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Western Drywood Termites
Western drywood termites are typically found in California, Arizona, Utah and Florida . Drywood termites live in dry wood and get the moisture they need from the wood they consume. They can infest buildings, eating structural timbers, pieces of furniture, flooring, doors, window trim, even wooden picture frames. They construct large, irregular tunnels that run across and along the wood grain, connected by openings small enough for one termite to pass through.
Detection
A sure sign of drywood termites is their fecal pellets, which escape from tunnels in the damaged wood. These pellets are quite distinctive: They are hard, elongated-ovals with rounded ends, and have six concave sides.
Drywood colonies usually are relatively small, with a few thousand members, versus as many as five million in subterranean colonies. However, one structure may host multiple drywood colonies. Approximately 400 global species of drywood termites are known.
Swarming
The western drywood termite swarm period may be midday on warm, sunny days and may occur from September-October. However, in Arizona, swarming may occur at night in July.
Termites are most visible to homeowners when they are swarming. Still, you could have an active termite infestation in your home and never see a swarm. Contact your pest professional to learn more about how to prevent termites from damaging your home.
Powderpost or "Furniture" Drywood Termites
Powderpost or "furniture" drywood termites are smaller than other drywood termites. They are most often found in Florida, southern Louisiana, Texas, Puerto Rico and Hawaii . These hungry pests can feed in furniture or movable wooden objects and can reduce wood to a fine powder.
Powderpost drywood termites live in dry wood and get the moisture they need from the wood they consume. They construct large, irregular tunnels that run across and with the wood grain, connected by openings small enough for one termite to pass through. Their tunnels are clean and smooth, unlike subterranean termites, which leave a path of mud packing.
Detection
A sure sign of powderpost drywood termites is their fecal pellets, which escape from tunnels in the damaged wood. These pellets are quite distinctive: they are hard, elongated-ovals with rounded ends, and have six concave sides.
Powderpost drywood colonies usually are relatively small, with a few thousand members, versus as many as five million in subterranean colonies. However, one structure may host multiple drywood colonies. Approximately 400 global species of drywood termites are known.
Swarming
Powderpost drywood termites are most visible to homeowners when they are swarming. Still, you could have an active termite infestation in your home and never see a swarm. Contact your pest professional to learn more about how to prevent termites from damaging your home.
Southeastern Drywood Termites
Southeastern drywood termites are often found in the extreme southeastern states – South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
Southeastern drywood termites live in dry wood and get the moisture they need from the wood they consume. They can infest buildings, eating structural timbers, pieces of furniture, flooring, doors, window trim, even wooden picture frames. They construct large, irregular tunnels that run across and along the wood grain, connected by openings small enough for one termite to pass through. Their tunnels are clean and smooth, unlike subterranean termites, which leave a path of mud packing.
Detection
A sure sign of southeastern drywood termites is their fecal pellets, which escape from tunnels in the damaged wood. These pellets are quite distinctive: They are hard, elongated-ovals with rounded ends, and have six concave sides.
Southeastern drywood termite colonies usually are relatively small, with a few thousand members, versus as many as five million in subterranean colonies. However, one structure may host multiple drywood colonies. Approximately 400 global species of drywood termites are known.
Swarming
Southeastern drywood termites swarm from late May to mid-June. This termite swarms at night, peaking between 8 and 10 o'clock. Interior swarms will many times be found near windows and doors because the flying insects are attracted to lighted areas. Swarming inside a home almost always means the structure is infested and a pest professional should be contacted for an inspection.
Even if you never see a swarm, be aware that you could still have an active termite infestation in your home, especially if you live in a termite prone region. Contact your pest professional to learn more about how to prevent termites from damaging your home.
Desert Drywood Termite
(Arizona and California)
Desert drywood termites live in dry wood and get the moisture they need from the wood they consume. They can infest buildings, eating structural timbers, pieces of furniture, flooring, doors, window trim, even wooden picture frames. They construct large, irregular tunnels that run across and along the wood grain, connected by openings small enough for one termite to pass through.
Detection
A sure sign of desert drywood termites is their fecal pellets, which are ejected from the tunnels in the damaged wood. These pellets are quite distinctive: They are hard, elongated-ovals with rounded ends, and have six concave sides.
Desert drywood termites live in more arid places often found in Arizona and California. Desert drywood colonies usually are relatively small, with a few thousand members, versus as many as five million in subterranean colonies. However, one structure may host multiple desert drywood colonies. Approximately 400 global species of drywood termites are known.
Swarming
Desert drywood termites swarm from May to early September, at dusk or during the night, usually after it rains. Interior swarms will many times be found near windows and doors, because they are attracted to lighted areas. Swarming inside a home almost always means the structure is infested and a pest professional should be contacted for an inspection.
Termites are most visible to homeowners when they are swarming. Still, you could have an active termite infestation in your home and never see a swarm. Contact your pest professional to learn more about how to preven termites from damaging your home.
Eastern Subterranean Termites
The Eastern subterranean termite is the most common and widely distributed termite in North America. It is a problem for homeowners from southern Ontario in Canada, throughout the Eastern United States and as far west as Montana.
