Drywood Termites

What do drywood termites look like?

Drywood termites range from about a quarter of an inch to an inch in length. They get larger as they age. Drywood termites have creamy white to light brown bodies that are oval-shaped, with six legs and a pair of straight antennae.

What’s the difference between drywood and Eastern subterranean termites?

There are several differences between drywood and Eastern subterranean termites. The first is the type of wood they prefer to infest. As their name implies, drywood termites prefer hard, dry wood. Eastern subterranean termites prefer soft, rotting, or water-damaged wood.

Drywood termites do not nest underground; instead, they build their colonies in the wood inside structures. They don’t need a lot of moisture to survive, and what they do need, they can extract from the wood. Eastern subterranean termites live in the soil. They’ll build tunnels in wood, but they still need to maintain contact with the soil to survive, mainly due to the moisture in the ground.

The size of the colonies between these two termite species varies greatly. Drywood termites have small colonies that only grow to about 2,500 members. Eastern subterranean termite colonies can house several hundred thousand members. Some have even been known to have over a million members. Eastern subterranean termites tend to cause more damage faster than drywood termites because there are so many more.

Are drywood termites dangerous?

Even though their colonies are smaller, drywood termites still pose a risk to houses due to the damage they cause. They will chew through any type of wood and other items that contain cellulose. If they get into walls, they can cause significant structural damage.

Do drywood termites cause property damage?

Drywood termites cause property damage by creating tunnels and nests in a house's wooden elements. When they build their tunnels in support beams and other structurally important parts, they can weaken these elements to the point of collapse.

Where do drywood termites nest?

Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites do not nest in the soil. Instead, they nest in homes and other structures where they can live directly in the wood they infest.

What attracts drywood termites to my home?

Drywood termites are attracted to untreated, hard, dry wood. They may be attracted to properties by wood piles, untreated wooden decks, or dead trees. Once on a property, they can enter the structure through cracks and crevices.

How can I tell if I have a drywood termite infestation?

A drywood termite infestation isn’t easy to identify because these pests rarely come out in the open. You must actively inspect for signs of drywood termites. Look for these signs of an infestation:

• Swarms of termites or their discarded wings near windows or other light sources
• Tiny holes in exposed wood
• Small piles of termite frass, which are droppings that look similar to wood shavings
• A hollow sound when you knock on wood

If you notice any of these signs, you should take action right away to eliminate the termite infestation before it causes more damage.

Can I get rid of drywood termites on my own?

Professional pest control is the best option for treating termites. Attempting to eliminate these wood-destroying insects on your own will be ineffective, costly, and frustrating.

What’s the best way to exterminate drywood termites?

Treatment for drywood termites is not the same for Eastern subterranean termites. If you have drywood termites, you need a pest control company that understands the difference and how to eliminate the problem. Anti-Pesto offers effective termite control services in the Tampa Bay metro area, including treatments for drywood termite infestations. Property owners can rely on our local pest control team to exterminate termites, no matter how severe the infestation!

How can I prevent a drywood termite infestation?

You can take steps to prevent drywood termites, but complete prevention can be challenging. Here are a few ways you can make your property less attractive to these insects: 

• Seal entry points
• Paint or seal exposed wood
• Avoid storing lumber or firewood near your home
• Remove dead trees