Drywood termites are one of the most destructive pests that can cause a lot of damage. These termites make their nest and build their colonies in woods and consume wood as their food and feed wood to their larvae as well.
Because drywood termites have a deep attachment with wood they are known as drywood termites.
Drywood termites:
There are two most common types of termites. Drywood termites and subterranean termites. They both are very destructive; the main difference is the drywood termites build nests and colonies in wooden stuff and subterranean termites use soil.
Termites are very destructive and they never go away on their own, and thus, to get rid of them, essential techniques, methods, and strategies should be followed as a preventive measure against them.
Some Basic Facts About Termites:
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Color of DryWood Termites:
Drywood termites are usually of pale brown color or can vary between dark brown and light brown.
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Existence of Colonies:
They occur in colonies, which occur inside the woods, therefore, making no contact with the soil. The biggest colony may consist of around 4800 termites as it has been reported as the biggest colony yet.
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Morphology of Termites?
A broader waist, shorter legs, and straight antennae are some distinguishing features of a dry-wood termite.
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What Are Termite Swarmers?
Termites do also possess wings. Due to the presence of wings, they are also referred to as alates or so-called termite swarmers. They swarm in order to expand their population to other new locations.
Inquisitees minor is a species of termite’s family, commonly known as western dry-wood termite, native to western North America.
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What Are Subterranean Termites?
Such termites that occur in direct contact with the soil are called subterranean termites. They grow in colonies within the soil and are usually confined to moist places.
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What Are the Signs And Symptoms Of DryWood Termites?
The furniture becomes hollow and bubbly as the internal spaces of the furniture get filled with termite’s colony, instead of the wooden pulp. The paint gets bubbly or peeled off due to the presence of termites. A hollow cracking sound that is usually produced by tapping over the affected area also verifies it. They are also characterized by the presence of droppings (frass).
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Infestations Causing Huge Troubles:
The infestations can be very risky as the dry-wood termites in the furniture completely fill up space inside the wood, thus making the furniture very weak and causing devastating structural damage.
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How Are Termites Attracted to A Home?
These are usually drawn inside the home through moisture, cracks in the exterior of the building, or through the woods that are found in contact with the areas, carrying house foundations for termites.
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What Do DryWood Droppings Look Like?
They are of pellet shape and usually appear dry. Droppings mostly appear black in color but also can vary from beige to dark brown depending on the type of wood consumed by the termites.
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What Does the Presence Of Droppings Mean?
Since these are the excretory products produced by these tiny destructive enemies, therefore, whenever you see them anywhere at the home, you might think of their presence and thus, should definitely call the exterminator to remove them. Then the exterminator resolves the problem, based on the extent of the infestation.
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Extensive Infestations of Dry-Wood Termites:
Widespread dry-wood termite infestations can be so hard and difficult to be treated by your own self, therefore it would require the region either to be tented or fumigated.
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Caste System in Dry-Wood Termites:
The caste system of termites comprises two types of groups based on the fact whether they can reproduce or not. Hence, they are either fertile i.e. reproductive or sterile. The sterile ones include the workers, pre-soldiers, and soldiers whereas the fertile ones include the primary reproductive and secondary reproductive.
Extermination of Termites:
It is necessary to get rid of termites. Now, the question arises, how to get rid of these drywood termites? Or what are the possible treatment methods, which will help you to remove these tiny organisms from home? No need to worry at all, since we are here with the top 5 spectaculars and the best treatments that could be done when your furniture or home is at high risk of exposure to these tiny destructive termites.
Which method to use depends on the wood, that is if the infested wood is visible, or if it is raw, or has been stained, peeled, or painted. It has been highly recommended for the readers to contact and use a reputable and well-known pest control company if the infestation is uncontrollable since it would require fumigation or installments of bait stations.
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Remove or Replace Infested Wood:
The simplest and most feasible way to get rid of drywood termites is to remove and/or replace the infested woods. This method is only reliable when the Infestation is confined to a limited extent, and in such cases when the wood is easily removable i.e. infestation is localized to one or two pieces of easily accessible wood. In such a case, this method is the most effective and reliable one. If the wood cannot be replaced or removed, then it is not applicable, and then you must look at the different methods below for treatment options.
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Treat Unpainted or Raw Wood with Bora-Care:
What is bora care? Bora-care is a concentrated borate-based product with a glycol (alcohol) base. It can penetrate up to 4 inches into the wood, making it more efficacious and dependable than other products. Treat Unpainted or Raw Wood with Bora-Care can be only applied to unstained or/ unpainted woods. It also prevents new termites from entering the treated wood. Once applied correctly will provide a lifetime relief.
For Bora-care treatment, you may have to follow the following procedure:
Mix Bora-Care with Water:
Mix 1-part of bora-care with 1-part of water in order to treat the infested wood. It would be better if you use warm water for the mixture, since the product is very thick and viscous, and therefore may be very hard to mix.
If you are treating an uninfected wood, then mix 1-part bora-care with 5-parts of water.
