Drywood termites, termite repair companies in Huntington Beach, Sunset Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, termite companies serving Balboa Island California, Termite repair people serving Huntington Beach California

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Western Drywood termite-

Drywood termites are very common in California, particularly along coastal communities. Drywood termites, unlike Subterranean
termites, remain entirely above ground and do not need contact with the soil in order to survive. Drywood termites have much lower
moisture requirements than do Subterranean termites and gain the moisture requirements from the wood that they are ingesting. The
colonies of Drywood termites are much smaller than Subterranean termites. An average Drywood termite colony can have as few as
20-50 members after the first year of infesting new wood and well established colonies can have numbers in the thousands, whereas
an average Subterranean termite colony is much larger with numbers near, or over, one million members. Consequently, the damage
done by Drywood termites, early on, can be rather minimal. Drywood termites are much larger (in size) than Subterranean termites.
Drywood termites will typically swarm on sunny days in the fall around October, November where subterranean termite swarms are
usually in the spring and in particular, after a rain. The distinguishing signs (of a drywood termite infestation) are small piles or
sprinkles of tiny light-brown pellets (roughly 1/25 of an inch in length with rounded ends and 6 depressed sides) or the presence of
shed wings on the floor near doors and windows or in the window sill itself. Note: anobiid wood boring beetles will also eject pellets
from wood that they have fed upon so make certain that the pellets are checked by a professional who can make the distinction.
During the Christmas holiday season, homeowners typically happen upon Drywood termite damage while putting up Christmas lights
when the staple from the staple gun penetrates the fascia board with ease (not adhering to wood because the termites have
damaged the wood just behind the paint). Infestations can normally be found on attic rafters, rafter ties, top-plates, ridge beams or
cripple studs along with exterior fascia boards, rafter tails, eaves, starter boards (ship-lap), patio supporting posts, headers and
exterior window and door trimming. Infestations can also be found in crawlspaces beneath a structure in the rim joists, floor joists and
mud sill plates (if not pressure-treated). They gain entrance into the crawlspace from the ventilation points. In attic infestations, their
entrance is normally the gable vents, roof vents, soffit vents or pipe penetrations. Drywood termite infestations are particularly bad in
the attics of California homes that have wood shake shingles covering the roof.

Winged adults from a Drywood termite colony are approximately 1/2 inch long and are dark brown with a reddish-brown head
and grayish dark colored wings. Treatment types can vary for Drywood termites depending upon the degree of infestation and are
discussed in the treatments section of this site.

There is another species of Drywood termite in California known as the light western drywood termite and it is found from the
desert areas of California and into Arizona. It is referred to as the southern drywood termite. This termite can be found in the drier,
hotter portions of the desert. We have not stumbled upon this species very often, therefore, we will not address this termite in detail.

Treatment measures for Drywood termites can vary depending upon the degree of infestation. Structures that are heavily infested or
infestations that have reached inaccessible portions of the structure should be Fumigated (tented). The gas used in fumigation has
the ability to permeate the entire structure and kill all infestations (accessible or not).

Localized treatment measures are common for the control of Drywood termites and our localized treatments consist of direct
injection into the gallery utilizing a residual pesticide. The pesticide is introduced through several small holes (1/16 inch) which are
drilled into the wood. The holes are then sealed.

We offer 90-day and 1-3 year retreat guarantees on all of our Drywood termite service plans.

See the "Treatment Types" section of this site for information and procedures on controlling Drywood termites.