Termites are insects that feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials, causing billions of dollars in structural damage every year. They are sometimes called “white ants” because of their pale color and social behavior, but they are not closely related to ants. In fact, termites belong to the order Blattodea, which also includes cockroaches and mantids.
There are over 2,500 species of termites in the world, but only about 10% of them are considered pests. Termites can be classified into three main groups based on their habitat and feeding habits: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites. Each group has different characteristics, behaviors, signs of infestation, prevention methods, and control options. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to help you identify and deal with these destructive insects.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are the most common and widespread termite group in the world. They live in colonies that can contain millions of individuals, and they build extensive networks of tunnels and mud tubes in the soil and wood. Subterranean termites need constant contact with moisture to survive, so they usually attack wood that is in contact with the ground or has a high moisture content.
Some of the most destructive subterranean termite species are:
- Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus): This invasive species originated in China and has spread to many parts of the world, especially in the southern United States. Formosan termites are aggressive and can consume up to 13 ounces of wood daily. They can also build huge nests called “cartons” that can fill up wall cavities, attics, and crawl spaces.
- Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes): This is the most common termite species in North America, found from Maine to Florida and west to Texas. Eastern subterranean termites can cause significant damage to wooden structures, especially in older buildings that have not been treated with termite-resistant materials.
- Western subterranean termite (Reticulitermes hesperus): This is the most common termite species in the western United States, found from Washington to California and east to Nevada. Western subterranean termites can infest a variety of wood types, including hardwoods, softwoods, and composite materials.
How to Identify Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites can be identified by their physical appearance, their behavior, and the signs they leave behind. Here are some tips to help you recognize them:
- Physical appearance: Subterranean termites have three distinct castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Workers are about 1/4 inch long, cream-colored, and have no eyes or wings. Soldiers have large heads and mandibles that they use to defend the colony. Reproductives are winged termites that emerge from the colony during the swarming season (usually spring or summer) to mate and start new colonies. They have dark brown or black bodies and two pairs of equal-sized wings that they shed after mating.
- Behavior: Subterranean termites are active year-round, but they are more visible during the swarming season when the reproductives fly out of the colony. They usually swarm at dusk or after rain when the humidity is high. They are attracted to light sources and can often be seen near windows or doors. Subterranean termites also communicate with each other using pheromones (chemical signals) that they secrete from their bodies or deposit on their trails.
- Signs of infestation: Subterranean termites leave behind several clues that indicate their presence and activity. Some of the most common signs are:
- Mud tubes: These are thin tubes made of soil, wood particles, and termite saliva that subterranean termites use to travel between their nest and their food source. Mud tubes protect them from predators, dehydration, and temperature changes. They can be found on foundation walls, floor joists, crawl spaces, cracks between boards, or any other place where wood meets soil.
- Damaged wood: Subterranean termites eat wood from the inside out, creating hollow spaces or galleries within the wood. The damaged wood may sound hollow when tapped or may break easily when probed with a screwdriver or a knife. The wood may also have mud or soil inside the galleries or on the surface.
- Discarded wings: After swarming, subterranean termites shed their wings near the entry point of their new colony. You may find piles of wings on window sills, door frames, or other areas where they have landed.
- Termite droppings: Also known as frass, these are small pellets that subterranean termites excrete from their digestive system. They are usually dark brown or black and have a hexagonal shape. They can be found in or near the damaged wood or the mud tubes.
How to Prevent Subterranean Termites
The best way to prevent subterranean termites from infesting your home is to make it less attractive and accessible to them. Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of subterranean termite infestation:
- Eliminate moisture sources: Subterranean termites need moisture to survive, so you should fix any plumbing or roof leaks, improve drainage, and reduce humidity in your home. You should also keep gutters and downspouts clean and free of debris, and install vents or fans in crawl spaces and attics.
- Remove wood-to-soil contact: Subterranean termites can easily access wood that is in contact with the soil, so you should avoid this situation as much as possible. You should keep at least 6 inches of clearance between the soil and any wooden parts of your home, such as siding, door frames, or porch posts. You should also use concrete or metal barriers to separate wood from soil, and avoid using wood mulch near your foundation.
- Use treated or resistant wood: Subterranean termites are less likely to attack wood that has been treated with chemicals or has a natural resistance to decay. You should use treated or resistant wood for any construction or renovation projects that involve wood, especially in areas that are prone to termite activity. You should also inspect any wood materials that you bring into your home, such as furniture, firewood, or lumber, for signs of termite damage or infestation.
