What Are the Sure Signs of Drywood Termites Infestation?

What Are the Sure Signs of Drywood Termites Infestation? A queen termite can lay at least 1000 eggs in a day. And the laid eggs may take a week or 2 to hatch into nymphs (larva). And after 3-4 molts, the larvae will have grown into termites that can spread throughout your property within hours or days.

With enough food, moisture, and the right environment, termites can establish a colony within a few years. With the colony having at least 1 million termites, it will take at least 3-5 to substantially damage your property.

But why wait for all these cycles of events to take place when you can easily put a halt to a drywood termite infestation in your home? All you need to do is to learn to identify the signs of drywood termites’ infestation. To learn what drywood termites are and how to spot signs of drywood termites easily, please read on.

What are drywood termites?

Drywood termites are long, narrow, and oval-shaped, 6-legged, light brown/cream, 3/8”- 1” sized nonpoisonous insects that can survive without soil contact and typically infest dry wood.

Signs of dry wood termites

Below are some of the telltale signs of drywood termites’ infestation/presence in your home/property;

Presence of flying termites and young termites

Both male and female drywood termites fly during mating and in search of new territories to ‘colonize.’ Often, this swarming season comes to a peak at night from August to November. The presence of these flying termites is an indication of a fully established colony in your home.

Since termites are attracted to light, it will be pretty easy for you to know whether or not you have a drywood termite infestation in your home. Suppose you notice cream-colored insects with a straight antenna, a thick waist, and 2 sets of similar-sized wings swarming around your light fixtures consecutively at least more than 3 times.

In that case, it’s safe to assume that your property is home to drywood termites. Immature drywood termites which are whitish may also be spotted during an infestation or an establishment of a colony.

Consistently spotting piles of wings

After successfully mating, drywood termites will shed their wings. These wings resemble tiny fish scales. Spots that are a hotspot to find the shed termites wings include; under roof shingles near window and door frames.

If you spot these piles of wings at least 2 to 3 times, then you may as well call in a pro as this is a sure sign of drywood termites.

Persistent observation of termite feces

Tiny, oval-shaped, and wooden colored feces, which are also known as frass or termite droplets, are indicative of drywood termites. The color of the frass will often resemble the color of the wood these insects feed on.

Spots to check for frass include; In cracked floor spaces, near wooden doors and windows frames, or under carpets.

If you have a drywood termite infestation in your home after observation and examination on wood and other wooden structure or items, you will notice;

Tunnels, holes, and cracks in wood

Drywood termites create tunnels in their ‘homes’ (your wood) to push out their feces and also when eating on the wood. Small holes and cracks are also another sure sign of the presence of drywood termites in your home or property.

When drywood termites infest your wood/wooden items, they may also appear to be swollen. This happens because for drywood termites to survive, they must create their nests with high moisture content. This, in turn, makes the wood appear to be swollen—a scenario in which most homeowners assume to be caused by water damage and not drywood termite damage.

You may also smell a mold or mildew-like odor. The smell is often pungent and stale, more like a characteristic smell of rotting wood. Please don’t assume these signs or make this a DIY project. To rule out the cause of the odor or the swelling of your wooden structure/items, please hire a professional termite exterminator and let them help you out accordingly.

And if you find out that termites are not the cause, don’t make it a DIY project. Instead, hire the services of a reputable cleaning company and let them restore your home to a livable condition.

Wood produces a hollow sound

Burrowed wood will have a characteristic hollow sound. To confirm whether or not your home’s or building’s structure is home to drywood termites, please consider doing the following;

• Locate a spot where you suspect these insects may be in
• Take a firm hammer and gently hit the spot
• If you feel a hollow sound, then it’s a sure sign you have, or you are about to have an infestation

PS; A negative hollow sound after performing this technique doesn’t rule out the fact that you are not experiencing or about to experience a drywood termites’ infestation.

Presence of termite noises

Drywood termites tend to communicate by making distinctive noises that can be heard; These noises/sounds include;

• A dry rattling or a soft clicking sound- this sound is typically quick and unsteady. Soldier drywood termites will produce this type of sound by banging their heads against a wall or a space they are occupying. The rattling sound is used to warn the colony of an impending danger

• A paper-like rustling sound- this sound is produced when the termites are in motion. This sound isn’t as apparent as the rattling sound. It may require you to place your ear near the surface/structure you suspect drywood termites have infested to hear it

What Are the Sure Signs of Drywood Termites Infestation? – Key takeaway

If you notice persistent and consistent piles of termite wings, feces, and the presence of swarmers and termites, then it’s safe to assume that you may be having a drywood termite issue in your home.

Tunnels and holes on wood and wooden structures and hearing clicking/rattling or rustling sounds are also telltale signs that you have drywood termites in your home.

NOTE! Termite infestation, especially when it’s extensive, shouldn’t be considered to be a DIY project. A wrong move on how you handle this situation may cost you a lot more than what you wanted to save. So, please always consider hiring a pro if you suspect that there may be the presence of drywood termites in your property.