This native pest feeds on cellulose materials, including structural wood, wood fixtures, paper, books and cotton. Occasionally, it will even attack the roots of shrubs and trees. A mature colony of Eastern subterranean termites can range from 20,000 to five million workers.
Detection
Multiple colonies may also be located on a single property. Common signs of Eastern subterranean termites include dirt-like shelter tubes they build to serve as protected paths from the soil to the wood. They are also visible when they swarm, leaving the colony to search out mates and create new nests.
Here are a few important facts about the behavior of Eastern subterranean termite:
- Under ideal conditions, a termite colony of 60,000 workers may consume one foot-length of 2x4 inch pine in 118 to 157 days.1 This means you do not need to make hasty decisions about termite control, but termites will continue to eat away at your home if you do not get rid of them.
- Colony growth is slow, and it may take four to 10 years before reproductive swarmers are produced.
- Eastern subterranean termites can enter buildings through cracks less than 1/16" wide.
- Although colonies are largely located underground, secondary colonies can exist above ground if there is a constant source of moisture, such as a roof or plumbing leak.
Swarming
Eastern subterranean termites often swarm in the spring, but smaller swarms may happen throughout the summer and into the fall. Swarming may occur in the morning to early afternoon on a warm, humid day, especially after a rain, and may be extensive in a neighborhood. Interior swarms will many times be found near windows and doors, as the flying reproductive termites are attracted to lighted areas. Swarming inside a home almost always means the structure is infested and a pest professional should be contacted for an inspection.
Termites are most visible to homeowners when they're swarming. Still, termites can damage unprotected structures all year long. In fact, you could have an active termite infestation in your home and never see a swarm. Contact your pest professional to learn more about how to prevent termites from damaging your home.
Western Subterranean Termites
The Western subterranean termite is the most common and most widely distributed termite in the western half of North America, infesting homes from British Columbia in Canada to western Mexico and as far east as Idaho and Nevada.
Detection
This native pest can enter structures through cracks less than 1/16" wide, including the minute openings found in concrete slabs, around drain pipes, and between the slab and a home's foundation. They are typically detected by the “shelter tubes” they construct as they forage, or by the large number of wings they leave behind when they swarm, as they leave the colony to search out mates and create new nests.
Here are a few important facts you should understand about the behavior of Western subterranean termites:
- Although colonies usually lie underground, secondary colonies can live above ground if a constant source of moisture, such as a roof or plumbing leak, is available.
- Damage caused by Western subterranean termites is most commonly found in the basement and at ground level, although the termites will attack wood at higher levels.
- Populations are higher in urban centers than in undeveloped areas.
- These termites prefer soil temperatures between 84-90° F – never above 104° F.
Swarming
Western subterranean swarmers usually emerge four or more years after a colony is first established. Swarming can occur in the spring, but other, smaller swarms may occur throughout the summer and fall. Swarms may occur in the daytime, and in California they may occur on warm, sunny days during the fall, winter or early spring. In the northern sections of the termites' range, spring swarms may occur.
Termites are most visible to homeowners when they're swarming. Still, without protection termites can damage structures throughout the year. In fact, you could have an active termite infestation in your home and never see a swarm. Contact your pest professional to learn more about how to prevent and/or stop termites from damaging your home.
Arid-Land Subterranean Termites
The arid-land subterranean termite is commonly found from the Pacific Ocean coastline to the central Untied States. It is also found from Montana and Washington into southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mississippi.
Detection
The arid-land subterranean termite can be found in habitats at sea level (sand dunes, etc.) and in areas at altitudes above 7,000 feet in mountain states. These termites can also be found in river-based lowlands, along streams, in canyons and can be widespread in prairies and desert areas.
The arid-land subterranean termite can cause structural damage in cities of higher elevation such as Santa Fe and Albuquerque, N.M. They can also attack native shrubs and bushes as well as timber, fences and wood structures.
Swarming
Arid-land subterranean termites may swarm at different times of the year based upon the elevation. Colonies located below 4,000 feet (southern states) may swarm between January and March. However, above 4,000 feet, the termites may swarm in June or July. Swarms have been seen in the area of northern New Mexico in February. Winged swarmers are about 1/3” long. The wings are an off-white color with brown veins in the front area. The swarmer insects are black to dark brown in color.
Desert Subterranean Termites
Desert subterranean termites live in dry or even arid areas of the country. In fact, desert subterranean termites are commonly distributed throughout the lower deserts of northwestern Mexico, southern California and southern Arizona.
Detection
These termites will openly build very narrow, free-hanging tubes from ceilings, shelves and overhangs. Don't be surprised if you see tubes as long as six to 12 inches in length. But the size of foraging tubes does not necessarily equate to the extent of damage.
Swarming
Desert subterranean termites may swarm at night during the rainy season, from July to September, usually after rainfalls.
Termites are most visible to homeowners when they're swarming. Still, without proper defense, termites can damage a home 365 days of the year. In fact, you could have an active termite infestation in your home and never see a swarm. Contact your pest professional to learn more about how to prevent and/or stop termites from damaging your home.
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Formosan Subterranean Termites