- Monitor for termite activity: Subterranean termites can be hard to detect until they have caused significant damage, so you should monitor your home regularly for any signs of their presence. You should also have a professional termite inspection done at least once a year or more often if you live in a high-risk area. A qualified pest control expert can identify termite species, assess the extent of the infestation, and recommend the best treatment options for your situation.
How to Control Subterranean Termites
If you have confirmed that you have a subterranean termite infestation in your home, you should act quickly to eliminate them before they cause more damage. There are several methods available to control subterranean termites, but they vary in effectiveness, cost, and environmental impact. You should consult a professional pest control company to help you choose the best method for your case. Some of the most common methods are:
- Liquid termiticides: These are chemicals that are applied to the soil around and under your home to create a barrier that kills or repels termites. Liquid termiticides can be either repellent or non-repellent. Repellent termiticides deter termites from crossing the treated area, but they may not kill them or affect the colony. Non-repellent termiticides are more effective because they are undetectable by termites and can transfer from one termite to another, killing them and reducing the colony size. Liquid termiticides can last for several years depending on the product and application method.
- Termite baits: These are devices that contain a slow-acting toxic substance that attracts and kills termites. Termite baits are usually installed in the ground around your home where termite activity is suspected or detected. The worker termites feed on the bait and share it with other members of the colony, eventually killing them. Termite baits can take several months to achieve control, but they have less environmental impact than liquid termiticides.
- Fumigation: This is a method that involves covering your entire home with a tent and filling it with a gas that kills all termites inside. Fumigation is usually used for drywood termites, but it can also be effective for subterranean termites if they have infested inaccessible areas of your home. Fumigation is a very expensive and disruptive process that requires you to vacate your home for several days and remove all plants, pets, food, and other items that may be affected by the gas.
- Heat treatment: This is a method that involves raising the temperature of your home to a level that kills all termites inside. Heat treatment is usually used for drywood termites, but it can also be effective for subterranean termites if they have infested accessible areas of your home. Heat treatment is less expensive and disruptive than fumigation, but it may not reach all areas where termites hide.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites are another group of termite pests that can cause damage to wooden structures. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites do not need contact with soil or moisture to survive. They live entirely within dry wood that has a low moisture content, such as furniture, flooring, doors, window frames, or roof shingles.
Some of the most destructive drywood termite species are:
- Western drywood termite (Incisitermes minor): This is the most common drywood termite species in the western United States, found from California to Texas and north to Oregon. Western drywood termites can infest a wide range of wood types, including hardwoods, softwoods, and composite materials. They can also infest furniture, picture frames, books, and other items made of wood or cellulose.
- Southeastern drywood termite (Incisitermes snyderi): This is the most common drywood termite species in the southeastern United States, found from Florida to Texas and north to Virginia. Southeastern drywood termites prefer to attack softwoods, such as pine, cedar, and cypress. They can also infest wooden boats, docks, and fences.
- Powderpost drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis): This invasive species originated from the tropics and has spread to many parts of the world, especially in coastal areas. Powderpost drywood termites are very small and can infest wood that has a very low moisture content, such as furniture, cabinets, doors, and flooring. They can cause severe damage to wood by reducing it to a fine powder.
How to Identify Drywood Termites
Drywood termites can be identified by their physical appearance, their behavior, and the signs they leave behind. Here are some tips to help you recognize them:
- Physical appearance: Drywood termites have three distinct castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Workers are about 1/8 inch long, cream-colored, and have no eyes or wings. Soldiers have large heads and mandibles that they use to defend the colony. Reproductives are winged termites that emerge from the colony during the swarming season (usually fall or winter) to mate and start new colonies. They have dark brown or black bodies and two pairs of equal-sized wings that they shed after mating.
- Behavior: Drywood termites are less active than subterranean termites, but they are more visible during the swarming season when the reproductives fly out of the colony. They usually swarm at night or during the day when the temperature is warm and the humidity is low. They are attracted to light sources and can often be seen near windows or doors. Drywood termites do not communicate with pheromones, but they make clicking or tapping sounds that can be heard with a stethoscope or a screwdriver.
- Signs of infestation: Drywood termites leave behind several clues that indicate their presence and activity. Some of the most common signs are:
- Damaged wood: Drywood termites eat wood from the inside out, creating hollow spaces or galleries within the wood. The damaged wood may sound hollow when tapped or may break easily when probed with a screwdriver or a knife. The wood may also have smooth or clean-cut surfaces where the termites have eaten through it.
- Discarded wings: After swarming, drywood termites shed their wings near the entry point of their new colony. You may find piles of wings on window sills, door frames, or other areas where they have landed.
