How Bad Are Drywood Termites?
WouterTermites are wood boring insects that can quickly eat through the walls and floors of your home. They cause up to $5 billion in property damage in the U.S. each year. They are not covered by homeowners insurance, and require preventative treatment to stop infestations.
Drywood termites are not as destructive as subterranean termites. Their colonies are much smaller and they are not usually found in moist soil. They live in dry wood and leave behind small, dry droppings called frass.
A colony may contain between a few hundred and a few thousand members. They are a little smaller than subterranean termites, which may reach six digits in size. A mature drywood termite colony takes a few years to produce swarmers.
Swarms of winged reproductives are the most visible sign of a drywood termite infestation. The swarmers may start a new colony in a crack or opening in the wood. The swarmers are the future kings and queens of the new colony.
After the swarmers die, the drywood termites will leave the wood through holes that are about 1/16 to 1/8 inch in diameter. They will then begin feeding. They can also fly into other levels of your home.
The damage caused by drywood termites can be cosmetic or structural. They can eat through paint and wood flooring. They can also travel through the smallest cracks in your home. They can be difficult to detect. They are most common in older structures.
