|
Drywood Termites live in dry, sound wood and derive their moisture requirements from the wood they consume. They construct large, irregular galleries that run across and with the wood grain, with a very smooth, clean and sand-paper-like appearance. The galleries are connected by small openings large enough for a single termite to pass through. Each year termites damage approximately 2 million homes in the United States.
As social insects, Drywood Termites live in colonies consisting of male and female swarmers, soldiers, and workers. The male and female swarmers are responsible for reproduction and they will leave the existing colony to start new ones. Once the swarmers find a small hole in wood, they will break off their wings, seal the hole and start to mate.
 The majority of the offspring comprise the worker (nymph) caste and are responsible for tending the young, and searching for food (meaning the wood in your home). Some offspring become soldiers, which protect the colony from other insects. Other offspring will mature into reproductive adults and will eventually form new colonies of their own. It is possible to have more than one colony in your home.
You can detect Drywood Termite infestations in various ways. One of the most common ways to detect Drywood termites is the pellets of partly digested wood found beneath an infested area. The pellets are cream to reddish-brown or black in color and are usually about 1-2 mm long. The termites eject these pellets from the galleries via ‘kickout’ holes, often found right below the damaged wood. Surface blisters and hollow sounding wood are signs of advanced infestation.
Drywood termites usually swarm in early spring and as they are attracted to light, will be most noticeable at night. Wings broken off after swarming may be found on windowsills Swarming indicates an advanced infestation in the home and increases the possibility of multiple colonies within the structure.
Drywood Termite Treatments
|
