Drywood termites are easier to treat. Most pest control professionals will eliminate an entire colony through the use of small-scale termiticides. However, you can protect your home against dry wood termite infestation by treating all hardwood items early. On the other hand, the best way to eliminate subterranean termites is by using Sentricon.
What is the difference between drywood termites and subterranean termites?
The main difference between these two is that drywood termites infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil, while subterranean termites need contact with soil or water to survive. Read on to learn more about drywood termites vs. subterranean termites.
What are the different types of termites?
There are two common termites to worry about: drywood termites and subterranean termites. The main difference between these two is that drywood termites infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil, while subterranean termites need contact with soil or water to survive.
What do termites eat in drywood?
They only chew on the softest part of the wood found between the grains. Drywood termites eat across the grains, leaving galleries that don’t follow the grain of the wood. If you have neat, lined patterns of destruction that appears to include mud or dirt, subterranean termites are likely the culprit.
What do subterranean termites eat?
Subterranean termites are voracious feeders but they are somewhat picky. They only chew on the softest part of the wood found between the grains. Drywood termites eat across the grains, leaving galleries that don’t follow the grain of the wood.
Which is worse subterranean termites and drywood termites?
Subterranean termites are much more dangerous because they cause more significant damage than drywood termites. Their colonies can develop up to 1 million strong.
How do I know if I have drywood or subterranean termites?
There are two common termites to worry about: drywood termites and subterranean termites. The main difference between these two is that drywood termites infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil, while subterranean termites need contact with soil or water to survive.
What is best treatment for drywood termites?
Sulfuryl fluoride treats all infestations simultaneously and has high levels of efficacy, if correctly applied. Sulfuryl fluoride kills drywood termites within several days.
What chemical is used for drywood termites?
Sulfuryl fluorideSulfuryl fluoride is a gas used to fumigate closed structures and their contents for drywood and Formosan termites, wood infesting beetles, bedbugs, carpet beetles, clothes moths, cockroaches, and rodents. Sulfuryl fluoride is an odorless, colorless gas.
How do you treat drywood termites without tenting?
Microwave is an effective method for localized, drywood termite infestations. This quick method directs microwaves at the infested area, penetrating the wood containing the termites. The microwaves turn to heat, almost instantly killing the termites.
Will subterranean termites eat dry wood?
Drywood termites, in fact, usually live inside the wood structures they feed on. Eating habits differ, too: drywood termites eat all of the wood structure they inhabit, eating across the grain, whereas the subterranean kind eats the softer parts of wood and always with the grain.
Can you spot treat drywood termites?
Spot treatments are an effective way of exterminating drywood termites in the early stages of an infestation—with an emphasis on the word “early.” In this technique, a series of small holes are drilled in wood (by the homeowner or a pro) that has been affected by drywood termites.
How long does it take for drywood termites to cause damage?
three to eight yearsAlthough nobody knows for sure how long it takes for drywood termites to cause damage to structures, some pest control professionals estimate that drywood termite infestations can take as long as three to eight years to cause extensive damage in homes.
How serious are drywood termites?
How serious are drywood termites? Infestations can be limited to one area of the house or can be widespread. Damage is often extensive, as these pests will chew tunnels inside wooden beams or other wooden objects, weakening them from the inside.
What is the most effective treatment for termites?
Borate wood treatments are the most effective and are administered by pest control professionals. Borate is a long-lasting termite killer and repellent, which is soaked deep into the wood grain. It kills any existing termites on contact and prevents the colonies recurrence.
How fast do drywood termites eat wood?
Experts estimate that over a period of about five months, a group of around 60,000 termites can eat the equivalent of one foot of a 2x4 beam. No matter how fast they eat, the pests can do serious damage to homes before residents are even aware of it.
What is the best chemical for fumigation?
Fumigation with formaldehyde vapor is the recognized and most commonly used method because it is a cost-effective procedure.
How are drywood vs subterranean termites' wings different?
Winged termites are called alates. Subterranean alates have one single thick, dark vein that runs parallel to the top of the wing. Drywood termites...
Are there any differences in drywood and subterranean termite nesting habits?
An important difference between the two is that subterranean termites nest in the ground, while drywood termites nest inside the wood they are infe...
Can termite excrement help you tell subterranean and drywood termites apart?
Excrement is one of the most common secondary signs of any pest infestation. Each species of termite has different eating and traveling habits, whi...
What are subterranean and drywood termite feeding patterns?
Subterranean termites are voracious feeders but they are somewhat picky. They only chew on the softest part of the wood found between the grains. D...
How to treat drywood termites?
Remember to check your home for leaky pipes and clogged drains. You can also use a dehumidifier in crawl spaces to reduce moisture. On the other hand, you can eliminate and treat drywood termites by keeping any firewood or lumber away from your home.
How to tell if a termite is drywood or subterranean?
Because of their complex system of veins, a drywood termite’s wings have at least three to four veins in each wing. A subterranean termite has dark brown or black wings with a single thick vein that runs parallel on the top of its wing.
How do termites enter a house?
Both termites enter your house in different ways. For subterranean termites , they enter through the soil in the foundation or any cracks in the foundation walls. These insects also enter through mud tubes, which connect their nest to their food source. Drywood termites don’t build mud tubes. Instead, they enter when drywood termite swarmers fly ...
