A single colony can extend their galleries several meters and may occupy multiple locations, up to several dozen per structure.
They require no connection with the soil and no aboveground moisture source. All the moisture they need is obtained from the wood they consume, or produce through the metabolism.
Drywood termites consume both spring and summer wood.
The cavities are clean and smooth as though they had been worked with sand paper.
The swarmers often enter houses through unscreened attic or foundation vent, or cracks in the building exterior such as around window and doorframe, soffits, fascial boards, and roof seating.
To conserve moisture, their cuticle is more impermeable to water loss than that of subterranean termites.
Why Is It A Pest?
Drywood termites attack the structure timbers and woodwork of building, as well furniture, hardwood flooring and wooden articles of many kinds.
Infestation can lead to great damage to unprotected buildings and other wooden structures.
Control Measures:
Remedial treatment includes wood replacement, liquid treatment, spot treatment, heat treatment and fumigation.
Preventive strategies include pressure-treatment with wood preservatives such as Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ).
