TERMITES DRYWOOD TERMITES FORT MYERS NAPLES SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

DRYWOOD TERMITES

                Drywood Termites as well as other termites dwell in Florida.  Drywood Termites infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil.  Other types of termites need to nest in the soil in order to survive. 

                Drywood Termites are a social insect that live in colonies.  The colonies are composed of kings, queens and soldiers.  There is no worker caste of termite as in other types of termites. The work or foraging for food is done by the immature termites before they become adults.  These nymphs, the immature termites, which are most numerous castes, are white and wingless.  Kings and Queens Termites perform the reproductive function of the colony.  They are light to dark brown and 1/3 to one inch in length.  The Soldiers guard the colony against invaders such as ants.  They are white and wingless with large brownish heads and jaws.  The soldiers and immature remain inside the wood at all times.

                Drywood Termites are more common along coastal areas, although they are also found inland.  Drywood Termite food consists of cellulose obtained from wood.  Infestations of Drywood Termites may be found in almost any product containing cellulose.  They are most commonly found infesting attics, window sills, door frames, woodwork in buildings and furniture.

                Detecting Drywood Termites infestations may be noticed in several ways.  One way is during the early months of the year.  Drywood Termite Kings and Queens emerge from the colonies as swarms.  The purpose of these swarms is to establish new colonies.  The appearance of winged termites in the home is an indication of probable infestation; however, they may have come in from outside.  Swarming termites are attracted to light.  Swarming termites may be found around window sills or lights.  Shortly after emerging from the colony, swarming termites land and lose their wings.  If the swarming termites do not find a suitable nesting area, they will die.

                A common way to detect Drywood Termites is that Drywood Termites unlike other types of termites excrete pellets of partly digested wood.  These pellets are straw-colored to reddish brown and about the size of sand.  The pellets are pushed from the galleries and found on are surfaces beneath the infested wood.

An experienced eye can detect Drywood Termites in an advanced stage of infestation from surface blistering.  Drywood Termites sometimes tunnel close to the surface giving the wood a blistered appearance. 

                Preventative measures for the Drywood Termite is limited at best.  Any opening to windows and attics should be screened.  Any cracks or voids should be caulked or filled with wood filler.  The use of termite resistant woods such as Redwood, Bald Cypress, Mahogany, Spanish cedar, and commercial pressure treated wood will resist Drywood Termites for several years until weathering makes it susceptible to infestation.

                Drywood Termites require a completely different control method; therefore' the infestation must be correctly identified first.  If detected in the early stages and damage is localized, a Drywood Termite colony may be controlled by removing and replacing the damaged wood or by the application of a termite labeled insecticide.  If the infestation is too extensive and advanced for local treatment, it will be necessary to tent and fumigate the entire building.  This method can be costly and leaves no residual protection; it is usually the only alternative when many large termite colonies are present.

                We live in a sea of Termites here in Florida.  It's not if you will get a termite problem, It is when will you get a termite problem.  The University of Florida states that, 2/3's of all new homes in Florida will have a termite problem within 5 years.  To protect your home, have a FREE TERMITE INSPECTION performed yearly from Collier Pest Control.  Then consider one of our economic protective termite services to protect your valuable home form unwanted damage and stress.

                If you live in Naples, Fort Myers, or Southwest Florida call 239-455-4300 Collier Pest Control, Southwest Florida's Pest Authority, for a FREE TERMITE INSPECTION and a complete explanation and free estimate on any of our services, or look us up on our web site at collierpestcontrol.com.  Don't let unwanted guests spoil your beautiful Southwest Florida lifestyle.  Remember, Florida does not have to be shared with insects!

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