Common Termites in California
The warm and varied climate of California makes it a hotspot for termite activity. These pests are among the most widespread across the state, and knowing the warning signs is crucial to protecting your home. There are 3 primary species found in California: drywood, dampwood, and subterranean. Each one of them has its behaviors, signs of presence, and nesting habits. Read on to find out what sets them apart.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites do not need contact with soil to survive as they live entirely within dry wood, thus the appellation states. They love to infest furniture, support beams, and wooden frames. They also feed on cellulose and are frequently introduced through infested firewood, lumber, or secondhand furniture pieces.
These species are most active during warmer months, specifically during summer and spring, but can also persist all year in California’s mild climate. They are normally found near attics, wooden doorframes, or window sills.
Types of Drywood Termites in a Colony
Here are the types of drywood termites in every colony:
- Swarmers (Reproductives). These are the largest in the group, about half an inch in length. They have two pairs of wings, light in the back and dark in front. They are responsible for setting up new colonies.
- Workers.Wingless and pale, they are the smallest of the group (around ⅛ inch). Workers do all the feeding and internal colony care.
- Soldiers. They are slightly smaller, featuring large, dark-colored heads and prominent jaws. Their role is to defend the drywood termite colony. Since these termites tunnel deep into the wood, they can be difficult to locate until damage becomes noticeable.
How to Prevent Drywood Termites
Below are some practical tips on how you can prevent drywood termites:
- Seal gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and foundations.
- Keep firewood stacked above ground and away from exterior walls.
- Avoid bringing secondhand or untreated wooden furniture pieces inside your home without conducting a thorough inspection/li>
- Remove any infested wooden elements right away to prevent the spread of termites.
Treatment for Drywood Termites
Controlling drywood termites normally involves localized spot treatments or fumigation. Small and confined termite problems may respond well to professional pesticide treatment injections in targeted areas, whereas widespread termite infestations require fumigation or tenting to get rid of the entire colony.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites live underground and are known for constructing mud tubes to penetrate above-ground wood. Such tubes protect them from light and dehydration while they forage. Since they feed from indoors and outdoors, structural damage can go undetected until it becomes severe.
Yes, subterranean termites are the most destructive species in California. They love to discreetly work behind walls, under floors, or underneath your foundation.
Types of Subterranean Termites Commonly Found in California
There are three key species of subterranean termites in California. Although they share similar habits, every type features unique traits that affect how far they travel and how much damage they can cause:
- Western Subterranean Termites. They are the most common type of subterranean termites in California, and they can form massive colonies that travel up to 300 feet from their nests searching for food sources.
- Formosan Subterranean Termites. These species are recognized for being extra aggressive. They build huge colonies and can forage as far as 600 feet away. Also, these species are rapid-moving and extremely destructive.
- Desert Subterranean Termites.The least common of the three, and they tend to form small colonies, typically staying within 100 feet of their nests. However, they can still cause serious localized structural damage.
How to Stop Subterranean Termites Before They Spread
The prevention of subterranean termites begins with keeping soil and wood completely separate. They need that certain connection to survive and multiply, so you can start by reducing the risk: seal the cracks in your foundation, remove dead wood from your yard, and keep wood piles away from your exterior walls. If subterranean termites have already made their way into your home or business, the following treatment methods may be applied:
- Baiting Systems. These include the installation of bait stations that attract foraging termites. Once consumed, the bait disrupts the termite colony from the inside.
- Keep firewood stacked above ground and away from exterior walls.
- Chemical-Based Barriers. A professional termite specialist can apply termiticides around your foundation or affected spots to block the access of termites and eradicate their current population.
Suspect Termites? Elite1 Termite Control Can Help
Understanding the various termite species in the state of California can surely help you catch infestations at their earliest stage. If you have noticed damaged wood, mud tubes, or winged insects around your property, don’t hesitate to contact Elite1 Termite Control today. We’ll provide rigorous inspections and tailored treatments that effectively avert the issue before it worsens.