The Heights is a historic neighborhood in Houston, TX. It is known for its charming homes and tree-lined streets. Unfortunately, The Heights is also home to drywood termites. Drywood termites are a type of termite that does not need moisture to survive. They can live in dry wood, such as the wood that makes up the homes in The Heights. Drywood termites can cause significant damage to homes, and they can be difficult to control.
What are Drywood Termites?
Drywood termites are small insects that are about 1/8 inch long. They are light brown or tan in color, and they have six legs. Drywood termites have a long, thin “waist” that separates their abdomen from their thorax.
Drywood termites live in colonies. A colony can contain thousands of termites, including workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Workers are the most numerous type of termite. They are responsible for building the colony, feeding the other termites, and taking care of the eggs. Soldiers defend the colony from predators. Reproductives are the only termites that can produce eggs.
How Do Drywood Termites Damage Homes IN THE HEIGHTS, TX?
Drywood termites eat wood. They do this by tunneling through the wood, leaving behind a maze of small, interconnected galleries. The galleries are so small that they are often not visible to the naked eye. As drywood termites eat wood, they weaken it. This can lead to structural damage to homes. Drywood termites can also cause damage to furniture, flooring, and other wood objects.
How to Identify Drywood Termites
If you think you may have drywood termites in your home, there are a few things you can look for. These include:
- Drywood termite frass: Drywood termite frass is the termites’ waste product. It is light brown or tan in color, and it has a powdery consistency. Frass may be found around windows and doors, or in other areas where there is dry wood.
- Winged termites: Drywood termites reproduce by swarming. During a swarm, winged termites emerge from the colony and fly in search of a new place to start a colony. Swarmers are light brown or tan in color, and they have long, thin wings.
- Damage to wood: If you see any signs of damage to wood in your home, such as small holes or tunnels, it is possible that you have drywood termites.
How to Prevent Drywood Termites
There are a number of things you can do to prevent drywood termites from infesting your home. These include:
- Keep your home dry: Drywood termites do not need moisture to survive, but they are less likely to infest homes that are kept dry. You can help to keep your home dry by repairing any leaks, running your dehumidifier, and ventilating your home properly.
- Inspect your home for damage: Inspect your home for signs of drywood termite damage on a regular basis. This includes looking for frass, winged termites, and damage to wood.
- Seal up cracks and holes: Drywood termites can enter your home through cracks and holes in the foundation, walls, and other areas. Seal up any cracks and holes with caulk or weatherstripping.
- Plant termite-repelling plants: There are a number of plants that are said to repel termites. These include cypress, eucalyptus, and mint.
- Have your home treated by a pest control professional: If you are concerned about drywood termites, you can have your home treated by a pest control professional. A pest control professional will be able to inspect your home for signs of termite damage and recommend treatment options.
By following these tips, you can help to prevent drywood termites from infesting your home.
IF YOU OR A FRIEND HAS A PROBLEM WITH ANY SPECIES OF TERMITES, YOU NEED TO CALL CPL PEST CONTROL! WE’LL GIVE YOU A FREE INSPECTION AND QUOTE! CALL NOW AT 281-683-6737… AS ALWAYS, ASK TO SPEAK WITH CHRIS! THANKS FOR READING!
