Western (Incisitermes minor)
Southeastern (Incisitermes snyderi)
What to look for:
Larger than subterranean termites, up to one-half
inch long; no worker caste in the colony.
Habits:
Create colonies in wood, with no connection to
the ground necessary; often found in attic wood;
need very little moisture.
Diet:
Wood and occasionally other cellulose material.
Reproduction:
Nymphs pass through seven installs before reaching
adulthood; sexual forms eventually swarm to form
new colony.
Other Information:
Cause serious damage to structures, often long
before they are discovered; piles of sawdust-like
pellets are a distinct sign of infestation; not
as widespread as subterranean termite; colonies
may contain up to 2,700 members.
Drywood termites are found primarily in the southern
United States including the Southwest. They are
found occasionally in northern states in items
such as relocated wood furniture.
Drywood termites are a non-subterranean species,
i.e., they neither live in the ground nor maintain
contact with the soil, and they do not build mud
tubes. They may enter through vents or cracks
in walls, or often they were in the lumber when
it was built into the structure. Infestations
of dry-wood termite are much more difficult to
detect, but one sign of their activity is the
presence of pieces of hard dry sawdust-like material.
Dry-wood termites produce this material which,
under close inspection, is made up of salt grain-sized
pellets with indentations like dry corn kernels.
If wood is accessible, tap to check for the the
hollow sounds made by the termite tunnels in the
wood. Drywood termites feed across the grain of
the wood, creating galleries that are very clean
and appear to be sanded smooth. Depending on the
species, swarming occurs anytime from spring through
autumn. Most species swarm at night and are attracted
to light.
To prevent Dry-wood termites, keep all vents
and openings covered with screens, and seal all
cracks. Dry-wood infestations are generally
controlled by spot treatment of infested areas,
by removal of infested wood and replacement with
new wood, or by tent fumigation of entire house.
A professional pest control operator may be needed
to inspect for, and control, dry-wood termites. |
