Did you know that drywood termites have significantly different characteristics when compared to their subterranean cousins? Drywood termites are silent invaders, capable of wreaking havoc without leaving any obvious signs until it’s too late. Unlike subterranean termites that require soil contact, drywood termites thrive directly inside the wood they feast on, thus making your furniture and wooden structures the perfect target.

So how do you safeguard your home from these little terrors? Prevention. Planning ahead of time and taking steps to reduce the factors that promote drywood termite infestation would be the first step to avoiding encounters with these termites. Here we have provided you with a list of prevention methods to keep the drywood termites at bay.

Strategies for Preventing Drywood Termites 

As mentioned earlier, drywood termites are extremely sneaky. You might not even notice the infestation until the damage is too great to simply repair. Hence precaution is a great part of prevention when it comes to drywood termites.

1. Know the early warning signs

Drywood termites leave some signs of their presence but they can easily go unnoticed. Knowing these early signs and actively seeking them out can help you identify the infestation at the early stage and eliminate it before it becomes unmanageable.

Here are the signs to look out for:

• Termite droppings: Looks small and pellet-like. Often found near infested furniture, windowsills, etc.
• Discarded wings: Discarded wings near windows and doors can indicate the start of a new infestation.
• Small holes or cracks in wood: Tiny holes or cracks in wooden surfaces can indicate drywood termite infestation.
• Hollow-sounding wood: Hollow sound can be heard when you tap on infested wood.

 2. Schedule regular inspections

You can be vigilant but it is impossible for you to consciously look for infestation in every nook and corner. Hire trained experts from a termite control company to do the job. These people are trained to identify the smallest signs of infestation and they would also know about the type of termites invading your home. For example, if they find mud tubes then they might suggest you subterranean termite treatments.

Annual termite inspections will help you catch infestations right at the start and the experts will recommend you the best drywood termite solutions. Routine inspections once a year are generally recommended but if you live in termite-prone areas then it is best to schedule inspections biannually.

3. Seal entry points

Drywood Termites do not tunnel into your house as subterranean termites do. They enter simply through the cracks and gaps in the structure. Hence it is important to seal these points to block them from entering your house.

• · Seal cracks in walls and baseboards with caulk.
• · Install weather stripping where necessary.
• · Install termite mesh to windows and doors, if possible. 

4. Use treated wood for construction

If you are in the construction phase of your home or any additional structure on your property then choose treated wood. Pressure-treated wood is less prone to termite damage. You can also use termite-resistant wood. Applying protective sealant over the existing wood can also repel termites but make sure to reapply the coating when it wears off.

5. Avoid storing wood inside the home

Termites are attracted to anything that contains cellulose since it is the optimal food source for the creatures. Avoid storing firewood, scrap wood, or even cardboard inside the home. Dispose them regularly or store them at least 20 feet away from the property.

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Also Read: Facts About Drywood Termites That Will Blow Your Mind

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6. Declutter your house

Having too many things not only makes it hard to notice the infestation but also provides an opportunity for the termites to spread fast. Regularly clean and declutter your house. Get rid of damaged wood items or store the antique items properly. Hoarding too many books and papers that you don’t often use can also invite termites.

7. Provide proper ventilation and moisture control

Rotting wooden items and wooden structures in high humidity levels are more prone to drywood termite attacks. Make sure that your house is properly ventilated, especially the hardly accessible places like crawl spaces and basements. Fix leaks and avoid moisture accumulation. If you live in areas with high moisture levels, make sure that you have a subfloor ventilation system installed.

8. Inspect wooden items before bringing them indoors

When you purchase new wooden items, especially second-hand or antique items take the time to check them for signs of termites. Small and minute holes or hollow-sounding wood are some definite signs of termite infestation. It is better to throw away these items. Use borate sprays on suspicious items and leave them in the sunlight for some time before bringing them in.

9. Turn off lights at night

Swarmers or winged termites are attracted to light sources. These termites swarm in search of a place to start a new colony and often converge near light lamps. During the swarming season, keep the lights off during the night and also close the windows and doors. Replace bright porch lights with insect-repelling yellow bulbs.

 

HiTech Termite Control  

Are you ready to protect your home from drywood termites? If you suspect an infestation or simply have questions, we are here to help. At Hi Tech Termite Control, we offer licensed expert solutions to termite problems. For booking a free estimate, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I identify drywood termite infestation early?

Look for signs like small pellet-like droppings, discarded wings near windows and doors, tiny holes in wood, or a hollow sound when tapping on wooden surfaces.

 2. How often should I schedule termite inspections?

Annual inspections are recommended, but in termite-prone areas, biannual inspections are ideal for early detection.

 3. What materials can prevent drywood termite damage during construction?

Use pressure-treated or termite-resistant wood, and apply protective sealants over existing wood to repel termites.

 4. Why is sealing entry points important for preventing drywood termites?

Sealing cracks in walls, baseboards, and installing weather stripping blocks termites from entering your home.

 5. How can moisture control help prevent drywood termites?

Proper ventilation and fixing leaks reduce humidity, making wooden structures less attractive to termites.

 6. What precautions should I take before bringing wooden items indoors?

Inspect for small holes or hollow-sounding wood, use borate sprays, and expose suspicious items to sunlight before bringing them inside.

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