How Drywood Termites Differ from Other Species
Drywood termites can cause extensive damage to your home’s structural integrity, weakening your home from the inside out. This species is typically found in warmer or tropical climates where winters are not severe, and wood is plentiful. They generally are larger than other common species, measuring at 3/8″ to 1″ long. Drywood termite colonies can grow up to 2,500-3,000 members, which translates to quickly and easily destroying whatever wood source they decide to invade.
Protecting your home from invasive, destructive species requires an awareness of what to look for and knowledge of the warning signs of infestation. Knowing the facts and signs of drywood termites helps you guard against structural loss and extensive repairs. Contact our team of Santa Clarita termite specialists if you think you have a termite issue in your home or business. We can help you eradicate the problem and guard against their damage to your structure.
Contact the Santa Clarita termite specialists at No Bugs Termite and Pest Control today to discuss how we can help.
4 Indications That You Have Drywood Termites
There are four main signs of termite infestation with drywood termite species. Watch for these signs and protect your home against costly repairs and structural reconstruction.
- Damages: Visible wood or exterior damages are a sure sign that something is amiss. Blistering paint can indicate termite damages as well as tunnels and deterioration of wood on your home’s exterior or structure. Hollow sounds when tapping on the wood also suggest termite damages.
- Frass: Frass is the name for the drywood termite waste and may be found along window sills, floorboards, and doorways. Frass looks like small sawdust pellets, as it is the dry waste left behind as the termites clear their path while eating.
- Swarming: Swarms develop after approximately four years as a colony, typically flying in late Summer or Autumn, ranging from 10-100 termites. Once a swarm has flown and finds a new place to build a colony, you may discover discarded wings that break off after a pair finds their mate and burrows into the colony’s new home. Wings may appear on windowsills or along the termite’s path.
- Sounds: A soft clicking sound within the walls of your home or structure may be coming from soldier termites as they notify others of potential danger. These bugs are also noisy eaters, so you may hear their chewing as they destroy your property. (Fun fact: The sounds in your home may also influence the termites! One study proved that termites move faster when exposed to rock music!)
Seeing other signs or not sure if you have drywood termites? Check out “How Can I Tell if I Have Termites?”
How Termite Colonies Function
Drywood termites are unique in that there are no designated adult worker termites. The worker caste of their system is comprised of the younger, immature termites. As the queen and her mate reproduce, their young are the workers until they reach maturity, at which point they become soldiers or reproducers. Soldiers protect the colony from predatory insects, and reproducers leave the colony to mate and establish new colonies in new locations.
This is just one more reason to pay close attention to your home and check for infestation. As these colonies grow and find new homes, their destruction expands!
No Bugs Termite Experts Are Here to Help!
Don’t let termites destroy your home’s structural integrity. Watch for signs of termites, check new properties for their telltale signs, and reach out for help if you think you spot an issue. It pays to call in the experts at No Bugs Termite and Pest Control to take care of your termite problems before it is too late.
