Known as “supertermites”, they are the most aggressive species known with a voracious appetite for wood. The termite species has a pale yellow to brownish-yellow color and translucent wings covered with dense, tiny hairs. A distinctive feature is the shape of the head, while native underground termites have rectangular heads, Formosan termite soldiers have heads that taper towards the front and are rounded on the sides. The spawning season for this termite is from May to September.
These termites occur in the early afternoon and when the temperature of the day exceeds 88 degrees Fahrenheit.
San Diego
(KGTV) — San Diego is among the top cities for termites, according to a new Orkin ranking. Western dry-wood termite is responsible for most of the damage caused by dry-wood termites in California. It is found in all southwestern states, up to the north of Sacramento, with the highest incidence along coastal areas.The dry wood western termite resembles the underground termite, except that it is larger (about ½ inch) and is reddish-brown in color. Swarms, or winged adults, have reddish heads unlike underground winged adults, who are all black. These termites do not require contact with the ground, minimum moisture and can infest dead branches of trees. Dry wood termite colonies are small, but there can be multiple colonies in a structure.
They are usually noticed in stacks of fecal pellets ejecting from their ejection orifices. Dry wood termite granules accumulate under these holes and resemble sand in color and texture. Termites often invade our California properties, where they feed on and destroy structural wood and other structural elements. There are three types of termites in our region that we need to protect our properties against dry wood termites, wet wood termites and underground termites.
Underground desert termites are common in the lower deserts of Northwest Mexico, Southern California, and Southern Arizona. Often called “desert submarines”, these termites are able to survive in drier conditions than other types of underground termites. Soldiers are characterized by their thin and straight jaws, in contrast to the relatively thick, curved jaws of Formosa or Eastern Subs. Their small size and ability to forage in dry conditions allow them to occupy a niche not exploited by other underground termite species.
Inspect wood, furniture, and other wooden items for signs of termites before bringing them home. Wood-soil contact makes it easy for termites to come into contact and invade pieces of wood. Dry-wood termites live in dry, healthy wood and derive their moisture requirements from the wood they consume. Leaking pipes, roofs, and gaps around windows and doors will allow the wood inside your home to be damaged by water and lead to termite activity.
A fungal infestation inside your home, such as dry rot fungus, will transport water from wet areas to dry areas, causing healthy wood to damp and damage, providing the perfect place for termites to grow underground termites can cause enormous amounts of damage, because their colonies grow rapidly and reach large proportions. We can send a reliable, respectful, and honest wood repair expert to your San Diego home to assess damage and provide you with repair or replacement options. These termites live underground and build large, convoluted mud pit systems that they use to surface upwards. Termites in humid forests live mainly outdoors because of the large amount of excess moisture they require to survive.
Infestations can occur on any type of wood in your home or business, from structural timbers to wooden picture frames. .
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