What are the most common types of termites in the United States?
There are different species of termites in the world, but two of the most common species found in the United States are drywood termites and subterranean termites. So what’s the difference between drywood termites and subterranean termites ?
Do drywood termites live underground?
And since they live underground, homeowners may only detect an infestation once the termites have done significant damage. However, since drywood termites tend to infest and live in dry wood, they pose a greater risk to your home’s structure.
Is subterranean termite more common than drywood termite?
In the United States, subterranean termite infestation s are more common than drywood termite infestations. There is also more damage caused by subterranean termites due to the fact that they have larger colonies.
Do dry wood termites eat furniture?
As their name suggests, drywood termites prefer wood that is dry and they don’t need a lot of moisture to survive. This is why they are more likely to infest and feed on furniture, antiques, or the structure of your home. On the other hand, subterranean termites are pickier with their food and only chew on the softest part of the wood.
What are subterranean termites?
Subterranean termites are smaller than drywood termites. They have light brown, semi-transparent bodies, with darker heads. There are three types of subterranean termites: Workers, soldiers, and reproductive termites. Soldier termites have strong jaws, and are tasked with defending their colonies from other insects. Subterranean termites are capable of growing wings in order to swarm and start a new colony.
What do termites eat?
These termites consume materials that contain cellulose, including the wood structures of buildings. They also consume paper, cotton, and wooden furniture. Since subterranean termites colonize in soil, they’re most likely to infiltrate wood that is nearest to the ground, including floorboards, joists, edging, and wall structures that are near the earth.
Do drywood and subterranean termites live in different habitats?
Although both drywood and subterranean termites are termite species, they live fairly different lives, and they build different habitats. These two termite species even look different! So, it’s no surprise that they need to be treated differently in order to exterminate their colonies. Arizona is home to both of these species, so let’s take some time to assess the similarities and differences between these termites, so that you can better understand your treatment options.
Do drywood termites need moisture?
These termites thrive in dry climates and warm temperatures, and they don’t need much moisture to survive. Drywood colonies grow far slower than subterranean colonies, and their colonies are usually far smaller. Western drywood termites are most active during warm temperatures.
How to prevent drywood termites?
To prevent drywood termites, keep piles of firewood away from your property and regularly inspect your deck or patio for signs of damage . The best defense against termites is to get regular inspections from your local termite control company.
Why is it important to learn how to prevent termites?
An infestation is infamous for being costly, which is why it’s so important to learn how to prevent termites. With our warm and humid environment, termites are a big threat. There are two common termites to worry about: drywood termites and subterranean termites.
What is the color of drywood termites?
Drywood Termites. Drywood termites are brown or white in color, often depending on the caste. They are larger than subterranean termites. These termites live and nest within wooden structures or dry wood. They do not need contact with soil to live.
Is drywood termite a problem?
Drywood Termites vs. Subterranean Termites. Termites are a serious and prominent problem for property owners in Central Florida. An infestation is infamous for being costly, which is why it’s so important to learn how to prevent termites. With our warm and humid environment, termites are a big threat.
What Are Subterranean Termites?
Subterranean termites are by far the number one culprit of wood damage in North America, responsible for more than 95 percent of damage. This is mainly because their colonies can grow to one million strong and consume 15 pounds of wood per week.
What Are Drywood Termites?
Drywood termites live above ground, in trees or wood. They do not need moisture like subterranean termites. They usually have red bodies with black wings.
Termite Treatment
Since these two types of termites enter buildings through distinct routes and can infest different areas of a structure, they warrant specific treatment and prevention methods. These can range from reducing the amount of moisture in and around the building to physical barriers and biological control agents.
Learn More About Drywood vs Subterranean Termites
Now that you have an idea of the difference between drywood vs subterranean termites, you can determine the best course of action for your home. If you are still uncertain, a trained pest control technician can help you assess the threat and make a suitable plan of action.
What is termite bait?
Termite baiting, or termite traps, employs the use of food baits like wood, paper, or cellulose and is mixed with a toxic insecticide substance that kills termites. They’re strategically placed in areas with termite colony infestation, mostly below the ground. Some of the active ingredients in bait stations and most insecticides are diflubenzuron, hexaflumuron, hydramethylnon, lufenuron, and noviflumuron.
Can drywood be used as a termite?
Drywood and subterranean termites are two sources of termite problems in many households. While they mostly differ in their appearance and habits, it goes without saying that they both cause property and structural damage when left unmanaged at homes. Fortunately, the usage of treatments such as bait stations and liquid termiticides can solve these infestations easily.
Subterranean Termites
The major difference between subterranean termites and drywood termites is that subterranean termites live in the ground. They build tunnels in the ground between their nests and their food source. They can nest in the ground under your home or in your crawl space.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites do not need to live in the ground. They can live anywhere they find dry wood – thus, giving them their name. They also do not need much water. That means that they do not need to travel through mud tubs, so their presence is not as easy to spots as subterranean termites.
Get Effective Termite Control to Protect Your Home
You don’t need to identify the kind of termites that are in your home to take action. You need only find a reputable termite control company in Gilbert to perform an inspection and develop an appropriate treatment plan to protect your home.
Gary Dobert
Gary is the co-owner of Varsity Termite and Pest Control, a family owned and operated company in Arizona with over 21 years of experience. They specialize in termite and scorpion control services.
