Drywood termites infamously silently damage the wood in homes, sometimes going entirely unnoticed until substantial damage is done. Learning to correctly inspect and treat drywood termite infestations is a vital factor in saving your home from costly repairs. We will walk you through explaining how to identify signs of drywood termites, how to conduct an inspection, and the proper treatment methods to choose for this pest.
Step 1: Detection of the Presence
Drywood termites are detected by learning how to identify signs that indicate their presence. Since these insects reside inside the wood, they do not need any contact with the soil and thus are relatively difficult to find. However, there are a few signs that one can look for to determine whether these termites are present or not. These include:
Frass:



Also called the droppings of the termites, drywood termites force their waste out from small holes onto the wood surface. These droppings look like little piles of sawdust or sand-like pellets.
Hollow Sounding Wood:
Tap on walls and other wood surfaces. If the wood sounds hollow or papery, this could be a sign that the interior has been eaten away by termites.
Swarming:




During the warm months, you may see winged termites (alates) swarm from around your windows, doorframes, or other wood features within the home. This is surefire evidence that an established colony exists.
Holes in Wood:


Evidence of tiny holes in wooden structures can be indicative of termite entry and exit points.
Step 3: Select the Perfect Treatment Option for Drywood Termite
After the inspection has been conducted, necessary measures should be taken regarding choosing a treatment option. You may decide on different treatments that can vary from just a few spot treatments to whole-home treatments, depending on how serious the infection is.
Localized or Spot Treatments
If the problem is circumscribed to a certain small area, then spot treatments will be remarkably effective in destroying the termites without having to treat the whole house.
- Boric Acid: It is a naturally occurring killer of termites. When it is applied either as a dust or injected into the infected wood, it interferes with the digestive system of the termites, leading to their eventual death.
- Chemical Injection: Termiticide solutions can be directly injected into the infested wood in order to target and kill the colonies. This should be done in the case of minor attacks; this reduces the exposure to unwanted chemicals in other areas of the house.
Fumigation or Tent Treatment
Larger or more widespread infestations will require whole-house fumigation. Fumigation involves tenting the house and filling the home with a gas that penetrates through all of the wood surfaces to kill termites throughout the house.
Pros: This will ensure treatment of termites in all areas of the home, including the inaccessible places
Cons: Fumigation requires vacating the house for several days and is usually more costly than other treatments.
Heat Treatment
Another very creative and effective treatment for drywood termites is heat treatment. There is a specific heater that makes the temperature in your house or building go up, focusing on a certain area, which the termites will find lethal.
Pros: Heat treatment does not use any chemicals and destroys termites in just a few hours.
Cons: It may not be as effective against those places that had been infested deep inside or were formerly substantially insulated by wood.
Preventive Treatments
Once the termites have been eradicated, one should continue with taking precautions in protecting one’s home against future invasions.
- Treated Wood: Termite-resistant or treated wood may be used in case one needs to make any repairs or do new constructions.
- Seal Cracks and Holes: Ensure that all cracks and crevices in your home’s exterior be sealed, especially those around windows and doors, to prevent termites from gaining entry.
Step 4: Monitoring and Ongoing Maintenance
Drywood termite treatment does not stop with the treatment itself. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance will be quite important in the prevention of re-infestation.
- Annual Inspections: Schedule annual termite inspections for early detection of any new termite activity. This is especially so if your home has a history of termite problems.
- Wood Maintenance: Replace any damaged wood, and keep the wood moisture as low as possible. The drywood termites infest dry, unfinished wood. Constantly check your wooden structure or furniture for wear and tear.
- Bait Systems: Consider installing a termite bait system around the perimeter of your home. Such baits incorporate slow-acting toxics taken back to the colonies by foragers, which in time will kill off the population entirely.
Closing Thoughts
Drywood termites are quite serious to deal with; however, they can easily be coped with by recognizing the signs and inspecting completely, along with choosing an appropriate treatment that will save your home from serious damage. Whether you choose to make spot treatments, fumigation, or heat treatment, you still have to practice ongoing vigilance and maintenance in your home to keep the termites at bay.
Keep this in mind: the minute you suspect a termite infestation, don’t wait—early intervention is the key to preventing long-term damage. Consult a professional pest control expert who will help with expert advice on the right type of treatment that can be provided for your home.