Drywood termites can be very destructive pests inside a home or building. They inhabit deep inside wooden structures, creating significant damage over time. Use the tips below to prevent these pests from gaining access to your home.
What Are Drywood Termites?
Drywood termites do not need contact to the ground in order to flourish. They are known to wander up to a mile to locate a home and will develop a colony anywhere they can find a preferable source of wood.
These termites require less moisture than either dampwood or subterranean termites to thrive and can usually be located in attics in which they infest the structural wood. Other items they could infest comprises of dying or dead shrubs and trees, electricity poles, furniture, and fences.
How To Prevent And Control Drywood Termites
Drywood termites are considered silent killers of commercial buildings and homes. These pests require no contact with water or soil to thrive. They can live for years without being detected inside infested wood.
Damage could be extensive by the time home or business owners discover them. It’s important to do some routine inspections to clear out any objects that can attract these pests. Use these tips below to prevent infestations.
Seal Cracks And Crevices
These small pests can easily make their way indoors through tiny gaps and holes in windows and doors. It’s best to secure any openings with screens to block entry points.
You can also use a termite mesh, which is stainless steel with small holes that termites will be unable to penetrate.
Protect Wood Structures And Furniture
A treated wood applied with liquid treatments is equipped to ward off these pests. Most anti-termite treatment solutions will contain chemicals like borate and are sprayed over the wooden furniture and fixtures in order to avoid decay.
Borate spray is an effective repellent that seeps into the wood, keeping termites from going near the piles.
Dispose Of Antique Pieces And Damaged Wood
Old and damaged furniture pieces are attractive to termites. Declutter or remove any antiques to avoid giving the termites a home.
You should also clean up any cellulose-rich materials like cardboard or paper, which can invite other types of pests.
Turn Lights Off At Night
It’s no secret that flying termites are attracted to sources of light. A drywood termite swarm is most commonly observed near light bulbs and lamps while flying.
Avoid attracting these termites by turning off the lights and closing curtains during the night hours. You could also replace floor and porch lights with insect-resistant bulbs that are great at repelling flying ants and winged termites.
Do Not Store Firewood Inside The Home
These termites enjoy feasting on wood, so it’s suggested to keep any piles of scrap wood or firewood at least 20 feet away from your home.
Homes with wooden structures like patios and fences should feature no wood-to-ground contact to defend against any possible infestations.
How To Get Rid Of Drywood Termites
Taking immediate action as soon as you notice a problem is strongly recommended. It is, however, equally as important to be mindful about the treatments used in and around your home.
Different species have different behaviors, so there are treatments specifically designed for termite species. Using the wrong termite solution could be ineffective and potentially dangerous. The best course of action for any home or business owner is to contact the team at Poor Boy Termite Control in Scottsdale, AZ as soon as you notice these pests.
Termite Control Phoenix Metro Area
Poor Boy Termite Control can solve all of you termite issues. We only deal with termites as the name implies. We use thermal imaging, with no drilling or guessing. At Poor Boy Termite Control we detect termites and treat them. If you have a termite infestation, Call Poor Boy Termite Control at (480) 994-4240 and schedule an appointment before the problem gets worse!
