Termites in Massachusetts

The most prominent termite in Massachusetts is the eastern subterranean termite. These termites will damage structural timbers in buildings – whether it’s a home or business. Termites feed upon old roots, tree stumps, fallen tree limbs and branches on the ground, and similar materials. They are beneficial when they aid in reduction of wood and similar cellulose products into compounds that can be used again by other living organisms. Occasionally termites attack living plants, including the roots of shrubs and trees. In buildings, they feed on cellulose materials, such as structural wood, wood fixtures, paper, books, cotton, and related products. Read more about the damage they can do even during the cold New England winters here.

When termite damage becomes evident, it’s usually the result of years of infestation. So, damage by termites is not a sudden onslaught that will cause a building to collapse in a few days. Generally, termite problems in Massachusetts only occur some years after construction. The risk of infestations can be reduced by avoiding certain faults or errors in construction, site grading and maintenance, or proactive baits that catch termites early – before they can do the damage.

Oriental cockroaches can be either shiny black or dark reddish-brown in color. They have a “greasy” sheen. As adults, the male and female cockroaches, though both large in size, are quite different in appearance. Growing to only 1 inch in length, the smaller males have shortened, three-quarter-length wings. Female Oriental cockroaches have no wings and grow to about 1 ¼ inch. Whether they have wings or not, neither can actually fly.