EEVISION OF NE ARCTIC TERMITES. 95 



is the cause of a serious annual loss. The genus wliich causes the 

 most damage is Reticulitermes. Some damage is caused by Kdlo- 

 termes and Cryptotermes. 



Termites bore through books, paper, clothing, shoes (pi. 13), food, 

 and substances stored in dark and damp places. Important docu- 

 ments stored in departmental buildings at Washington, District of 

 Columbia, are sometimes found to be damaged or destroyed by 

 termites. The Division of Forest Entomology of the Bureau of 

 Entomology, United States Department of Agriculture, during the 

 fiscal year 1916, received 37 requests for information about these 

 insects and advice as to the methods of getting rid of or preventing 

 termites from infesting the woodwork of buildings in the United 

 States. Fifteen cases of such damage by various species of Retic- 

 ulitermes occurred in the city of Wasliington. During the fiscal year 

 1917, 47 requests for similar information were received; 9 were in the 

 city of Wasliington; during the fiscal year 1918, 39 requests were 

 received, 13 cases being in Wasliington. During the fiscal year 1919 

 there were 42 reports of termite damage to buildings; 12 were in 

 Washington.^ 



Often it has been found necessary to advise reconstruction of the 

 foundation and flooring of buildings, involving expenditures of from 

 $50 to S3, 000. 



In the eastern United States such damage has occurred as far 

 north as Boston, Massachusetts, Manchester, New Hampsliire, and 

 Benton Harbor and Grand Rapids, Michigan; on the Pacific coast, 

 at Portland, Oregon. Termite damage to the woodwork of buildings 

 is naturally more common and serious in the Southern States. 



In several instances the damage by Reticulitermes was done to 

 large buildings, as in the old building of the Bureau of Engraving 

 and Printing in Washington; a hospital in Jersey City, New Jersey; a 

 railroad station in Baltimore, Maryland; churches in the city of 

 Washington, and several large and expensive residences in the cities 

 of Washington, Baltimore, New Orleans, St. Louis, and elsewhere. 



An unusual case of damage by termites (Reticulitermes) was re- 

 ported in May, 1918. In a cold-storage plant, at Portsmouth, Virginia, 

 these insects caused considerable damage; the isolation was of saw- 

 dust and wood. 



Untreated wall board, made from wood pulp, used for interior 

 finish and as substitutes for lath, etc., is damaged by termites in 

 the Southern States. Damage to telephone and telegraph poles, 



» This enumeration of the number of eases of damage by termites to the woodwork of buildings annually 

 reported to the U. S. Bureau of Entomology does not, of course, represent the total number. When the 

 public in general becomes educated and learns of the serious losses caused by these insects through our 

 publications and personal correspondence, doubtless there will be a gradual but temporary increase in the 

 number of reports of damage. However, liouseholders will soon insist that contractors construct buildings 

 properly so as to be "white ant" proof and there will be a rapid and permanent decrease. Termite damage 

 to buildings occurs from coast to coast, but is particularly serious in the Southeastern, Gulf, and South, 

 western States. 