Apply Bora-Care to Wood:
You can apply the mixture to the wood in either of the following ways:
- By using a hand pump sprayer
- Foaming into walls by using a foaming additive and device
- By painting the mixture directly onto the woods
Before following the bora-care treatment, remember to read the product label for better and profound results.
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The Drill and Fill Method of Termite Treatment:
If the infested wood is painted, then you can use the drill and fill method as a treatment for your dry-wood termites. To follow this treatment, you have to follow the given steps in order as mentioned below;
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Drill Your Holes:
Drill holes every 8 to 10 inches along and into the infested wood. While drilling, you will be able to feel the infested areas as they will appear less resistant and will be drilled easily.
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Fill Holes with Insecticides:
Secondly, after drilling, proceed with filling the holes with good quality and effective drywood termite insecticide. The product may be of your choice. For optimal results, don’t forget to read the product label before its application.
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Close the Holes:
Finally, by using a wood patch, plaster, putty, or any other appropriate material of your choice, close and repair the holes that you made earlier in the infested wood for your treatment.
Remember that the above-mentioned methods may only be used when the infestations are up to a limited extent. For widespread infestations, don’t try to treat it all by yourself as it could be very risky in the future. In case of widespread infestations, we strongly recommend you contact a professional pest control company for help.
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Dry-Wood Termite Fumigation:
When huge and extensive infestations are found, then the only remedy to come out from this problem is that the treatment should be performed by fumigation.
Sulfuryl fluoride gas used in fumigation. It is regarded as an effective means of targeted control of stored product insects like those of termites, mites, moths, etc. the entire affected area or building is completely covered tightly with a fumigation cover (tarps), and then the gas is introduced.
These play a major role in the extermination of termites. They also help in the prevention of termites once installed. They are among the best treatments for these devastating organisms. Termite Bait Station even helps to exterminate the queens, therefore, ensure complete treatment from termites.
Among the best termite bait stations includes the sentricon bait station and advanced bait stations.
DryWood Termite Treatment Cost:
It can average from $218 to $2500, according to the method of treatment. It can be either very cheap or even too expensive, depending on the method of extermination.
Best DryWood Termites Killers:
There is a huge variety of different kinds of termite killers out there, ranging from liquid termiticides to bait stations and foams.
Although many termite killers do exist, in this article, we have selected the top five termite killers that have run the best so far in this year. These are enlisted as below;
- Taurus SC
- Bifen XTS
- Spectracide Terminate
- Termidor Foam
- Bio advanced Termite Killer
People Also Asks:
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How serious are drywood termites?
It depends upon the range of infestations, which may be either limited to one area of a house, causing minor destructions, whereas, the damage is often extensive in case of widespread infestations.
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How do you kill drywood termites?
The simplest way to get rid of them is by removing the infested wood if the damage is localized to a small area. Replacement of infested wood is the most effective means of getting rid of them.
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What are signs of drywood termites?
Dry-wood droppings, bubbling or peeling paint, or a hollow cracking sound on tapping the infested areas indicate the signs of dry-wood termites.
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How long does it take for dry-wood termites to cause damage?
No practical solution is available to this question. However, some pest control professionals estimated that they may take as long as 3-8 years to cause extensive damages.
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Can you get rid of dry-wood termites without tenting?
Yes, spot treatments, or injection of orange oil or liquid nitrogen into infested wood can be done instead of tenting.
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Are drywood termites hard to get rid of?
Depending on the infestation area, widespread infestations can lead to extensive damages, and then it would become hard to get rid of them.
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How do you kill dry-wood termites yourself?
The simplest way to kill dry-wood termites by itself includes the use of termiticides and pest control sprays.
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How do you kill drywood termites naturally?
Termites can be avoided naturally as well. Nematodes love to munch on termites, whereas vinegar, borates, orange oil, and other preventive measures can also help to reduce the risks of infestations by termites. Boric acid is one of the best and cheapest ways to kill and prevent termites at home. Wood termites and pest control is upheld in the same way as well.
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Can you spot treat drywood termites?
Yes, we can spot dry-wood termites on our own, and it may be effective as well but there are several factors needed for them to work. Most importantly, the problem needs to be isolated. Moreover, there needs to be a clear picture of termite’s activity and the area needs to be easily accessible.
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Do drywood termites die on their own?
Surely not. Since they don’t need any food supply for their nourishment, they won’t die on their own and therefore, you have to take precautionary measures for their removal.
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How long do drywood termites live?
Depending upon the caste system, life spans may vary. Queens may live for up to 10-12 years whereas workers survive hardly for about two years.
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How do drywood termites enter your home?
Through infested furniture brought inside the home or foundation vents that are not screened, dry-wood termites can get into our homes.
Conclusion:
Dry-wood termites are a group of eusocial insects that are among the most successful as well as destructive groups of insects. Remember that these tiny organisms can cause destructive devastations within the home and will not go away on their own. As a result of this, it is necessary to look upon all the five important techniques for the treatment of termites.
Remember to take precautionary measures, if you see any signs of termites at home, and don’t forget to look upon all the important techniques for termite’s extermination that we have authorized just for you, so that you may not find it difficult to treat these devastating enemies.
