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DRYWOOD TERMITES
Wood damaged by TERMITES. |
Other: |
Powderpost Termites
Subterranean Termites
Termites |
| Species |
Incisitermes spp.
Kalotermes sp.
Cryptotermes spp.
Reticulitermes spp. |
| Common Hosts: |
Hardwoods
Softwoods
Structural timber of buildings |
Description |
Adult -- REPRODUCTIVE - approximately 8-16 mm long; light brown to black head and body, 2 pairs of clear opaque wings; thick waist, antennae many beaded.
SOLDIER - approximately 6-10 mm long; light to dark brown enlarged head; prominent mouthparts; creamy to grayish white body; wingless.
Nymph or Adult -- WORKER - approximately 4-8 mm long; soft creamy to grayish-white head and body; wingless; usually most prevalent type in a nest. |
Importance |
Termites are vital to the decomposition and recycling of plant cellulose. However, they also infest buildings, telephone poles, fence posts, furniture, and living trees. Typically, a termite infestation is not detected until damages are extensive. |
Biology
and Habits |
Reproductive adults swarm year-round. Each couple sheds their wings, mate, and begin a new nest. Within a few years, a termite colony contains hundreds to thousands of termites. The original couple may live several years. Termites have protozoa or bacteria (one-celled animals) in their guts which digest wood cellulose into a form usable by the termites. |
Number
of Generations |
Several generations per year. |
Signs
of Infestation |
Adult termites swarming at windows; shed wings near windows, especially January-May. Mud tubes (6-25 mm wide) from soil to infested wood: subterranean termites only. Small pellets (approximately 1 mm wide) of frass, yellowish to reddish-brown: dry-wood termites only. Fine sawdust at base of furniture: powderpost termites only. Surface blisters on wood: drywood termites only. Hollow, papery sound when infested wood is tapped. Tunnels in soft spring wood: subterranean termites. Tunnels in spring and summer wood: drywood and powderpost termites. ROOTS as well as above-ground parts of a tree are susceptible to termite infestation. |
| Similar Damage |
FLORIDA CARPENTER ANT: clean galleries; coarse sawdust; ants have thin waists and elbowed antennae. |
Control |
Preventive treatment is highly recommended: Proper building construction. Appropriate insecticide treatment. Treatment of wood with a preservative. Proper disposal of waste wood at site. Termite exclusion with putty, paint, and screens. Regular exterior and interior checks. Remedial treatment may include: Replacement of damaged wood. Appropriate insecticide treatment. Fumigation. Proper disposal of infested wood. Continuing checks for future infestations. |
Bulletin No. 196-A | Printed October, 1983 |
Contact the
Forest Health Section