- Termite droppings: Also known as frass, these are small pellets that drywood termites excrete from their digestive system. They are usually light brown or tan and have a six-sided shape. They can be found in or near the damaged wood or in piles below the infested area.
How to Prevent Drywood Termites
The best way to prevent drywood termites from infesting your home is to make it less attractive and accessible to them. Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of drywood termite infestation:
- Eliminate wood-to-wood contact: Drywood termites can easily access wood that is in contact with other wood, such as siding, trim, or roof shingles. You should keep at least 1 inch of clearance between any wooden parts of your home that touch each other. You should also use metal flashing or caulking to seal any gaps or cracks where wood meets wood.
- Use treated or resistant wood: Drywood termites are less likely to attack wood that has been treated with chemicals or has a natural resistance to decay. You should use treated or resistant wood for any construction or renovation projects that involve wood, especially in areas that are prone to termite activity. You should also inspect any wood materials that you bring into your home, such as furniture, firewood, or lumber, for signs of termite damage or infestation.
- Monitor for termite activity: Drywood termites can be hard to detect until they have caused significant damage, so you should monitor your home regularly for any signs of their presence. You should also have a professional termite inspection done at least once a year or more often if you live in a high-risk area. A qualified pest control expert can identify termite species, assess the extent of the infestation, and recommend the best treatment options for your situation.
How to Control Drywood Termites
If you have confirmed that you have a drywood termite infestation in your home, you should act quickly to eliminate them before they cause more damage. There are several methods available to control drywood termites, but they vary in effectiveness, cost, and environmental impact. You should consult a professional pest control company to help you choose the best method for your case. Some of the most common methods are:
- Spot treatment: This is a method that involves applying a liquid or foam termiticide directly to the infested wood or the entry point of the colony. Spot treatment can be effective for localized or minor infestations, but it may not reach all areas where termites are hiding. Spot treatment can also damage the wood or the finish of the wood if not applied carefully.
- Wood injection: This is a method that involves drilling holes into the infested wood and injecting a liquid or foam termiticide into the galleries or tunnels created by the termites. The wood injection can be more effective than spot treatment because it can reach deeper into the wood and kill more termites. The wood injection can also preserve the appearance of the wood if done properly.
- Fumigation: This is a method that involves covering your entire home with a tent and filling it with a gas that kills all termites inside. Fumigation is usually used for drywood termites, but it can also be effective for subterranean termites if they have infested inaccessible areas of your home. Fumigation is a very expensive and disruptive process that requires you to vacate your home for several days and remove all plants, pets, food, and other items that may be affected by the gas.
- Heat treatment: This is a method that involves raising the temperature of your home to a level that kills all termites inside. Heat treatment is usually used for drywood termites, but it can also be effective for subterranean termites if they have infested accessible areas of your home. Heat treatment is less expensive and disruptive than fumigation, but it may not reach all areas where termites are hiding.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites are another group of termite pests that can cause damage to wooden structures. Unlike subterranean and drywood termites, dampwood termites do not form large colonies or build mud tubes. They live in small groups within moist or decaying wood that has a high moisture content, such as logs, stumps, fallen trees, or wood in contact with water.
Some of the most destructive dampwood termite species are:
- Pacific dampwood termite (Zootermopsis angusticollis): This is the largest and most common dampwood termite species in North America, found from British Columbia to Mexico along the Pacific coast. Pacific dampwood termites can infest a variety of wood types, including hardwoods, softwoods, and composite materials. They can also infest wooden structures that are exposed to moisture, such as decks, fences, or siding.
- Nevada dampwood termite (Zootermopsis nevadensis): This is a smaller and less common dampwood termite species in North America, found from British Columbia to Mexico along the Rocky Mountains. Nevada dampwood termites prefer to attack softwoods, such as pine, fir, or spruce. They can also infest wooden structures that are exposed to moisture, such as decks, fences, or siding.
- Florida dampwood termite (Neotermes castaneus): This is an invasive species that originated from the Caribbean and has spread to Florida and other parts of the southeastern United States. Florida dampwood termites can infest a wide range of wood types, including hardwoods, softwoods, and composite materials. They can also infest wooden structures that are exposed to moisture, such as docks, boats, or roofs.
How to Identify Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites can be identified by their physical appearance, their behavior, and the signs they leave behind. Here are some tips to help you recognize them:
- Physical appearance: Dampwood termites have three distinct castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Workers are about 1/4 inch long, cream-colored, and have no eyes or wings. Soldiers have large heads and mandibles that they use to defend the colony. Reproductives are winged termites that emerge from the colony during the swarming season (usually summer or fall) to mate and start new colonies. They have dark brown or black bodies and two pairs of equal-sized wings that they shed after mating.
