Pest Expert Overview: Drywood Termites in Bryan & College Station
Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites do not require contact with soil to survive. There are 3 species of drywood termite found in Texas, Incisitermies snyderi, Cryptotermes brevis, and Incisitermes minor. Drywood termites are similar in appearance to subterranean termites: milky white in color and wingless. Drywood termites also produce winged reproductives which are darker in color.
Drywood termites are not very common in Texas, except along the gulf coast. Our experience in Central Texas is that infestations are most often associated with wooden furniture or decorations imported from other areas. Infestations are usually noticed because of the extremely uniformly shaped hexagonal fecal pellets that drywood termites eject as they feed.
Life Cycle
Drywood termite colonies are much smaller than subterranean termite colonies and grow very slowly. A colony with 2,500 individuals is considered large and it takes 15 or more years to reach that size. Colonies are found in dry, sound wood.
Like subterranean termites, drywood termite colonies are about 50:50 male to female. Workers are capable of molting into the other castes including soldiers or supplemental reproductives, depending on colony needs.
Drywood termites spread in the same ways as subterranean termites through budding, where part of a colony is separated from the main colony and continues to thrive, or through a reproductive swarm. They also are moved around on infested furniture or decorative wood items.
Why are they Pests?
In nature, drywood termites are considered beneficial in breaking down cellulose in dead trees. Structural and decorative wood used in homes can also be destroyed by drywood termites, making them an important pest of structures.
Drywood Termite Prevention
Professional inspections are very important when it comes to preventing extensive damage from drywood termites. As the homeowner, you never ignore recurring debris piles indoors. Recurring debris piles can be frass from several types of insects, including termites and carpenter ants.
Professional Drywood Termite Control
If you are dealing with an infestation of drywood termites, Venus Pest Company can help. Founded by Aggie Entomologist Dr. Scott Lingren, we provide expert, eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management solutions in Bryan and College Station. To get started, fill out the contact form, call/text 979.774.0486 or email [email protected]. Don’t let nuisance pests take over your home!
