Summer is right around the corner. Perfect weather for pool parties, beach days, boat rides, lemonade stands, picnics, and… termites.
Not only are these creepy pests quite startling when they swarm, either inside or outside your house, but they can cause some serious property damage. Additionally, due to their hardy nature, drywood termites can be exceptionally damaging.
What Are Drywood Termites
Drywood termites live, nest, and feed in dry wood. They are different from subterranean termites based on the fact that they rarely come into contact with the soil at all. They are similar in size to those of ants and are long, narrow oval-shaped insects. The most commonly sighted form of the drywood termite is the flying adults, also referred to as “swarmers”. They colonize in attics where temperatures can reach up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Living their life within the wood, they eat against the grain of the wood and create connecting tunnels. This can jeopardize the structural integrity of the wood and result in expensive repairs.
How to Spot Them
Even if you aren’t greeted by a full swarm, there are still ways to spot drywood termites. Be sure to check areas around the house that the termites are most often spotted. These areas can include wood siding, wooden roof shingles, wood framing/support in attics, wood molding and frames, eaves, overhangs, protected joints, and wooden coverings around doors. Their presence may also be detected by piles of their fecal pellets they leave behind, which are comparable to the appearance of coffee grounds. A professional will most likely start by inspecting exposed wood for any signs of termite damage. A highly-trained eye can get a better idea of the amount of damage done and what the best course of action is.
What Kind of Damage Can They Do?
Drywood termites are responsible for over a billion dollars in property damage a year. Unlike hurricanes or fires, termite damage is rarely covered by homeowners insurance. Infestations of termite damage, if not caught in time, result in irreversible damage where the only solution is to replace the wood. By this point, if irreversible damage is done to any wood that is vital to the structural aspects of the house, then the house may be dangerous to live in. Drywood termite infestations can sneak up on homeowners and once they are in, it is hard to get them out without professional help.
Different Prevention and Treatment Options
Annual inspections are a great preventative measure to prevent a drywood termite infestation and any major damage to your home. After a colony gains entrance to a home, it can quickly spread throughout the many rooms and floors, quickly.
It’s important to cut off access and prevent termites from entering the house. Seal any gaps or cracks, crevices, and joints to prevent termites from entering the woods. Reduce any food sources for the termites in your house. This can include dead trees, firewood, and other wood food sources. Routine inspections are also crucial, however, if an infestation does occur, it is best to call in the experts to handle it before any serious damage is done to your home.
Get Help From the Experts
Who can you trust with the protection of your home? Drive-Bye Exterminators. The pros at Drive-Bye are happy to lend a helping hand. We have the tools and knowledge to protect your home against dangerous termites. Consider it another form of homeowner’s insurance. If you need any pest control assistance, contact Drive-Bye Exterminators by calling 727-787-2127 or booking an appointment.
Drive-Bye Exterminators offers home and commercial pest control services in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, Drive-Bye Exterminators have state-certified inspectors, and exterminators provide roach, subterranean termite, dry wood termite, roaches, spider, ant, and flea services to both commercial and residential clients. Whether a business owner needs help getting rid of a termite infestation, or a homeowner wants to rid their kitchen of ants, Drive-Bye Exterminators offers each client the same level of professionalism and excellence.
