Did you say Termites?!

Drywood Termites are larger than subterranean termites, up to one-half inch long. Drywood termites create colonies in wood and require very little moisture to survive. Unlike Subterranean Termites, they do not require any direct connection to soil. They eat all types of wood and occasionally other cellulose material like cardboard or books. Drywood Termite infestations can exist for long periods of time before being discovered, often eating wood away but leaving the paint in place. The most common evidence of Drywood termites is small piles of sawdust colored pellets that fall from kick-out holes made by the termites. Just one or two pellets is difficult to see, but over time an active colony will create thousands of these pellets making their presence more obvious.

Subterranean Termites are smaller than Drywood termites, approximately one-fourth inch long. They create colonies in the soil and require moisture to survive. Unlike Drywood Termites, they do require a direct connection to soil. They build tubes up the side of concrete foundations or straight out of the ground, making highway tunnels for traveling to their food source and back. They eat all types of wood and occasionally other cellulose material like cardboard or books. The most common evidence of Subterranean Termites is the presence of mud tunnels along the interior or exterior foundation of the house.

Termites feed on cellulose – an organic compound found in plant matter and wood – prevalent in the materials used to build homes. Termites eat continuously. The average subterranean colony can devour one foot of a 2x4 board in a matter of months, which compromises the integrity of the structure of your home. Because most termites are blind, they communicate with one another through pheromones. Each colony, and each caste within that colony, has a unique chemical scent. Termites will also notify others of a threat by beating their heads against the walls of the colony to create a vibration. This vibration signals the soldiers to come defend the nest against the invader.

No, termites do not bite, and they can’t harm us or our pets. In fact, most people rarely encounter termites. Termite swarms are really the only time when you’re likely to see them. Even then, they’re just frantically trying to find a way outside.

While termite swarms can be pretty unnerving when they’re happening, they only last about 30 minutes. Since termites don’t fly very well, many won’t make it to a new nest. If they enter your house first, all bets are off, and most won’t survive. All you have to do is wait it out, and the majority of the termites will die all on their own without any intervention on your part. If they are coming out of the wood, you can tape over the hole they are swarming from to keep them inside until the area can be treated.

Termites have a straight antennae, two pairs of wings of the same size and shape, and a broad waist. Flying ants have elbowed antennaes, two pairs of wings with rear wings smaller than front wings, and a narrow or pinched waist.

Drywood termite droppings, called frass, may resemble sawdust or coffee grounds and are typically hexagonal in shape. The color varies with the wood type. Some termites use droppings as a defense mechanism, sealing colony galleries from potential intruders. Termite waste can be found in mounds or trails. If a mound of pellets exists, they may be coming from a tiny hole in the area used specifically to eliminate the pellets from galleries where termites dwell.

Yes! These dirt-constructed tubes extend over floor joists, support piers, foundation members, through slabs, walls and the like. The tubes are usually the diameter of a pencil but may be bigger, and contain tiny particles of dried soil. They are used for worker termites to travel from their underground colonies to their feeding grounds, which may be in your home. Tubes can be opened and examined for the presence of worker termites, which are creamy white in appearance.