Drywood Termites
Drywood termites are notorious for causing severe damage, contributing to over $1.7 billion in control costs in the U.S. annually. Their presence often goes unnoticed until the damage becomes apparent or swarms occur within your home.
Biology: These termites live in colonies within dry wood. Because they are smaller than other types, drywood colonies can be tricky to detect, as they neither dwell underground nor create mud tubes.
Signs of Infestation: Look for distinctive fecal pellets that accumulate below “kick holes.”
General Biology
Drywood termites are social insects that live in colonies in sound, dry wood. Each colony consists of offspring from an original pair (a male and a female). There are three growth stages: eggs, immatures, and adults. Drywood termites are larger than the local, southwestern subterranean species.
In comparison to other termites, drywood colonies are rather small (a few thousand individuals), and the colony develops relatively slowly. They neither live in the ground nor maintain contact with the soil, and they do not build mud tubes.
In comparison to other termites, drywood colonies are rather small (a few thousand individuals), and the colony develops relatively slowly. They neither live in the ground nor maintain contact with the soil, and they do not build mud tubes.
Drywood Pellets
Drywood termites produce characteristic feces called pellets. These pellets are eliminated from the galleries through “kick holes”. Pellets tend to accumulate on surfaces located below the kick holes and are usually the first evidence of a drywood termite infestation.
Drywood termites tend to cut across wood grain, destroying both the soft spring wood and the harder summer growth. Subterranean termites typically follow the grain of the wood, feeding primarily on the soft spring wood.
Drywood termites tend to cut across wood grain, destroying both the soft spring wood and the harder summer growth. Subterranean termites typically follow the grain of the wood, feeding primarily on the soft spring wood.
The reproductives are winged (alates or swarmers) or wingless males and females that produce offspring. The primary reproductives, also called swarmers or alates, vary in body color from dark brown to light yellowish tan. Their wings may be almost clear to smoke-gray, with few distinct veins. Swarmer drywood termites are about 7/16-inch-long, including the wings.
If the primary reproductives die, they are replaced by immatures that can become capable of reproductive activity. They are known as replacement or secondary reproductives.
If the primary reproductives die, they are replaced by immatures that can become capable of reproductive activity. They are known as replacement or secondary reproductives.
Subterranean Termites
These termites are the most destructive in California, often nesting in soil or near damp areas.
Habitat: Subterranean termites require moisture, making them prevalent in rotting wood and structural foundations.
Appearance: The winged reproductives are dark brown to black and swarm during warm, sunny days.
Appearance: The winged reproductives are dark brown to black and swarm during warm, sunny days.
Subterranean Swarmer
The western subterranean termite is the most destructive termite found in California. Reproductive winged forms of subterranean termites are dark brown to brownish black, with brownish gray wings. On warm, sunny days following fall or sometimes spring rains, swarms of reproductives may be seen. Soldiers are wingless with white bodies and pale-yellow heads.
Their long, narrow heads have no eyes. Workers are slightly smaller than reproductives, wingless, and have a shorter head than soldiers; their color is similar to that of soldiers. In the desert areas of California, Heterotermes aureus is the most destructive species of subterranean termites.
Their long, narrow heads have no eyes. Workers are slightly smaller than reproductives, wingless, and have a shorter head than soldiers; their color is similar to that of soldiers. In the desert areas of California, Heterotermes aureus is the most destructive species of subterranean termites.
Termite Life Cycle: Understanding Infestation
Termites usually swarm in late summer or fall, with both kings and queens losing their wings post-mating. An infestation begins once a mated pair finds suitable nesting material. The female lays eggs, and workers care for the young while sustaining the colony.
Carpenter Bees: The Nuisance
Carpenter bees create nests in wood and will rarely cause severe structural damage, but their presence can be alarming.
Identification: These bees resemble bumblebees but have shiny abdomens and can be found commonly in various wooden structures.
Damage: Their nesting activities leave behind holes, stains, and weakened timber, particularly in untreated wood.
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