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Van Alstyne’s Drywood Termites: What You Need To Know

Van Alstyne’s Drywood Termites: What You Need To Know

Termites can inflict major structural damage to your Van Alstyne home. One termite infestation can rapidly lead to significant financial repercussions. Termites are uniquely pernicious pests. They can remain undetected, all while chipping away at your pocketbook. Once they’ve taken hold of your home, they can be difficult to remove. The removal of an infestation will most likely require professional assistance. But, eliminating a current infestation calls for the proper knowledge from a Van Alstyne pest control professional. You should know how to first identify and then prevent an infestation. Due to their small size, species of termites are difficult to differentiate from one another. However, disparate species leave disparate signs of their presence.

Between Subterranean And Drywood Termites

You should be aware of the differences between subterranean termites and drywood termites for proper prevention.

  • Drywood termites have an elaborate system of veins, whereas subterranean termites have only one vein. 
  • Drywood termites nest in the wood they infest, while subterranean termites live underground. 
  • Subterranean termites produce mud tubes to infiltrate your home through its foundation. By contrast, drywood termites don’t require the moisture of mud tubes to invade your home. 
  • The frass or excrement of drywood termites looks akin to grains of sand. On the other hand, drywood termite frass looks like cardboard. 
  • Drywood termites have smaller colines than subterranean termites and thus take longer to inflict damage. 
  • Subterranean termites need moisture to survive; they also target wet, damaged wood.  Drywood termites (hence their name) need very little moisture for survival.  

Signs Of A Drywood Termite Infestation

To remove or prevent an infestation, you must first identify it. The markings of a drywood termite infestation are vast, but you should know about the common signs. The most obvious sign of a termite infestation is the presence of a termite colony.

  • Swarms can be relatively small, with only 10 to 100 drywood termites. 
  • You may hear clicking noises. Termites make soft clicking noises in the wood they infest. Workers alert other workers with these noises. The noises signal impending danger, likely resulting from your presence near the wood. 
  • Similarly, drywood termites are also incredibly loud eaters. You may hear soft munching sounds originating from your wood. 
  • You might also witness flying termites. Rainfall increases the likelihood of flying termite swarms. Though you may not see a swarm, you may notice discarded wings near doorways or windows. 
  • Infestations will likely lead to the presence of frass resembling salt or pepper. Predictably, you’ll see this frass near wood. 
  • Lastly, drywood termites hollow out wood. Therefore, infested wood should produce a hollow sound.

Preventing Termites In Your Van Alstyne Home

When it comes to all species of termites, the best offense is a good defense. Implementing some preventative measures will help keep them away so that you can avoid the headache of dealing with a termite infestation.

  • Remove any dead firewood or trees that may attract termites.
  • Stack your firewood at least 20 feet away from your home to reduce the likelihood of termites invading. 
  • Examine any lumber or shingles for drywood termites. 
  • Seal any possible entry points. This can include cracks, crevices, and holes. Use vents, steel wool, or a fresh coat of paint to cover these entry points.
  • Check your fence for signs of infestation. Rotten wood fences are particularly susceptible to a termite infestation.
  • Turn your lights off at night, as termites are attracted to the bright glow of lights. 
  • Lastly, you should receive regular professional termite inspections and treatments to prevent the growth of an infestation.

If prevention doesn’t work, you may need termite control services in Van Alstyne.

Call EcoArmor Pest Defense LLC

Your drywood termite infestation will require professional assistance. Termites can inflict major damage to your Van Alstyne home, damage that necessitates immediate action to prevent. Termites are a tenacious pest, keen on creating enough nests to cost you a fortune. We encourage you to call us at EcoArmor Pest Defense LLC. We will inspect your home, develop a customized plan, and install below-ground and above-ground bait stations to eliminate your termite problem. Even further, if you’re worried about termites invading your home, we also offer preventative termite plans.  We can remove your drywood termite infestation so that you can get back to your life. Reach out to EcoArmor Pest Defense to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Van Alstyne.