Everything you need to know about drywood termite treatment

Having drywood termites on your Phoenix property could end up putting your home at risk. These termites can cause serious damage over time, especially if infestations are left alone. Keep the following information on these pests, including drywood termite treatment, in mind to make sure that your home is protected.

Drywood Termite Appearance

What do drywood termites look like?

These termites have some slight differences compared to subterranean termites. You’ll also find differences depending on what type of job they have in the colony. Drywood termite colonies have workers, soldiers and swarmers or alates. Workers in this termite species have a similar appearance as subterranean termite workers. 

Drywood termite soldiers have the following physical characteristics:

• Orange or reddish-orange head color with an eye spot that is a whitish color
• Sloping forehead
• Antennae that have a larger and thicker third segment
• Body plate, or pronotum, that is as wide as the head or wider than it
• Large mouthparts that have teeth
• Larger size overall compared to workers

Drywood termite swarmers, which are the colony members that reproduce, have these physical features:

• Brownish-orange head and body plate and a dark brown abdomen
• Two pairs of wings that have darker veins
• Measure up to 12 millimeters long

Problems with Drywood Termites

Drywood termites differ from subterranean termites when it comes to where they live. Subterranean termites build nests underground. Drywood termites actually live inside the wood that they infest. Since these termites never have to leave their territory, this gives them a lot more time to consume wood. 

Drywood termites can end up causing serious damage when they aren’t detected. They can leave wooden beams and other structures with hollowed insides, which can put homes at risk of structural problems. The damage that these termites cause might only be in one part of your home or throughout your whole home. Even if the damage is only in one area, it can be expensive to repair. 

Signs of a Drywood Termite Infestation

How can you tell if you have a drywood termite problem?

Since these termites can easily stay hidden away, it’s important to know what signs you should be watching for. You might need drywood termite treatment if you have any of the following signs of an infestation in your Phoenix home:

• Visible swarms of drywood termite alates that fly from the colony in order to mate and start a new colony
• Piles of wings that drywood termite alates discard when they are done flying, which can usually be found close to doors and windows
• Drywood termite fecal pellets, known as frass, that resemble sawdust and are typically found close to small holes in wood
• Wood with visible damage or areas of wood that sound hollow or feel soft due to damage

Drywood Termite Treatment Options

What should you do if you have a drywood termite problem?

What you shouldn’t do is attempt to handle it yourself. It’s crucial to eliminate an entire colony, or you’ll continue having your home damaged by surviving colony members. The professionals at Budget Brothers Termite and Pest Elimination have the expertise and materials needed for effectively getting rid of these termites. 

Termiticides, which are pesticides that target termites, provide a solution for dealing with a drywood termite problem. Dupont Altriset is a termiticide that does a thorough job of eliminating a termite colony. Our technicians can evaluate the infestation in your home and determine the most suitable drywood termite treatment to use. 

Your Budget Brothers Termite and Pest Elimination technician will design a unique solution for your termite solution. Contact us today to learn more about drywood termite treatment.