Drywood Termites
Drywood termites thrive in hot, dry areas like Southern California where the high temperatures and low humidity produce an ideal living environment and will often go unnoticed by homeowners for years. These type of termites may be a bit slower then Subterranean Termites, but over time they can cause severe structural damage. Drywood termites form colonies and during certain times of the year, part of the colony will swarm out in search of dead wood to form new colonies. Ideal nesting places include: eaves, rafters, attic spaces, crawl spaces, window frames, other wood trim and wood furniture.
Drywood termites in particular, have dark & long body shapes, reddish-colored heads and wings. Their larvae can be white and be with or without small antennas on their heads. As Drywood termites make holes in the wood they infest, they push out their fecal material. The fecal material will usually accumulate under the holes that they’ve made. It is grainy, almost sand-like, very coarse and are varied shades of brown in color. You may also see small kick holes in the wood of your home & our technicians will be able to easily spot this and other signs of termite infestations.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean Termites are highly destructive! They are the most destructive insect pests of wood in the United States and have been found in every state, except Alaska. The highest concentration is in the Gulf Coast regions due to humidity levels. But they can also be found throughout Southern California. If you are experiencing swarmers, you will see black (ant-like) insects with wings flying around your home.
Subterranean termites build earthen, shelter tubes (mud tunnels) to protect them from low humidity. These tubes are usually 1/4 to 1 inch wide and ideal nesting places include crawlspaces, wood posts/trims, floors, planters, and underground spaces. Our technicians will be able to spot this and other signs of termite infestations. The inspector will point out these signs to you and recommend a termite control plan.
Bed Bugs
Adult bed bugs are varied shades of brown and are parasitic insects that feed exclusively on blood! They are active at night , but are not completely nocturnal. You may have heard that it’s extremely difficult to get rid of these pests! And you’ve heard right! Bed bugs are easily transposed from clothing, to luggage, bedding & mattresses, and furniture. Some adverse health effects include skin rashes and allergic symptoms.
Thinking about a bedbug fumigation? It takes 3x the amount of fumigant to kill bedbugs-compared to Drywood termites, and if it’s something you intend on doing, contact us for a free estimate!
Powder Post Beetles
The reason for their name is due to the way they feed on the wood and leave behind a fine powder (imagine baby powder). “Powder Post beetle larvae spend months or years inside wood while developing, feeding mainly on the starch content. Their presence is only apparent when they emerge as adults, leaving behind pinhole-sized openings, often called “shot holes”. They may also leave piles of powdery frass below… If wood conditions are right, female beetles may lay their eggs and re-infest the wood, continuing the cycle for generations.
In addition, these beetles are extra difficult to get rid of. That’s because it takes 10x the amount of fumigant to kill these beetles – compared to Drywood termites. “Items that can be infested by Powder Post beetles include wooden tools or tool handles, frames, furniture, gun stocks, books, toys, bamboo, flooring, and structural timbers.”