Drywood Termites in Southern California

How Do You Know If You Have Drywood Termites?

As a rule, drywood termite damage progresses at a relatively slow pace. However, since they are difficult to detect, substantial damage can already be present by the time you notice their presence. That's why it's crucial you watch for any potential signs of these pests.

Signs of a drywood termite infestation:

• Droppings (Frass): Look for small, dry, hard pellets that resemble coffee grounds. You'll find them accumulating in piles on surfaces like windowsills, floors, or beneath infested furniture or lamps. 
• Shed Wings: Finding discarded wings on windowsills, floors, or caught in cobwebs is a strong indicator of a recent termite swarm. 
• Kick-Out Holes: These are small openings on the surface of wood. Drywood termites create these holes to push their frass pellets out of their nest.
• Damaged or Hollow-Sounding Wood: Wood infested by drywood termites may sound dull, papery, or hollow when tapped. You might also see wood that appears "papery" or thin as termites have eaten the material just beneath the surface. If you break open infested wood, you'll see smooth-walled galleries, often containing frass.
• Clicking or Rustling Sounds: In quiet conditions, you might hear soft clicking or rustling sounds coming from within infested walls, furniture, or wooden beams. 
• Visible Swarmers: Seeing live, winged termites swarming indoors, especially near light sources, is a definitive sign of an active infestation.

When to Call a Professional for Drywood Termites

If you are uncertain if you are dealing with an infestation and in need of an inspection, it's best to contact Kilter Termite and Pest Control. Some signs that you may need service include the aforementioned signs, however, keep in mind these important details when deciding if you need to seek professional assistance for drywood termites.

• Observe the damage: Although drywood termites seem to damage your home more slowly than the subterranean variety, they can spread through the home faster and damage more parts of the house, including wooden furnishings.
• Look for the signs: Drywood termites leave little pin-sized holes in your wood where they enter and exit. The more visible holes there are, the more invisible damage is inside the wood of your home.
• Do not procrastinate: Although the damage may seem to be progressing slowly, the infestation is constantly getting ready for its next swarm, which can spread the infestation dramatically.

Understanding Drywood Termite Colonies

Drywood termites dig their nests and colonies directly inside the wood. Once the nest is created, they seal the entrance and remain inside. 

• The colonies are actually the offspring of the initial male-female pair
• When the termite pair excavates a chamber in the wood, the queen lays the first eggs
• The nymphs, which hatch from these eggs, are the laborers of the colony
• The colony also includes soldiers and reproductive forms, which develop from the nymphs
• The members of the collective that leave the nest to start new colonies are called swarmers. 

Where Do Drywood Termites Live?

As their name suggests, drywood termites form their colonies in solid, dry wood. Unlike the subterranean type, they don’t require contact with the soil moisture to thrive. Instead, they extract the moisture they need from the wood they consume.

Drywood termites are commonly found in:

• Dead trees, branches, and firewood: These are natural habitats where drywood termites can thrive.
• Wooden structures: Once houses and other buildings are constructed, they can also become infested with drywood termites.
• Residential areas: Drywood termites often infest wooden furniture, structural timber, trim molding, siding, decks, as well as wooden beams and flooring within homes

How Do Drywood Termites Get Into a House?

Drywood termites can find their way into SoCal homes and businesses through various entry points, often going unnoticed until significant damage occurs.

Common ways drywood termites gain access to homes:

• Through the vents in the attic, wood shingles, under eaves, and capping boards
• Through natural cracks in exposed decorative wooden structures, as well as window frames, door frames, and sills
• Through exposed wood or infested wooden furniture brought indoors

Call (866) 827-1727 to learn more about about our drywood termite control services in Southern California.