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Detecting drywood termites

Since colonies are usually constructed inside wood, finding these termites can be difficult during routine pest and dry-rot inspections. Therefore, one of the best ways to identify an active infestation is the presence of fecal pellets.

Drywood termite fecal pellets are kicked out of the colony by workers and may accumulate below infestations. Fecal pellets have a distinct ridged shape and are about 1/25" long (about the size of table salt). Subterranean termites do not kick out dry fecal pellets from their colonies and drywood termite fecal pellets are much larger than the boring dust particles of powderpost beetles.

Drywood termite damage

Wood is damaged as the drywood worker termites tunnel to enlarge their colony. Drywood termite galleries cut across the wood's grain (right) thus weakening the wood's internal structure and eventually the wood fails. Fecal pellets may be packed into some of the galleries

Drywood termite damage tends to progress more slowly than damage from subterranean termites but because it is so difficult to detect, considerable damage, extending over a wide area, may be present by the time it is first found (below right).

Treatment & control of drywood termites

Drywood termite control is generally not a DIY project for most homeowners. Baiting, which is effective for some other termites, is not an option because drywood termites never leave the protection of their galleries. Perimeter sprays, that are effective for carpenter ants, won't work here either. And, treating the soil under and around the structure with termiticide, which is used for subterranean termites, does not work because drywood termites may never contact the soil.

Limited control can be achieved by treating individual colonies as they are found during, for example, reconstruction or remodeling. These found colonies can be treated by drilling into the wood and injecting insecticide such as Bora Care, Termidor or Premise directly into the tunnels (see Bora Care Insecticide and Termidor Insecticide).

Drywood termite infestations can be prevented by the use of treated or sealed wood. Wood that has been surface-treated with borate, copper-arsenate preservative ("pressure treated") or painted will stop an initial attack, but cracks or cuts must be retreated.

If the infestation is widespread it may be necessary to "tent and fumigate". This is an expensive and difficult procedure and is definitely not a DIY project. In the final analysis you may need to hire pest control services to deal with an established infestation of drywood termites (see Fumigation for Structural Pests).

Related Article:

Regular Inspections Can Prevent Termite Damage