors and walls of the structure. Recruit AG bait devices were affixed to active areas inside the Statue of Liberty to protect the contents of the damaged display cases, in conjunction with in-ground Sentricon stations.

Outlook: For the first time in three years, the Statue of Liberty did not experience a spring termite swarm. The Sentricon System eliminated multiple termite colonies in July of 1997, thirteen months after installation of the system.

Structure: The White House
City/State: Washington, D.C.

Termite Problem: Subterranean termites were discovered in the west wing of the White House in February 1998, when termites swarmed just 30 feet from the Oval Office. The termites entered the White House through a small crack in the foundation and through an area with damaged wood. Though no major structural damage was found, damage was discovered under a window and in the baseboard where the termites had swarmed. Immediate action was needed to protect the structure from future termite damage.

Solution: A local Authorized Operator installed the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System at the White House to eliminate swarming termites and permanently protect the structure. The Sentricon System was installed in April 1998 with in-ground stations strategically placed around the entire perimeter of the structure. A Recruit AG bait device, the aboveground component of the Sentricon System, is also being used in the area inside the White House where the termite swarm was discovered.

Outlook: Termites actively fed on the Recruit AG bait device inside the White House where the damage was found, and on Recruit II termite bait in the in-ground Sentricon stations in the front, back and side of the White House. Sentricon stations will continue to be monitored to protect the White House from termites.