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They get their nutrition from the wood which also provides them with shelter, a highway system and an outlet for their waste.
Colonies and their infrastructure are usually constructed inside wood so finding them can be difficult.
If you have wood within your home and live within a 2 hour drive from the ocean in temperate coastal zones, it is highly recommended that you perform routine inspections.
These wood eating insects can be indoors or outdoors, in structures or in furniture, in antique toys or even musical instruments.
And since their tunneling is on the inside, a great deal of damage can occur without any surface indication.
The greatest numbers of drywood termite infestations within the United States occur in Southern California, Southern Florida, and Hawaii.
The closer an area is to the ocean, the cases of infestations intensify.
The very best indicator of an active infestation of drywood termites is the presence of fecal pellets.
These fecal pellets are kicked out of the colony thorugh holes on the outside of the wood by workers.
These piles may accumulate below infestations.
From a distance, they appear as a small pile of sawdust as each pellet is about the size of coarse table salt.
But it isn't comprised of sawdust which is very fluffy and non-consistent.
These fecal pellets have a distinct, 6 sided ridged shape and are about 1/25" long.
Keep in mind that only drywood termites kick out fecal pellets - subterranean termites do not.
Also, drywood termite fecal pellets are much larger than the dust particles created by the boring of powderpost beetles.
Although you must look diligently for the fecal pellets, if they are discovered, it is an easy confirmation that yes, you have drywood termites.
Once you have determined an infestation exists, you must consider ways to get rid of them.
Baiting is effective for some other termites, but is not an option because drywood termites never leave the protection of their galleries.
Perimeter sprays, that are effective for carpenter ants, won't work here either.
Also, treating the soil under and around the structure with termiticide (used for subterranean termites), does not work because drywood termites may never contact the soil.
Most exterminators opt for toxic fumigation of a structure to ensure all colonies are eliminated.
One of the most commonly used synthetic chemical pesticides used for fumigation is Vikane otherwise known as Sulfuryl floride.
Vikane is exceptionally dangerous as it is toxic to humans and causes extreme health issues including death.
The best bet is to use a green product injected directly into the holes from whence the fecal pellets drop.
This can be exceptionally effective, safe for the environment, and easily performed by a homeowner.
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