Drywood termites are among the worst of pests. Far from being just a nuisance, termites are a threat to the structural integrity of your home. Unlike other kinds of termites, drywood termites don’t need moisture or contact with soil to invade your home, making it easier for them to infest your property.
Read on to learn what you can do to fight off these pests and why Trad’s Pest Control provides the best pest control in Jacksonville.
How To Identify A Drywood Termite Infestation
Drywood termites live directly in the wood they eat. Aside from when they reproduce, these pests don’t leave their nests. It is possible to have a termite problem and be unaware of it, as the chances of seeing the culprits are slim. That means you will have to look for other signs of termite infestation.
Signs of drywood termites include:
- Piles of frass (termite droppings and sawdust).
- Pinholes in drywall.
- Deterioration on completely dry wood that looks like water damage.
- Rustling, clicking, or rattling sounds inside walls.
- Warped walls, bucked floors, sagging ceilings, and other structural damage.
- Poorly fitting windows and doors.
Another concerning sign is spotting swarms of winged termites or piles of shed wings. Winged termites are mature adults seeking to reproduce and create new nests. These reproductive adults tend to stay close to their original colony when they form new nests. If you have a termite swarm on your property, it’s a good bet that you not only have had an established colony for a while, but you also have several satellite nests throughout your home. In this case, your problem could be more urgent than most, making it crucial to enlist professional termite control fast.
The Extent Of Damage Drywood Termites Can Cause To A Home
A termite problem can cause tremendous damage. Many people think termites will just mess up their deck or make it harder to open and close their windows. However, termites can do a lot worse than that. These harmful pests can attack your home’s floor joists, support beams, and wooden wall framing. If uncontested, drywood termites can do enough structural damage to render your home unfit to live in. All these factors make it vital to keep termites away from your property, as an infestation brings the looming threat of a structural collapse.
Natural Ways To Prevent Drywood Termites Around Your Home
Termite removal is a bigger and more expensive hassle than avoiding termites altogether. Effective termite control starts with termite prevention. Because soil and moisture don’t need to be present for drywood termites to invade, this kind of termite requires precise preventative measures to hinder properly. Although keeping soil away from the foundation of your home will provide little help, there are still plenty of things you can do:
- Ensure all wood in your home is treated with a borate-based wood preservative.
- Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your home’s exterior.
- Trim all tree and shrub branches away from your home’s siding and foundation.
- Seal all cracks and holes in your home’s exterior.
- Have yearly inspections for termite activity.
The Most Effective Termite Control For Jacksonville Homeowners
If you suspect you have drywood termites, it’s important to schedule termite removal right away. Every minute these pests are in your home is a minute they are actively destroying your property. To save your home from further damage, contact Trad’s Pest Control. Our experts will thoroughly inspect your home and eliminate every termite and colony in it. Call us or visit our contact page to get started today!