Win the Battle Against Drywood Termites
When most people think of termites, they are most likely thinking about subterranean termites; you know, the kind that live in the soil and travel back and forth from a nest to a wood source like your house to party. These termites deserve all the press they get since they’re responsible for most of the home damage that people experience or hear about by the pest-control paparazzi. But what about drywood termites? Those nasty little bugs that live inside of wood, hiding, eating away until they’ve ruined the lumber beams that support your house or your favorite antique armoire? They deserve some attention too, because despite their low profile, they can cause a lot of problems. If you suspect you might have drywood termites, call the termite control professionals at Apex Pest Control in Orlando, Tampa and Brevard County at 866-675-4070. We’ll send an expert over to determine the extent of the problem and wipe them out.
First of all, what does drywood termite damage look like? In the beginning, it won’t look like anything because they hide inside of the wood they’re eating, leaving very few clues. These termites are sneaky! They don’t need soil contact since the wood they eat provides the moisture they need to survive. As they feed, they form what are known as galleries, which are connected tunnels inside the wood. Left to their own devices long enough they’ll consume all of the wood in a piece of lumber or sheathing, right up to the wood’s surface. They also eat wood in a pattern either with or against the grain. Wood eaten against the grain is a sign of drywood termite tunneling and damage. Interestingly, the inside of a feeding tube generally looks like it has been smoothed with sandpaper.
One sign of drywood termites is frass—small, dry pellet feces the insects leave behind as they zip and dash while chowing down on your house. Most of the pellets wind up inside of the wood and get kicked out, creating a small pile next to the wood, which to the casual onlooker, resembles a tiny pile of sand. These kick-out holes aren’t always easy to see, however, since drywood termites plug-up exit holes with pieces of frass that they have cemented together. Plus, it’s only upon close inspection that their presence becomes evident because they don’t like to make a scene or be the center of attention.
Upon learning more about drywood termites, most people want to know what sorts of wood are at risk. Sadly, drywood termites can infest and damage even dry, sound wood, which often means roof sheathing, joists, rafters, steps, siding, trim, floors, decks, porches, door windows and frames, furniture, walls and interior wood trim.
If you suspect you might have termites inside a piece of wood, knock on it with your knuckles, and if it sounds hollow inside, chances are your suspicions will be confirmed. That would be the time to call the termite control experts at Apex Pest Control in Orlando, Tampa and Brevard County at 866-675-4070. We can inspect the evidence and let you know if you have a problem, how big it is, and just how much damage the termites have done—and get rid of them for you right away.
