Termites received their nickname, “silent destroyer” because they can destroy a home – silently and without any warning. And thought it might seem like any type of damage is “damage,” termite species determines the type of damage you’re dealing with. So understanding the types of termite damage can only help you determine the species of termite you’re dealing with.
Know Your Damage
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean Termites live underground and the type of damage they create is honeycomb patterned. They burrow up from their underground colonies and through the wood of your foundation and structural supports. They burrow through softer spring-wood while leaving the external grain intact, but in places where there is serious damage and the wood is able to break off easily, you might reveal their honeycomb patterned galleries that are often filled with mud or soil.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood Termites make their homes in damp and decaying timber, rather than the structural supports of your home. But they still love going for the cellulose in wood, so if there is decaying wood around your home, you’ll want to move it. Dampwood termites eat across the grain and leave behind smooth and “sandpapered” series of chambers and galleries. These are really “silent destroyers,” because when they do attack, there is very little damage that is easily seen.
Drywood Termites
Drywood Termites burrow deeply into wood, and in the process carve out sections of it. The first indicator of a dry wood termite infestation is the appearance of “frass,” which is small fecal pallets. These pallets are usually dark or light brown. These are left behind by the termite as it chows through the cellulose in wooden structural supports.
Need help in Gilbert? Visit Gilbert Termite Control.
Arizona Termite Control
Contact Info:
Termite Control Tempe
1753 E Broadway
STE #101
Tempe AZ 85282
(480) 630-3019
License # 8918
