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Drywood Termite Biology, Identification, and Control

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Drywood Termite Biology, Identification, and Control ALABAMA A&M AND AUBURN UNIVERSITIES Drywood Termite Biology, Identification, and Control ANR-1170 rywood termites are tabolism (of wood) or through Identification moisture in their environments. primitive termites Identifying drywood termites Some drywood termites make whose damage often is a rather difficult process. As colonies in hot, dry areas such goes unnoticed by with all termite species, the ma- Dhomeowners. They are similar to as southern California, where the jority of the nest is composed of high temperatures and low hu- the familiar subterranean ter- worker individuals. It is a com- 1 midity reduce the available mites . Drywood termites belong mon misconception that size of water from the environment. to the family Kalotermitidae. the worker will indicate whether Since these termites live within Their ecology and behavior are the termite is a drywood or sub- their food, they must find ways distinctly different from the sub- terranean. While many drywood to remove waste from their terranean termites, a fact which species have larger workers than colonies. Drywood termites alters their monitoring and con- do subterranean termites, such make small holes in the wood trol procedures from those meth- as Incisitermes spp., other dry- they infest and occasionally kick ods used for standard subter- wood species have much smaller out fecal pellets or frass. Piles of ranean termites. workers (ex. Cryptotermes spp.). the pellets usually accumulate There is no identification key under these openings. These available for worker termites. Biology dry, smooth, and often powdery- Soldier termites and alates are Drywood termites form looking pellets are very charac- the only types of termites that colonies in a similar manner to teristic of the presence of dry- can be accurately identified. other termites. They have flying wood termites. Unfortunately, drywood termites forms, known as alates, which While most drywood ter- fly out in great numbers from do not maintain large numbers mites only infest dead trees, oth- of soldiers in their colonies. If mature colonies at certain times ers are economically important of the year. This process is available, the soldiers will be pests because they nest in larger than the workers, with known as swarming. Alates in a wooden framing and studs of swarm will find mates and then brownish heads and, in most homes or in commodities such species, large, toothed mandibles flutter in search of dead wood in as wooden furniture. These ter- which to start a colony. Unlike (Figure 1). For alates, collection mites are widely distributed by of the entire termite is best. If the subterranean termites, the people who unknowingly trans- drywood termites form colonies necessary, some level of identifi- port infested furniture. As a re- cation can be made from only within the wood itself rather sult, many pest termites have than in the soil below. the wings. In all cases, termites very wide distributions. should be collected into a vial or Since drywood termites form Drywood termites are not cur- jar of rubbing alcohol before colonies within sound dead rently considered to be estab- being sent for identification. wood, they have no access to lished in Alabama. Recent collec- Identification of termites free water. This is theARCHIVE reason for tions, however, of alate must be done with care, as the their common name, drywood Southeastern drywood termites, alate castes of some drywood termites. Instead, they must ei- Incisitermes snyderi (Light), in species found in Alabama close- ther acquire water through me- Extension samples suggest that ly resemble those of the southern Alabama counties may 1 Formosan subterranean termite. For more information on subterranean be infested with this drywood Alates of both species are similar termites, please see Extension publica- termite. tions ANR-1022, “IPM Tactics for in size and color, and, on first Subterranean Termite Control,” and glance, the wing venation may ANR-1035, “Formosan Subterranean be confused (Table 1 and Termites.” Visit our Web site at: www.aces.edu Figures 2 and 5). Careful exami- frass is found, look on wood Other nonchemical treat- nation of the wings using the surfaces (furniture, cabinets, ments, such as heat treatments, characteristics found in Table 1 even the ceiling) above the pile are coming onto the market for 1 and Figure 2 will help differenti- for a small hole (~ ⁄16th inch in drywood termite control. This ate between these species. diameter), which will probably treatment is similar to fumigation be discolored and sealed by the except that hot air instead of a Control termites inside. This is a kick out fumigant is pumped into the hole and is a location of dry- structure. The air raises the tem- Control of drywood termites wood termite activity. Often, perature of the wood in the is straightforward. Since these when a piece of furniture is sus- structure. The temperature in the species form small colonies, the pected of having a drywood in- wood is maintained long enough biggest problem is finding the festation, it pays to tap the wood to kill the termites. nest location. The location can soundly and look for falling Overall, drywood termites be in furniture or inside of wall frass. It should be fairly easy to are less economically important studs or framing, but not in wall find the kick out holes using this than are their subterranean voids. Wood surfaces can give method. cousins. This is mainly due to some clue to nest locations Once found, drywood ter- their small colony size and rela- (Figure 3). Drywood termites mites can either be spot-treated tively slow rate of feeding. can chew away wood until only by injecting insecticides into the Control of drywood termites is a thin sheet remains separating nest or, for large infestations easier than control for subter- them from the environment. where multiple colonies are in ranean termites because a dry- These thin areas can sometimes the same structure, fumigated. wood termite colony is limited be seen, but usually can be easi- Inspection and treatment should to a single piece of wood or ly felt on the wood surface. Piles only be done by a licensed pest wooden item. This makes it easi- of frass are great indicators of an control operator2. These termites er to treat or remove the entire infestation (Figure 4). Frass do not form long tunnels or for- population. However, this does should be swept away and the age great distances so there is no not mean that an infestation spot examined daily for new need to worry about their find- should be ignored. Given time, a frass. If no new frass appears in ing a refuge from the injection drywood colony can seriously a week or two, then the infesta- or fumigation treatment. damage furniture or the structur- tion may have either moved or al integrity of a wall or roof. died out at that location. If new 2For more information on choosing a pest control operator, please see Extension publication ANR-1101, “How To Choose a Pest Control Company.” Table 1. Comparison of Drywood vs. Subterranean Termite Biologies, Identification, and Control Methods Biology: Termite Type Colony Size Nest Location Fecal pellets Water Mud Tubes Damage Subterranean Large Soil No Required Yes Sheets Drywood Small Wood Yes Not needed No Holes Identification: Termite Type Hairy Wings Body Color Wing Veins (Forward Margin) Body Size Formosan subterranean Yes Light brown Two major veins, few cross veins Large Drywood Sparse hairs Light brown Three major veins, many cross veins Large Native subterranean No Black Two major veins, few cross veins Small Control: Termite TypeARCHIVE Soil Termiticide Fumigation Baiting Spot Treatment Subterranean Yes No Yes No Drywood No Yes No Yes 2 Alabama Cooperative Extension System Figure 1. Drywood termite individuals including workers, a Figure 4. Drywood termite frass soldier, and young individuals 2 veins Formosan Subterranean Termite Wing Cross veins present 3 veins A Southeastern Drywood Termite Wing 2 veins Eastern Subterranean Termite Wing (Native) Stippling represents hairy wing areas B Figure 2. Diagrams of the wings of Formosan and Native subterranean termites compared with drywood termite wings ARCHIVE C Figure 5. Front edges of termite wings where they meet the body of (A) Native subterranean termite; (B) Formosan Figure 3. Drywood termite wood damage (left) compared to subterranean termite; (C) drywood termite subterranean termite wood damage (right) Drywood Termite Biology, Identification, and Control 3 ARCHIVEThomas G. Shelton, Graduate Assistant, Wheeler Foshee III, Extension Specialist, Pesticide Education, and Arthur G. Appel, Professor, all in Entomology and Plant Pathology, Auburn University For more information, call your county Extension office. Look in your tele- phone directory under your county’s name to find the number. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ANR-1170 sex, age, veteran status, or disability. UPS, 5M23, New March 2000, ANR-1170.
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