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Drywood Termites

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The Silent Destroyers of Your Home

 

Don't let drywood termites turn your biggest investment into a meal! Unlike their subterranean cousins that need soil contact, drywood termites live entirely within the wood they infest—meaning they can take up residence in your attic, furniture, or structural beams, often going undetected for years. Their colonies are small, but the damage they cause is real, compromising the integrity of your home from the inside out.

 

What Makes Drywood Termites Different?

Drywood termites are unique pests that can thrive in dry, sound wood with very little moisture, which is why they are a common problem in warmer, coastal regions.

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• No Soil Contact: They don't build mud tubes and don't need to return to the ground. They are fully self-sufficient within the wood.

• Smaller Colonies: Their colonies are typically much smaller (often fewer than 1,000 members) and more dispersed throughout a structure than subterranean colonies.

• Slower Damage: While the damage may occur more slowly than that from subterranean termites, it can be just as structurally significant because they bore across the grain of the wood.

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Key Signs of a Drywood Termite Infestation

Catching a drywood termite problem early is crucial to minimizing costly repairs. Keep an eye out for these telltale signs:

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• Frass (Faeal Pellets): Look for tiny, hard, sand-like, six-sided pellets in small piles. Termites push this waste out of small "kick-out" holes as they tunnel. Frass is often found on windowsills, floors, or under infested furniture.

• Discarded Wings: After swarming (which often occurs during late summer and fall, or in spring/summer, depending on the region), winged reproductive termites, called alates, shed their translucent wings. Piles of these wings near windows, doors, or light fixtures are a strong indication of a colony nearby.

• Hollow-Sounding Wood: Tap on wooden structures, such as beams or door frames. Wood that sounds hollow or "papery" has likely been extensively eaten from the inside.

• Blistering or Peeling Paint: As termites tunnel just beneath the wood surface, they can cause the paint or wood veneer to bubble, crack, or flake.

• Visible Swarmers: Seeing winged termites flying indoors, especially drawn to light sources, is a clear sign that a mature colony is trying to establish new nests within or near your home.

 

Treatment and Prevention Options

If you suspect an infestation, it's best to call a professional for an inspection. Drywood termite control is complex and often requires professional expertise. Treatment options generally fall into two categories:

 

Localised (Spot) Treatments (For Accessible Infestations)

These focus on eliminating a known, contained infestation in a specific area.

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• Wood Treatments: Products containing borates (like Bora-Care) can be applied to unpainted, unfinished wood to kill termites that ingest it and prevent new ones.

• Drill-and-Fill: This involves drilling small holes into the infested wood and injecting a liquid, dust, or foam insecticide directly into the termite galleries.

• Removal and Replacement: For heavily damaged or easily accessible wood members, complete removal and replacement with new, treated wood may be the best option.

 

Prevention is always the first line of defence! Seal all cracks, crevices, and small openings in your home's exterior, particularly around the roof, windows, and doors, to prevent swarmers from entering and starting new colonies.

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Concerned about drywood termites in your home? Schedule a professional termite inspection today to protect your property and gain peace of mind.

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