A Handy Guide To Drywood Termite Control In Las Vegas

There are two types of termites in this world, ones that chew through damp wood like subterranean termites, and those that prefer dry wood, like drywood termites. The question is, are drywood termites as bad as damp wood termites? You are going to find this out today. Here is a handy guide to drywood termite control to help you combat these pests around your Las Vegas home.

Are Drywood Termites Worse Than Subterranean Termites?

It is hard to tell which type of termite is more destructive. To help you make an informed decision, here are some facts you should know. Subterranean termites live underground, they mostly eat water-damaged, rotting, or decaying wood, and they suffer when exposed to the elements. In order to invade homes, these pests will often build mud tubes up external foundations.

Drywood termites, on the other hand, do not require mud tubes to get into a home but rather invade by swarming the exterior of a structure of wood before tunneling inside. Another difference between these pests is how they tunnel through wood. Drywood termites eat through the grain while subterranean termites eat along it. All in all, based on statistics and behaviors, subterranean termites are more destructive. This does not mean, however, that drywood termites are not a threat to your home.

What Are Drywood Swarmers?

Once a year, fully mature colonies of drywood termites will swarm. This is a process where winged reproductive members are produced by nests and sent out to establish new colonies. If you see an influx of what appears to be flying ants with long oval-shaped wings around your home, a drywood termite infestation could be on its way. If you find a large number of swarmers inside, an infestation might already exist. This is because the only logical place they could have come from is from inside your walls.

How Destructive Are Drywood Termites?

The thing that makes drywood termites so destructive is not how fast they chew through wood but rather how long they are able to do so without getting caught. Most often, homeowners do not notice these pests until damage starts to present itself around their living areas. Some damage you can expect to find with a long-term infestation includes frass (termite droppings) in piles at the bases of walls, overly squeaky floorboards, bubbling/peeling paint, and hollow-sounding wood. Check your home for signs of an infestation before implementing any DIY prevention tips.

DIY Prevention Tips For Drywood Termites

There are more than a few ways to reduce your home’s chances of a termite infestation. To make things simple, here is a breakdown of the best termite prevention tips:

• Identify cracks, crevices, and holes in your home’s exterior. Seal these off using a caulking gun.
• Repair weathered and untreated wood around your home’s exterior.
• Apply a fresh coat of paint to the wood around your home.
• Install bug screens over attic and foundational vents.
• Make sure all of your window/door screens are in good working condition.
• Keep unscreened windows and doors closed as much as possible.

How Professionals Handle Drywood Termites

The good news is that drywood termites only infest small areas at a time, unlike subterranean termites which can have hundreds of thousands of members all chewing away at a single structure. Keeping this in mind, these pests are still a serious concern in our area. If you suspect your home is infested, do not hesitate to get professional pest control in Las Vegas.

At Pest Control Solutions Inc, we offer both single service and ongoing treatments to handle invasive and destructive termites. Contact us now to talk through your home pest control options and find a solution that best fits you and your Las Vegas home’s individual needs.