- Behavior: Dampwood termites are less active than subterranean and drywood termites, but they are more visible during the swarming season when the reproductives fly out of the colony. They usually swarm at dusk or after rain when the humidity is high. They are not attracted to light sources and can often be seen near moist or decaying wood. Dampwood termites do not communicate with pheromones, but they make chewing or scraping sounds that can be heard with a stethoscope or a screwdriver.
- Signs of infestation: Dampwood termites leave behind fewer clues that indicate their presence and activity than subterranean and drywood termites. Some of the most common signs are:
- Damaged wood: Dampwood termites eat wood from the inside out, creating large and irregular spaces or galleries within the wood. The damaged wood may sound hollow when tapped or may break easily when probed with a screwdriver or a knife. The wood may also have a damp or musty smell or appearance.
- Discarded wings: After swarming, dampwood termites shed their wings near the entry point of their new colony. You may find piles of wings on moist or decaying wood or in piles below the infested area.
- Termite droppings: Also known as frass, these are small pellets that dampwood termites excrete from their digestive system. They are usually light brown or tan and have a six-sided shape. They can be found in or near the damaged wood or in piles below the infested area.
How to Prevent Dampwood Termites
The best way to prevent dampwood termites from infesting your home is to make it less attractive and accessible to them. Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of dampwood termite infestation:
- Eliminate moisture sources: Dampwood termites need moisture to survive, so you should fix any plumbing or roof leaks, improve drainage, and reduce humidity in your home. You should also keep gutters and downspouts clean and free of debris, and install vents or fans in crawl spaces and attics.
- Remove decaying wood: Dampwood termites prefer to attack wood that is moist or decaying, so you should remove any logs, stumps, fallen trees, or wood in contact with water from your property. You should also avoid using wood mulch near your foundation or storing firewood near your home.
- Use treated or resistant wood: Dampwood termites are less likely to attack wood that has been treated with chemicals or has a natural resistance to decay. You should use treated or resistant wood for any construction or renovation projects that involve wood, especially in areas that are prone to termite activity. You should also inspect any wood materials that you bring into your home, such as furniture, firewood, or lumber, for signs of termite damage or infestation.
- Monitor for termite activity: Dampwood termites can be hard to detect until they have caused significant damage, so you should monitor your home regularly for any signs of their presence. You should also have a professional termite inspection done at least once a year or more often if you live in a high-risk area. A qualified pest control expert can identify termite species, assess the extent of the infestation, and recommend the best treatment options for your situation.
How to Control Dampwood Termites
If you have confirmed that you have a dampwood termite infestation in your home, you should act quickly to eliminate them before they cause more damage. There are fewer methods available to control dampwood termites than subterranean and drywood termites, but they vary in effectiveness, cost, and environmental impact. You should consult a professional pest control company to help you choose the best method for your case. Some of the most common methods are:
- Wood replacement: This is a method that involves removing and replacing the infested wood with new wood that is treated or resistant to termites. Wood replacement can be effective for localized or minor infestations, but it may not reach all areas where termites are hiding. Wood replacement can also be costly and time-consuming depending on the extent of the damage and the location of the infested wood.
- Wood treatment: This is a method that involves applying a liquid or foam termiticide directly to the infested wood or the entry point of the colony. Wood treatment can be effective for localized or minor infestations, but it may not reach all areas where termites are hiding. Wood treatment can also damage the wood or the finish of the wood if not applied carefully.
- Fumigation: This is a method that involves covering your entire home with a tent and filling it with a gas that kills all termites inside. Fumigation is usually used for drywood termites, but it can also be effective for dampwood termites if they have infested inaccessible areas of your home. Fumigation is a very expensive and disruptive process that requires you to vacate your home for several days and remove all plants, pets, food, and other items that may be affected by the gas.
- Heat treatment: This is a method that involves raising the temperature of your home to a level that kills all termites inside. Heat treatment is usually used for drywood termites, but it can also be effective for dampwood termites if they have infested accessible areas of your home. Heat treatment is less expensive and disruptive than fumigation, but it may not reach all areas where termites hide.
Conclusion
Termites are insects that can cause serious damage to wooden structures and items. They can be classified into three main groups based on their habitat and feeding habits: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood termites. Each group has different characteristics, behaviors, signs of infestation, prevention methods, and control options.
In this article, we have provided a comprehensive guide to help you identify and deal with these destructive insects. We hope that this article has been informative and helpful for you. If you have any questions or concerns about termite infestation or treatment, please contact a professional pest control company for assistance. Thank you for reading!