Drywood termites are some of the most destructive pests in San Diego, California. They are capable of causing immense damage to your home if they are left unchecked. It’s important that you recognize the signs of these destructive pests before they get out of hand. Termites cause billions of dollars in damages to United States homes each year, yet the public media rarely discusses the dangers of a termite infestation.
First, we’ll go over some of the signs that might indicate that your home has a termite problem. Then we’ll discuss the threat that these pests present so you’re informed about the potential damage that drywood termites can cause. Next, we’ll give you a few practical tips to help you keep drywood termites out of your home and recognize when you may be susceptible to an infestation. Finally, we’ll talk about how to get drywood termites out of your home permanently. Pest control in San Diego is made simple by our team at Green Flash Pest Control.
Signs Your Home May Have Drywood Termites
It’s vital that you know the signs of termites in your home so that you can properly respond if you do find yourself with an infestation. One of the things that makes this rather difficult is that drywood termites live inside the wood they infest, making their presence very hard to detect from the outside.
Drywood termites can remain unnoticed for several years before the damage they deal to a structure leaves significant evidence of their presence. They may leave behind piles of droppings called frass that resemble small pellets of sawdust. Another sign is seeing the discarded wings of termite swarmers, which they lose after they mate.
As their name suggests, drywood termites infest hard, dry wood, which gives them all the moisture they need. The work of excavating and consuming this wood is done by immature drywood termites rather than the worker termites that do this work for other species. Drywood termites tend to be most active on hot, sunny days when the temperature has suddenly risen. You will typically find them in the driest wood in a home, such as attics, furniture, and picture frames.
How Serious Is A Drywood Termite Infestation?
Now that we’ve looked at some of the indicators that you might be dealing with drywood termites let’s talk about how serious a drywood termite infestation in your home can be. Termites are collectively responsible for over 5 billion dollars of damage to homes in the United States every single year. Homeowners' insurance policies usually do not cover this damage, leaving the victims of a termite infestation with even more hassle and expense to worry about.
As drywood termites tunnel through wood, they can weaken the internal structure of support beams, wall studs, and other critical wooden parts of a home. Despite not having a dedicated worker caste, drywood termites can be just as destructive as other termite species. If these issues aren’t dealt with, drywood termites can eventually cause major structural instability or even collapse. Now that we’ve looked at some of the problems that drywood termites can create let’s talk about how to control them effectively.
Five Practical Drywood Termite Prevention Tips For Homes
Drywood termites can cause massive issues in your home, so you want to make sure that you aren’t giving them any chances to get inside. If you can keep them outside where they belong, you can keep your home safe and avoid costly repairs or termite treatments. There are a few simple steps that you can take to help keep your home free of drywood termites. Here are just five:
- Search the exterior of your home for any cracks or gaps and seal them immediately.
- Keep an eye on areas that drywood termites are likely to infest, such as attics.
- Don’t store lumber too close to the house.
- Inspect any secondhand furniture or other wooden items before bringing them into your house.
- Be alert for any evidence of drywood termite damage, such as discarded wings or feces.
If you do find yourself dealing with drywood termites on your property or in your home, don’t panic. There is still a way for you to get rid of these pests.
What It Takes To Get Rid Of Drywood Termites
If you’re in need of termite control in San Diego, California, look no further than our expert team at Green Flash Pest Control. We bring over 25 years of collective experience in the industry, and we’re determined to provide you with the best customer service possible.
Our pest control methods are pet- and child-safe, and our technicians have the necessary tools and training they need to take care of everything for you. If you want local termite specialists for your San Diego home, you can’t go wrong with Green Flash Pest Control. Contact us today!