Homebuyers and new homeowners have more than a few concerns on their plate when it comes to how their investment will hold up over the years. We’d bargain one of those concerns is termites. One of the major dangers of termites lies in their ability to go undetected for years and do major structural damage before they’re discovered. One specific type of termite in Maryland defies some termite expectations, the drywood termite.

How To Identify Drywood Termites

It’s estimated that around 2,000 types of termites are causing chaos worldwide, and each of them poses unique problems. Drywood termites have a few quirks that differentiate them from the more common termites that require proximity to moist soil or wood. They can be identified by these characteristics:

  • Up to 1 inch long
  • Creamy-white to light brown
  • Long, narrow, and oval-shaped
  • Form colonies of up to 2,500 members
  • Swarm on sunny days after a rise in temperature
  • Cause damage to support beams, floors, and walls

The drywood termite’s ability to distance itself from moist soil means they are more of a threat to your home’s integral structures, especially those in the attic. When they feed across the grain in both soft and hardwood this can cause a collapse in tree branches or buildings.

How To Spot An Infestation

Since these pests are so small and generally linger in more uninhabited areas, living deep inside the wood, it can be hard to spot an infestation. If you’re on the lookout, then keep an eye on these termite signs:

  • Fecal pellets
  • Shed wings
  • Damaged wood
  • Small holes around 2mm in diameter
  • Blistering of the wood from tunnels too close to the surface

Regardless of the signs, it may be next to impossible for an untrained individual to catch and deal with a termite infestation on their own. Not only are they hard to see with the naked eye, but they may also be concealing their presence behind walls and other structures not easily inspected.

How To Prevent Drywood Termite Infestations

Drywood termites can get into the home through a few different methods. Preventing these pathways inside is your best bet for reducing the likelihood of an infestation.

  • Make sure woodpiles are at least twenty feet away from the home.
  • Seal all holes, cracks, and crevices around the house with silicone-based caulk.
  • Stain or paint exposed wood to make it less appealing to termites.
  • Check antique furniture or purchases of old wood before allowing them into the house.
  • Make sure doors and windows are fully sealed and attic and crawlspace vents are screened with 20-mesh screen wire.
  • Keep tree limbs trimmed back from the house and from hanging over the roof.

Regardless of prevention methods, sometimes termites have existed in your home since before you owned it, or they are more determined than your prevention is effective. Either way, it’s important to get professional help as soon as you detect an infestation.

Pest Czar Is Your Baltimore Pest Control Professional

Termite prevention is best accomplished by regular visits from a termite control professional. The signs are hard to spot, and the consequences for waiting are too expensive. Pest Czar offers several pest prevention and control plans that can fit your needs, budget, and keep your home pest-free before the damage is done, not after.

We want to keep your family and home safe and worry-free, so we also offer environmentally friendly pest control in Baltimore. Whatever your needs, we have options for you.