‘‘ WHITE ANTS’’ AS PESTS IN THE UNITED STATES. 15 
entrance should be sought at once by careful examination of all wood- 
work in contact with the ground. The foundation timbers, such as 
beams and joists in contact with the ground, and other woodwork in 
the basement or cellar should be examined so that the point of 
entrance of the insects and the extent of the damage already accom- 
plished may be determined. It may be necessary to tear up the 
flooring and other woodwork to do this. The foundation timbers 
and interior woodwork found damaged should be removed, and the 
ground where they were set drenched with kerosene oil. 
The annual emergence of large numbers of the flying white ants 
is an indication that the woodwork is infested, and the point of 
emergence indicates the approximate location of the infested timbers. 
Even if the insects are not observed swarming, large numbers of the 
dead winged adults or the discarded wings usually will be found near 
by. Frass and earth thrown out of crevices through which the 
insects emerge are also evidences of their presence. Sometimes the 
insects plaster the surface of wood with earthwork which will disclose 
their presence. 
When efforts are made to stop further damage by termites in build- 
ings, it should be realized that their numbers may be constantly 
recruited from some undiscovered, outside, central colony. The de- 
struction of the winged colonizing adults at the time of emergence, 
while beneficial in preventing the establishment of potential new col- 
onies, will not eradicate the insects infesting the woodwork. 
Another warning of the presence of termite infestation is branch- 
ing shelter tubes of small diameter, constructed of earth mixed with 
finely comminuted wood, on foundation timbers or other woodwork 
(fig. 13), or over the surface of stone, brick, or other impenetrable 
foundation material (fig. 14) from the ground to the woodwork. 
Drenching the ground where these tubes originate with kerosene oil 
will afford relief. 
SUBSTITUTION OF STONE FOUNDATIONS AND TREATED TIMBER. 
It is very rarely possible to find and destroy the external colony. 
The main purpose therefore must be to prevent the insects from 
gaining further access to the woodwork from colonies in the ground. 
This may be accomplished by replacing untreated foundation tim- 
bers and other woodwork in the basement or cellar with stone or 
concrete, including stone columns or pillars to support the flooring 
above, concrete or tile flooring, and concrete walls and partitions in 
the basement or cellar. If it is not practicable to substitute stone 
foundations, foundation timbers in contact with the ground should 
be replaced with timbers impregnated with coal-tar creosote. 
Since the insects may have entered the building from their subter- 
ranean galleries by means of the supports of porchings and steps set 
