Inspecting For Drywood Termites
Drywood Termite Inspection
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Inspecting For Drywood Termites
It is a good idea to check your home at least one time a year for drywood termites, especially if you live in the southern coastal portion of the United States. Doing your own inspection might seem like a difficult process, but doing a termite inspection yourself is really not that hard and can give you some comfort.
We advise getting an inspection from a professional every few years, especially if your house has areas that are hard to inspect or a lot of wood that meets ground level.
How To Inspect For Drywood Termites
Inspecting for termites can be a dirty undertaking. It is a good idea to purchase a pair of disposable coveralls and gloves. A flashlight will also come in handy to light up darker areas as well as a flat-head screwdriver will allow you to poke at the wood to find weaknesses that would most likely indicate a termite infestation.
You will need to do a complete walk-through around the perimeter of your home and inside as well.
Give special attention to these indicated areas around your house:
- Window sills, frames, door frames, and especially wooden doors
- Wooden cabinets and floors
- Wood elements of construction in attics, basements, and walls
- Piles of wood and debris near the foundation of the house, including the exterior doors and window frames, fence posts, and tree stumps
When you are inspecting for a Drywood termites, look for small holes in wood, damaged wood, and live termites. Below are some signs of a Drywood termite infestation:
- Damaged Wood - Wood with Drywood termite damage might look crushed at the structural joint areas. If you poke the damaged wood with the end of a screwdriver and hear a thud type sound, that would be an indication of termites. If you think wood has been damaged by termites, check the surface with a screwdriver or knife to expose tunnels. Drywood termites can create tunnels that run both with the grain or against the grain of the wood.
- Small Holes in the Wood - Drywood termites will make small holes in wood to get rid of their feces. These holes are usually small and about the the size of the tip of a pen.
- Feces - Drywood termite droppings are hard and dry and the color will vary from a brown to a tan.
- Wing Piles - Before Drywood termite swarmers enter their next stage of development, they will lose their wings. Lost wings are usually left scattered in piles near windows or other sources of light.