Termites

 

This is the month when you may begin to see evidence of termites in or around your home. People often have trouble distinguishing termites from ants. There are however, distinct differences. Termites have two sets of equal size wings, beaded antennae and the abdomen is broadly joined to the thorax. Ants have elbowed antennae, two sets of different size wings and the connection between the abdomen and thorax is constricted.
 

Subterranean termites - There are many species of termites, but you only need to be concerned with two general types – the dry wood termite and the subterranean termite. At this time of the year, you may see swarms of subterranean winged adults both indoors and outdoors. They select a mate, fall to the ground and search for a site in the soil to start a new colony. The male and female adults remain together for many years with the female laying thousands of eggs. Subterranean termites are present in most residential landscapes. The presence of the little white worker termites in mulch, in rotting logs or swarming adults outside of your home does not necessarily mean that they will eventually infest your house, but of course it is possible. However, if you see winged adults flying in your house, then you probably have an infestation which will need treatment.

Termite infestations need to be treated by a professional. Call 2-3 reputable companies for a free inspection. If you have questions call the Extension Office. Left untreated, a large subterranean colony can eat up to one pound of wood per day – 365 pounds per year. There are excellent soil insecticide and bait treatments available for control of subterranean termites. This treatment should give your house five or more years of protection from termites. Be sure to ask the company about the warrantee.
 

Drywood termites - Drywood termites will infest dry wood as the name implies and are not associated with soil and only need minimal amounts of moisture which they readily find in rafters. They exist in separate small colonies and are not as destructive as subterranean termites; however lack of treatment can lead to serious structural problems. They also have mating flights like subterranean termites. The mated pair search for suitable wood to infest which might be another rafter in your attic.

The treatment for drywood termites is altogether different from subterranean termites as the infestation is an aerial one not associated with soil, so it is critical to identify the winged adults or the type of damage. An identifying characteristic of drywood termites is the presence of fecal pellets which they push out of the infested wood. The pellets are small (not powder-like), can be different colors from red to white depending on the wood, and have indentations on the sides. If you are unsure of the type of infestation you have, bring a sample to the Extension Office and I will examine it. 

 

 

The treatment of choice is tenting in which the structure is enclosed in a plastic tarp. After the tarp is secured over the house, a volatile gas is pumped into the structure. The gas penetrates the wood and kills the termites. There is no residual with the gas treatment, so future re-infestation is possible. There are other less expensive treatments in which the suspected wood is drilled and an insecticide is injected into the void occupied by the termites. The problem with the drilling treatment is that colonies can be missed.
 

What can you do around your home?

·         Do not leave wood scraps lying around your yard.

·         Do not place mulch up against your foundation – any type of mulch as this increases the capacity of the soil to hold moisture.

·         Repair leaky hose bibs.

·         Direct sprinklers away from the house.

·         Stucco or veneer exterior finish should be 6-8 inches above grade so you can see mud tubes. Subterranean termites will travel up from the soil behind stucco and veneers and on into the house. 

·         Do not disturb soil around foundation as this may impact previous termite treatments.

·         Watch for drywood termite fecal pellets.

·         Repair screens and caulk cracks and crevices in structure.

·         Keep shrubs at least 2-3 feet away from foundation – termites will travel under foundations following tree roots.

 

 

Written by
David Shibles
Urban Horticulturist
Polk County Extension Service