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Drywood Termites
live above ground in wood that is
not too hot or cold. Drywood
Termite swarmers can fly in and
start a colony in virtually any
piece of wood. It is common to find
Drywood Termites in attics, around
subarea vents, and anywhere on the
house exterior that allows the
termite swarmers to make direct
contact with wood. Drywood Termite
swarmer bodies are a rusty color.
One of the common symptoms of
drywood termite attack is the
accumulation of tiny, straw-colored
fecal pellets inside or beneath
infested furniture. These pellets
sift from small holes in the surface
of infested wood or are pushed out
through small round openings
maintained by the termites for this
purpose. The hard fecal pellets have
six distinct, concave surfaces.
Presence of pellets does not prove
damaged wood is currently infested,
as pellets continue to sift from
furniture for many years after
termites are controlled or die.
However, large, consistent
accumulations of pellets are a
convincing sign the termites are
still active. |
Subterranean Termites live in
underground colonies. These
colonies are built around a king and
queen, whose sole job is
reproduction
People are concerned--with good
reason--about the possibility of
damage and loss from fires, and from
severe weather. But statistics show
that there's far greater reason for
concern about damage caused by
subterranean termites.
Their soft bodies require high
humidity at all times to survive.
They build mud/shelter tubes to
maintain high humidity while they
feast on wood that is above ground.
Worker termites "commute" between
the colony and sources of food,
including wood fibers and other
forms of cellulose which they eat,
digest and share with other members
of their colony. They keep busy 24
hours every day. These workers
rarely break through the surface of
wood; instead they hollow it out
from inside. So the vast majority
of their work is invisible. Until
something gives way. |
