Drywood Termites
Drywood termite fecal pellets
Drywood termites can cause major damage to homes - more than other termites - because they literally live in wood. Other termites live in the soil and enter a home to feed on wood. Because drywood termites live in the wood itself, getting rid of them is extremely hard. Termite fumigation is used to get rid of multiple colonies of drywood termites. Drywood termites create small colonies which work slowly: much slower than subterranean termites. So if you suspect that you may have drywood termites, it's a good idea to have an inspection right away before the problem gets out of control. You will save yourself a lot of time and money by catching a drywood termite problem early.
Drywood termites are not common across the entire US. They are seen mostly in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii and California. There have also been occasions of drywood termites in other Southern states, such as Alabama. They are often found in the attics of homes or in dead trees, but they have also been known to eat furniture. They swarm the most around the spring and summer.
Evidence of drywood termites is usually their small, dry, hard, cylindrical fecal pellets that appear on surfaces below the wood they are infesting (Source: Buginfo.com). If you notice these pellets then you should call an exterminator to conduct a termite inspection in your home to determine the extent of the termite infestation and the best way to get rid of them. Other signs of drywood termite presence include: shed wings, ejected pellets and gallery (tunnel) damage inside wood. (Source: doyourownpestcontrol.com).
How to Get Rid of Drywood Termites:
- For larger infestations, fumigation is the only way to get rid of the entire problem.
- For minor drywood termite problems, consider spot treatments or direct wood treatments. Small holes are drilled into the wood and insecticide is then pushed through these holes to be dispersed through the galleries (tunnels). This is a very effective method if you know where the termites are living and are sure that they are limited to just a few areas.
- Be smart and hire an experienced and professional exterminator to get rid of these damage-causing and potentially dangerous pests.
