Termites

Types of Termites

Termites have been around for several million years. Termites play a valuable role in the environment by helping break down fallen trees, logs and branches into organic material that helps enrich the soil.

Termites become pests when people build wooden structures that these wood loving insects love to eat!

Central heating in homes and our moderate San Francisco Bay Area climate allow termites to feed nonstop. There are 40-55 species of termites in the U.S. but there are only three types in the Bay Area that we have to worry about: Dampwood Termites, Drywood Termites, and Subterranean Termites.

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites are the largest species of termite found in California and their colonies can contain up to 4000 termites. Dampwood termites require contact with wood that has a very high moisture content in order to survive.

Any treatment to control a dampwood termite infestation is generally not needed. Replacement of the damaged wood members and control of the excessive moisture condition will eliminate a dampwood termite infestation from your home.

Drywood Termites

Unlike dampwood or subterranean termites, drywood termites don’t need a constant moisture source to flourish. These termites swarm (generally in the spring time) and can fly into any crack or crevice in your home to start their colony. A drywood termite infestation can survive in the attic, sub-area, roof sheathing, rafter tails, and also in windows, windows trim, internal framing, etc.

Drywood termites excrete fecal pellets that resemble saw dust or sand that they push through an exit hole in the wood members. Piles of these pellets are generally how an infestation is discovered. If an infestation is limited, a localized treatment may be effective.

Drywood Termites Treatment

Omega Termite and Pest Control generally uses a product called Termidor Termiticide which we have found to be very effective in treating a localized drywood termite infestation. Orange Oil, which is a reduced risk insecticide, is less toxic than Termidor, but not nearly as effective at eliminating a drywood termite infestation. Termidor is odorless and injected directly into a drywood termite gallery.

It is extremely difficult to determine the full extent of a drywood termite infestation since drywood termites can live in the internal framing and may not be fully detectable. An inspector may find termites that are visible, but may not be able to determine the full extent of the infestation.

A fumigation of the entire home with Vikane gas is often warranted if the infestation extends into inaccessible spaces. The fumigant penetrates deep into all of the wood members of the house and is very effective at eliminating termites -- not only the visible infestation but any hidden drywood termites as well. This process is highly regulated by the State of California and poses little to no risk to the homeowner. Omega Termite and Pest Control has never had a health related complaint as a result of any fumigation we have performed.

Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites cause the vast majority of termite damage in California. This is because their underground colonies can number up to several hundred thousand termites. This species must stay in close contact with the soil and its moisture to prevent their bodies from drying out.

Subterranean termites, like drywood and dampwood termites, have a caste system with a king, queen, soldiers, workers, nymphs and alates. The worker termites travel from the colony up into your home, feed on the wood, then return to the nest and pass nutrients to the remaining termites in the colony through their liquid excrement.

Subterranean Termite Detection

These termites can be detected by the shelter tubes they build to protect themselves from the elements or predators. More often, a home owner will discover a subterranean termite infestation during swarming season (usually spring or fall) when hundreds of winged alates leave the nest to start new colonies. These termite swarmers are attracted to light and often congregate at a window or multiple windows in your home.

Subterranean Termite Treatment

The most effective method in eliminating a subterranean termite infestation is by applying a non-repellent termiticide such as Termidor into the soil. This is a slow acting termiticide that allows the worker termites to pass through the material, take it to the nest, and transfer termidor throughout the entire colony. Omega Termite and Pest Control has been using termidor for 15 years and have had a great success in eliminating the entire subterranean termite colony in our customers’ homes.